Tuition Grant Program for Unemployed Minnesotans
Normandale piloted the Unemployed Minnesotans Tuition Grant (UMTG) program for Spring Semester 2009. The pilot program has ended.
The program will NOT be offered for Summer sessions because classes are expected to be full by the end of registration. No decisions have yet been made about the program's continuation for Fall semester 2009. A decision will be announced in late-May 2009.
Please watch the Normandale homepage or Ask Norm for further announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is eligible for the Tuition Grant Program?
Any Minnesotan who is a new entering student at Normandale Community College, eligible for the state's unemployment insurance at the time of their registration and wishing to enroll for courses in the Spring Semester 2009 is eligible to participate in Normandale's Tuition Grant Program.
What does the Tuition Grant Program provide?
New entering students to Normandale for Spring Semester 2009 (which begins January 12, 2009) eligible for the Tuition Grant Program will receive a grant that eliminates tuition for all eligible courses included in the program. In addition, the normal admission application fee of $20 will be reimbursed and the Advising and Registration of $25 will be waived for eligible students.
Who are "new entering students?"
A new entering student is defined as a student who has not previously enrolled at Normandale Community College.
Are all of Normandale's courses included in the Tuition Grant Program?
No. Normandale is preparing a list of more than 40 courses that will be included in the Tuition Grant Program. This course list will be released no later than Wednesday, December 17, 2009.
Is there a limit on the number of courses I can take through the Tuition Grant Program?
Yes, not more than 8 total course credits may be used through the Tuition Grant Program. A course is normally 3 or 4 credits. The number of credits associated with a course is published in the Normandale Academic catalog and course schedule. They are available on the Normandale website at: www.normandale.edu/courses/index.cfm.
How do I apply for the Tuition Grant Program?
Students interested in participating in the Tuition Grant Program must apply for admission to Normandale Community College. If an individual holds a high school diploma or GED, they are eligible for admission to Normandale. Students may complete an application for admission on-line by clicking "Apply" under "Future Students" on the Normandale home page available at www.normandale.edu. Students should pay the $20 application fee though it will be credited to their student account when their eligibility for the Tuition Grant Program is confirmed.
Are there additional steps that need to be completed after applying for admission?
Yes, like all new entering students at Normandale Community College, there are two additional steps you need to take after being accepted for admission and before you are able to register for classes.
First, individuals interested in taking advantage of the Tuition Grant Program will need to complete the Course Readiness Assessment (CRA). This assessment determines the students' readiness for college-level academic work in reading, writing and mathematics. Results of the assessment are used to determine a new entering student's placement in either college-level or development courses based on their skill level. This determination, in turn, helps assure that new entering students register for courses where their likelihood for academic success is maximized as long as they apply themselves in meeting the course and instructor's expectations. Information on the Course Readiness Assessment, including practice questions, is available at: www.normandale.edu/admissions/requirementsFAQs.cfm#CRA.
Over the next three weeks, the Course Readiness Assessment for Spring Semester 2009 may be completed during the following hours on a walk-in basis:
December 15, 16, 17 10:15 AM to 3:15 PM
December 18 11:15 AM to 6:00 PM
December 22, 23, 24 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
December 25 CLOSED
December 26 No assessments
December 29, 30, 31 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
January 1 CLOSED
January 2 No assessments
Individuals arriving for walk-in CRA must check in at the Normandale Office of Admissions (College Services Building, Room 1037). A photo ID is required to take the CRA. Approximately 3-3.5 hours should be reserved to take the Course Readiness Assessment.
A CRA session will also be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2008 by reservation only. Reservations for the Saturday session can be made on-line at www.normandale.edu/schedule.
Second, new entering students must attend an Advising and Registration session on campus. These sessions provide background information on the academic expectations of the college as well as small group advising on academic planning and initial course selection with Normandale's staff of professional counselors. A number of Advising and Registration sessions are available prior to the start of Spring Semester on Monday, January 12, 2009. For further information on when Advising and Registration sessions will be held, please contact the Office of Admissions at (952) 487-8201.
Does everyone have to take the CRA and attend an Advising and Registration session?
Yes, it is in best interest of all new entering students to complete the Course Readiness Assessment (CRA) and, also, to attend an Advising and Registration session. The CRA and the Advising and Registration sessions provide important information that helps ensure academic success for students transitioning into college.
How does Normandale know if I'm eligible for unemployment insurance when I register?
Students wishing to participate in the Tuition Grant Program must provide the Normandale Office of Admissions with a copy of the letter confirming unemployment insurance eligibility at the time they register for Spring Semester 2009 courses.
How does attending college affect my unemployment insurance benefits?
Normandale cannot provide counsel regarding your eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. However, Normandale has received assurances from the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that individuals enrolling in college courses while also receiving unemployment insurance benefits will remain eligible for those benefits as long as the individual is still able to meet each of the State's unemployment insurance benefit criteria. Further information on how attending school affects benefit payment is available on the DEED website FAQ at: www.uimn.org/ui/faq_elig.htm.
Will I have to apply for federal and state financial aid to be eligible for the Tuition Grant Program?
Students wishing to participate in the Tuition Grant Program are not required but are strongly encouraged to apply for federal and state financial aid. Application for federal and state financial aid eligibility is strongly encouraged because assistance from those sources may provide financial help toward fees, materials, textbooks, living expenses and other costs associated with college that are not covered by the Tuition Grant Program.
Additional information on applying for federal and state financial aid as well as other options for financing college costs is available by clicking on "Financing" under "Future Students" on the Normandale home page at www.normandale.edu.
Is this a one-semester program or am I guaranteed this rate until I complete my program?
The Tuition Grant Program is a pilot program. As such, at this time, it is only good for courses offered during Spring Semester 2009.
I am a current Normandale student, can I still participate?
No, current and previous Normandale students are not eligible for the Tuition Grant Program. The Program is open only to new entering Normandale students (students who are not now nor have previously attended Normandale).
Does the Tuition Grant Program grant include fees, materials, textbooks and other costs?
No, the Tuition Grant Program covers on the cost of tuition. Students are responsible for all other costs associated with their attending college include fees, materials, textbooks and any other costs.
I'm self-employed and not eligible for Minnesota's unemployment insurance program, can I still participate in the Tuition Grant Program?
No, only Minnesota residents receiving unemployment insurance from the State of Minnesota are eligible for the Tuition Grant Program.
I'm a Minnesota resident but receive unemployment insurance from another state, can I still participate in the Tuition Grant Program?
No, only Minnesota residents receiving unemployment insurance from the State of Minnesota are eligible for the Tuition Grant Program.
How can Normandale afford to provide this program?
Like all colleges and universities, not every class at Normandale fills to its exact capacity. As a result, seats in some courses are "empty" and can be made available at little or no additional cost due to the fact that the room, instructor, heat, lights and support equipment are already providing instruction to those who have already enrolled in the class. Normandale has allocated strategic initiative funds that would ordinarily be used for various new programs to provide this grant to unemployed Minnesotans due to the unprecedented escalation of unemployment in the State in recent months as well as Normandale's commitment to provide Minnesotans access high quality, financially affordable education and retraining opportunities.
Why aren't current or past Normandale students eligible for this program?
In keeping with its mission as a community college, Normandale wishes to extend access to its educational courses and programs to as many individuals as possible. Especially at a time of serious state revenue shortfalls, Normandale is using empty seats in existing courses to keep the cost of this program as close to zero as possible. Allowing current or past students to participate in the program would be too expensive and, therefore, cost prohibitive for the College. Though Normandale acknowledges it is not true in every case, in general, students who are currently enrolled or have enrolled at Normandale in the past have founds ways to enroll using existing financial aid programs or other means. As such, though it is not a perfect policy for all students, the College has decided to limit the program to new entering students in an effort to maximize the grant and focus it on those who are in the most immediate need of that assistance.
