Important Financial Aid Information

• Grants/gift awards – will be automatically applied to your account on the disbursement date according to the number of credits you are taking
• Loans/borrowed awards – must be applied for and paid back. Please refer to your award letter for information about the three (3) steps needed to process your loans
• Work study/earned awards – paid out after timesheets are submitted. Information about work-study and how to find jobs are explained in your award letter if you were awarded work-study.

Sign up for direct deposit

• Log into eServices
• Click on the Financial Aid tab
• Choose Direct Deposit set-up
• Follow the prompts

For general loan information refer to Federal Student Aid, an official website of the United States government.

You will find information about current interest rates, loan limits, federal requirements for the student loan programs and much more.

After you apply for your loans, the money will be credited to your account if you are enrolled and still attending classes; if not the loan money will be returned to the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition is due on the fifth business day of each semester.  Upcoming tuition due dates are:

• Fall Semester 2026: August 28, 2026
• Spring Semester 2027: January 15, 2027
• Summer Semester 2027: May 28, 2027

Students are financially obligated for all classes they register for, and all tuition and fees need to be paid in full by the tuition due date. Payments can be made online, by phone, or in person at either campus.

Paper invoices are not mailed. Please review your account online at eServices.

Students may have their registration canceled unless at least one of the following requirements has been met by the tuition due date. A partial payment will prevent your courses from being dropped, however, an additional $30 payment plan fee may be added to bills not paid in full by the 15th day of the semester. (Full payment requires that the balance due on your account be at zero or you are on an active payment plan).

• Your tuition and fees are paid in full.
• You have paid 15% of the tuition and fees due or made a $300 down payment towards tuition and fees, whichever is less.
• You have applied for financial aid and your FAFSA results have been received by the College.
• You have submitted a Third Party Billing Authorization to the Business Office.
• You have enrolled in the Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program.
• You have established a payment plan with Nelnet in eServices.
• You have completed and signed a VA deferment form.

PLEASE NOTE: While Ridgewater College does participate in the registration cancellation for nonpayment process (RCFN), the above factors can prevent this from happening. It is your responsibility to pay for the courses that you are registered for and, if you do not plan on attending, to cancel your registration within the timelines allowed. If these dates are not followed, you may be financially and academically responsible for those classes.

The student is responsible for the payment of all expenses, such as payments for tuition and fees, purchases of books and supplies, and other related items when billed. Late fees will be added, and you will not be able to register for the next semester until your account balance is at zero.

The MN Dream Act, also known as the Prosperity Act, provides certain opportunities to students who are undocumented or have Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) status and meet eligibility criteria:

1. Attended a Minnesota high school for at least 3 years (does not have to be consecutive); and
2. Graduated from a Minnesota high school or earned a GED in Minnesota; and
3. Registered with the U.S. Selective Service (applies only to males 18 to 25 years old); and
4. Provide documentation to show they have applied for lawful immigration status, but only if federal process exists for a student to do so (does not include applying for DACA status). There is currently no federal process in place, so documentation is currently not required.

The complete details on eligibility and the Dream Act Application are available at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Dream Act website. If you have more questions or need to arrange for translation services, please contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education grant unit at 800-567-3866. If you have questions on the Dream Act application as it pertains to Ridgewater College, please contact our equity & inclusion specialist.