Application fee waived at MNSU during October
For students who don’t want to bother with paying for an application fee, there is an option for them.
Minnesota State University, Mankato is waiving the $20 application fee for new students during October. This opportunity is also known as “College Knowledge Month.”
“The big message regarding College Knowledge Month is encouraging students to start the application process early in their senior year of high school,” said Brian Jones, MNSU’s Admissions Director. “By waiving application fees, we hope to provide an opportunity for all students that want to go to college to start the process early. Applying early can help students qualify for more financial aid and scholarships and help them find housing on campus easier. ”
MNSU is one of 25 Minnesota higher education institutions participating in College Knowledge Month, a state-wide effort to help seniors in high school start planning for their future endeavors. Launched 45 years ago, it aims to increase the number of students applying to college.
For some students, the free application is something they haven’t heard of before and were excited to know exists for other students who may need it.
Raegen Ziemann, a MNSU freshmen said, “I know some schools offer free applications during October and I was very happy when I heard that Mankato did it too.”
“I had no idea you could apply for free during October. I applied at the last minute, so I didn’t get the free application. I procrastinate too much,” Gavin Lindemann, a freshman, explained.
Hannah Maxwell, a freshman here at MNSU said, “I applied in July of 2020 and had no idea about the free application month.”
Hanna Swisher, a freshman, said, “I couldn’t have applied during October. I had planned to go to a different college this year, but the day before I was going to leave I made the decision to come to Mankato and applied that day. I barely made the due date.”
Other MNSU students knew about the free application ahead of time and made sure to take advantage of this opportunity.
Ethan White, a sophomore at MNSU, stated, “I knew about free application month so of course I applied during October. Every penny counts. Who wouldn’t take advantage of free money?”
Aside from financial stresses, there are other fearful things that have to do with college, such as moving away and simply starting a new life. It particularly impacts first-generation college students, and students who haven’t thought about attending college. By waving the application fee it can greatly encourage students to take a significant step by applying to college their senior year.
Mariah Palmby, a freshman at MNSU had an experience very similar to this.
“I wasn’t even thinking of going to college. I was so busy with my own life and hadn’t toured anywhere yet. My close friends weren’t even going to college, so it wasn’t really on my radar.”
Despite this, Palmby found out about the free application and made sure to use this source.
“But I applied in October because I had nothing to lose without an application fee. Now I’m a full time student and will hopefully graduate with a nursing degree.”