Academic fit
Does the school offer the intended major? Ask about program accreditation where relevant, course availability, changing majors, class sizes and access to faculty.
For parents, guardians & families
Their next chapter.
Your questions matter.
You want more than an acceptance letter. You want your graduate to find a school where they can learn, belong, receive support and build a future your family can afford.
Daytime summit attendance is free for students and families.
Learn about the schools
Which HBCU is right for your graduate?
Start with your student’s interests, learning needs and goals. Then compare individual institutions. Campus culture, academic programs, resources, location and cost differ from school to school. A familiar name or a great visit is a starting point; the right fit comes from asking deeper questions together.
Belonging & culture
Ask current students about daily life, campus traditions, leadership opportunities, clubs, community and what helped them feel at home. Your graduate’s own perspective matters.
Support from day one
Explore orientation, advising, tutoring, mentoring, accessibility services and how a student gets help when a class or transition becomes difficult.
Life away from home
Compare housing, meals, transportation, travel from Minnesota, residence-hall policies, campus safety and access to health and counseling services.
Career & opportunity
Ask about internships, research, career advising, employer connections, alumni networks and outcomes in the student’s intended program.
The full financial picture
Compare the complete cost of attendance, grants and scholarships, remaining family costs and any borrowing. Ask what changes after the first year.
Build a family shortlist
- Ask your graduate what they want to study, what makes them feel supported and what kind of campus feels right.
- Choose three schools to compare using the same questions and a realistic family budget.
- Review school websites and official data, speak with admissions and financial aid, and arrange a campus visit or virtual tour where possible.
- Keep the student involved in every decision. Discuss expectations for communication, independence and asking for help.
Use school-level data as one part of the conversation. Confirm program details and your student’s circumstances directly with each institution.
Affording college & financial aid
Understand the offer.
Know what your family will pay.
A large “financial aid” total does not necessarily mean a large discount. Separate grants and scholarships from loans and work-study when comparing offers.
| Aid type | What families should understand | Ask the school |
|---|---|---|
| Grants & scholarships | Generally do not require repayment when their conditions are met. | Is it renewable? What GPA, enrollment or other conditions apply? |
| Student loans | Borrowed money that must be repaid, generally with interest. | What amount is being borrowed, by whom, and under what terms? |
| Parent borrowing | A parent loan is debt for the parent, not a scholarship for the student. | Is this shown as optional financing or included in the advertised aid total? |
| Work-study | Money earned through eligible work; it is not an upfront tuition discount. | How are jobs obtained, what hours are practical, and when are wages paid? |
Start with the full cost
Include tuition, required fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses. Ask which costs appear on the bill and which your student pays separately.
Compare net price
Subtract grants and scholarships from the full cost of attendance. Keep loans and work-study separate so the remaining cost is visible. Use each school’s net price calculator for an estimate before an actual aid offer arrives.
Complete the right applications
Review the FAFSA for the student’s enrollment year, along with state and institutional aid requirements. Check each school’s deadlines and required next steps on its official financial aid website.
Ask about changing circumstances
If your family’s finances have changed, ask the financial aid office about its special-circumstances review process and documentation requirements. A review does not guarantee additional aid.
Before committing: ask for a written aid offer, renewable-award conditions, remaining balance, payment deadlines and deposit terms. Build a plan for later years as well as the first semester. Do not count an unconfirmed scholarship as available money.
General planning information. Current eligibility, application instructions, costs and awards must be confirmed through official sources and each school’s financial aid office.
What will their experience be like?
Bring these questions to the conversation.
Will my graduate be supported academically?
- Who advises first-year students, and how often do they meet?
- How does a student access tutoring or get help before falling behind?
- Are required courses available when needed to graduate on time?
How will they find community and independence?
- What does orientation include, and how do first-year students build friendships?
- What clubs, cultural activities and leadership opportunities fit their interests?
- What do current students wish their families had known?
What about safety, housing and well-being?
- How are residence halls staffed, and how are urgent concerns handled?
- What health, counseling and accessibility services are available?
- What happens during breaks, and what transportation options exist?
How can our family stay involved appropriately?
- Who is the family contact for general questions or emergencies?
- What permissions does our student need to provide for access to records?
- How can we support independence while agreeing on communication and check-ins?
What should we know before accepting an offer?
- What is the complete annual cost after grants and scholarships?
- Which awards are renewable, and what conditions could change them?
- What deposits, housing deadlines and refund terms apply?
Start now. Arrive with a plan.
Make the summit part of
a bigger college plan.
Our goal is to help students understand the process, connect with HBCUs and work toward college commitments before February 19–20, 2027. Families can register interests now; students can build an early profile for up to three schools.
HBCUTwinCities coordinates organizer follow-up. Each institution controls admission, official application requirements and financial aid decisions.
Giving back to the next generation
Celebrating legacy.
Investing in children’s education.
HBCU TwinCities will make a contribution to support children’s education and announce the details at the February 19–20, 2027 event. Come celebrate the community helping make educational opportunity possible.
The contribution amount, recipient and how the support will be used will be announced at the event.
Official resources for your next step
U.S. Department of Education · College Scorecard
Federal Student Aid · Evaluating aid offers
U.S. Department of Education · Net price calculators
Do not submit tax returns, financial account details or student aid login credentials through summit forms. Send financial aid documents only through the institution’s official secure process.