Shared Learning
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Listed below are a collection of resources and articles centered on attainment, affordability, and persistence.
State of the State:
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In 2025 Minnesota ranked 48th in the nation for student-to-counselor ratios. Minnesota has an average of 530 students per counselor over doubling the recommended 250.
In practice, this means counselors have a very limited capacity for guidance that they are able to provide. Many students don’t get the guidance they need to navigate college applications, financial aid, or career pathways because counselors are overwhelmed.
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Minnesota was ranked 32nd in the nation with only 55.0% of all high school seniors in the class of 2025 completing the FAFSA and an estimated 43.1% for low income seniors in high school completing the FAFSA.
Minnesota’s low FAFSA completion rate means many students—especially those from low-income backgrounds—may be missing out on critical financial aid that could make college more affordable or attainable. For counselors, this highlights an urgent need for targeted outreach, clearer guidance, and sustained support to help more students complete the FAFSA and access available resources.
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Minnesota legislature set a goal of 70% attainment of postsecondary certificate or degree by 2025. This goal was missed by 6.5 percent overall, however as demonstrated by the above graph, BIPOC communities fell significantly shorter than their white counterparts.
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Occupations requiring no education, high school, or some college (but no degree) have the biggest forecast declines (-0.3% to -0.8% ), while roles typically requiring a master’s degree are expected to grow the most (+0.7)
This means that degree attainment in its current state is unable to keep up with the growing number of jobs requiring them. Specialized skills are becoming more valuable which is making persistence in education and degree attainment even more lucrative to acquire a family sustaining career.
Resources
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Minnesota Goes to College
Great website for college planning and financial resource discovery.
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Northstar Promise
Is a scholarship for low income college applicants, but also contains data on college financials.
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FAFSA Tracker
The National College Attainment Network’s FAFSA Tracker with info about current senior’s FAFSA completion by state.
Articles
Member Spotlight: Colin Peters, Saint Paul Public Schools
When I sat down to talk with one of our members, Colin Peters, one thing was very clear: his belief in students.
Stronger Together: How CBOs and Colleges Are Working to Support Student Success
Students are best served when community-based organizations and higher education institutions work as partners.
Member Spotlight: Jen Alger and the Power of Helping Students Navigate the Path to College
Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Jen Alger, Scholarship Program Manager at the Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids, for a conversation that quickly moved beyond scholarships and into a deeper discussion about college access, persistence, and what students truly need to thrive.
Minnesota’s New Standard Financial Aid Offer Letter
For many students and families, comparing financial aid offers can feel like comparing apples to oranges. Colleges often use different formats, terminology, and cost breakdowns, making it difficult to understand the true cost of attendance and make informed enrollment decisions.
MinnesotaCAN Quarterly Meeting Recap: Building Momentum for College Attainment in Minnesota
On August 5, Minnesota College Attainment Network (MinnesotaCAN) members gathered for the organization's quarterly meeting to reconnect, learn from statewide and national experts, and discuss emerging opportunities and challenges in college access, affordability, and workforce development.
Workforce Pell Advisor FAQ
Learn about this new initiative created by the Federal Government, which programs and students qualify, how funding works, and how to apply.
Minnesota College Attainment Network Launches to Strengthen Statewide Support for Student Success
A new statewide network connects organizations, educators, and advocates to expand equitable pathways to college and family-sustaining careers.
