Minnesota

Application Deadlines:

Check back here for updates!

Grants and Scholarships:

State Grant Program

• Students apply for a State Grant by completing the FAFSA.
• Schools Participating in the State Grant Program

Reduced Out-of-State Tuition Options (main website):

• Reciprocity: Minnesota has agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, and a limited agreement with Iowa Lakes Community College in northwestern Iowa to provide in-state tuition to Minnesota residents.
  • Here's How to Apply for Reciprocity
• Midwest Student Exchange Program: Minnesota residents (including eligible undocumented students), may be eligible for reduced tuition at a limited number of Midwest public and private schools and programs of study in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin through the Midwest Student Exchange Program.

Scholarships Offered By Minnesota Institutions

Minnesota SELF Student Loan

• A long-term, low-interest student loan administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship

EMPOWER Scholarship

• The EMPOWER Scholarship is available for Minnesota residents OR students who will be attending school in Minnesota or Western Wisconsin from ethnically diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare

Information for Undocumented and DACA Students

Resources for Undocumented Students and MN Dream Act

• Includes information found below about scholarships, the MN Dream Act, NAVIGATE MN, and what to do if you don't qualify for the MN Dream Act:
  • Scholarships for Latino Students
  • Scholarships for Undocumented Students
  • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund scholarship list
  • Scholarships for Hispanics
  • Page Education Foundation Scholarships
  • NAVIGATE MN List of Scholarships for Undocumented Students
  • Golden Door Scholarship Program

MN Dream Act

• Eligible undocumented students and eligible DACA students can apply for state financial aid and receive in-state tuition rates at Minnesota public colleges/universities by applying for the MN Dream Act.
  • Click the link for comprehensive resources and information about this process

Additionally, check out the MN Dream Act Fact Sheet and the MN Dream Act Application.

• Work Study: If the student has work authorization, they are eligible for State Work Study Jobs.
• Reciprocity: Undocumented students are also included in tuition reciprocity agreements between Minnesota residents and public colleges/universities in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota (this requires a separate application)
• Midwest Student Exchange Program: Undocumented students are also eligible for reduced tuition at a limited number of Midwest public and private schools and programs of study in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin (known as the Midwest Student Exchange Program)

SELF Loan Program

• Undocumented students are also eligible for the Minnesota State SELF Student Loan (however it does require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

NAVIGATE MN website

• "A leadership development program for immigrant young adults in Minnesota facing financial, social, and legal barriers to achieve their dreams through changing unjust systems"

If you don't qualify for the MN Dream Act

• Even if you do not qualify for the MN Dream Act, some public colleges and universities in Minnesota offer in-state tuition to all of their students, regardless of immigration status or state of residence. The following public institutions charge the in-state tuition rate to all students:
  • Alexandria Technical College: Alexandria
  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College: Cambridge and Coon Rapids
  • Anoka Technical College: Anoka
  • Bemidji State University: Bemidji
  • Central Lakes College: Brainerd and Staples
  • Century College: White Bear Lake
  • Dakota County Technical College: Rosemount
  • Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
  • Hennepin Technical College: Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie
  • Inver Hills Community College: Inver Grove Heights
  • Minneapolis Community and Technical College: Minneapolis
  • Minnesota State College-Southeast: Red Wing and Winona
  • Minnesota State Community and Technical College: Fergus Falls, Moorhead, Wadena and Detroit Lakes
  • Minnesota West College: Jackson, Granite Falls, Worthington, Pipestone, Canby
  • Normandale Community College: Bloomington
  • North Hennepin Community College: Brooklyn Park
  • Northland College: Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks
  • Northwest Technical College: Bemidji
  • Ridgewater College: Willmar and Hutchinson
  • Riverland College: Austin and Albert Lea
  • Rochester Community and Technical College: Rochester
  • St. Cloud Technical College: St. Cloud
  • Saint Paul College: St. Paul
  • South Central College: Mankato and Faribault
  • Southwest Minnesota State University: Marshall
  • University of Minnesota, Crookston: Crookston

Other Resources:

College Possible

• A non-profit organization, predominantly staffed by AmeriCorps members, committed to making college admission and success possible for low-income students through intensive curriculum of coaching and support. It includes in-school and virtual models for high school juniors/seniors and for college students to provide preparation and support that guides students through the college application process, the college transition, and college graduation.

Get Ready!

• An early intervention and college awareness program that helps prepare 7th-12th grade students and their families with college planning information on career and higher education opportunities.
  • Includes links for Academic Summer Opportunities

Summer Nudging Program

Minnesota Office of Higher Education website

• Includes videos in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali, all about paying for college in Minnesota. It also includes a video about how families of First Generation students can handle paying for college!
  • Powerpoint presentations can be found here.

National Scholarships that support First Generation or Underrepresented Minority Students

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education website

• This link includes links to websites for the:
  • Minnesota Private College Council
  • Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
  • University of Minnesota System
  • Minnesota Transfer
  • Students United Scholarships for students attending on of MinnState's seven state universities
  • Minnesota Higher Education for International Students and College Search for International Students

Other links for Aid for Students with Special Circumstances

• Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant
• Minnesota Indian Scholarship
• Minnesota Educational Assistance for War Orphans
• Minnesota Veterans' Dependents Assistance Program
• Education Vouchers for Former Youth in Care
• Federal Grants for Aspiring Teachers (TEACH Grant)

Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program

• This program was established to provide student loan repayment assistance to teachers providing classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area in Minnesota. The application is offered yearly in April and you must already be teaching in Minnesota in a shortage area with a teaching license.

Federal John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program

• This is a federal program administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Selected recipients will receive educational loan repayments in exchange for agreeing to serve full-time as a public prosecutor or defender in Minnesota for three additional years. The program accepts applications from lawyers every three years and applicants must have already worked as a public prosecutor or public defender for at least three years.