University-Wide Academic Scholarships

University of Minnesota academic scholarships are highly competitive. Admitted freshmen are considered for these scholarships based on an overall assessment of the application for freshman admission. Full consideration for academic scholarships is given to students who submit a complete freshman application by the corresponding application deadline dates. Scholarship recipients are notified by the end of March of their senior year.

No separate application is needed, though demonstration of financial need is required for certain academic scholarships.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or be eligible for the Minnesota Dream Act. Please note: there are a limited number of scholarships that are available for international students.


Scholarship decisions are based on a very careful, overall assessment of each admitted student's academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the admission application, based on the academic and context factors listed below. The strongest consideration in the decision is given to the primary factors, and no single factor is the deciding factor in the decision.

Holistic Review

Academic Factors

Because the greatest predictor of college success is academic preparation, the strongest consideration in the decision is given to a student's high school record. Our promise to you is that we will look at the overall trend of your high school performance to understand your academic preparation. The following academic factors are considered:

  • Coursework through high school graduation (Admitted students typically exceed the University's high school requirements. See course requirements.)
  • Grades in academic coursework
  • Class rank/Grade point average (if available)
  • Rigor of academic curriculum based on what is available in the high school (including enrollment in honors, AP, IB, A-Level, or college-level courses when available.)
  • ACT or SAT scores (Submitting an ACT/SAT score is not required on applications for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 terms. All students*, whether or not they submit a test score, will receive full consideration for admission, scholarships, and the University Honors Program. For more information, please visit our ACT/SAT FAQ
  • English Proficiency test score (when required)
  • Applicant's academic interests (We review a student's academic preparation related to the major/college for which they are seeking admission.)

Context Factors

Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application. Enrolling a diverse student body—with students bringing differing experiences, talents, and perspectives to their scholarly community—is essential to achieving the learning and development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education. 

Our holistic review takes into consideration the individual circumstances that make each individual student unique. While we do not consider an applicant's race and ethnicity, we consider the following context factors in our decision review:

  • Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude, or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record
  • Participation in extracurricular activities related to your intended major
  • Strong commitment to community service, leadership, and educational involvement
  • Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement
  • First-generation college student
  • Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
  • Contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, or geographic diversity of the student body
  • Personal or extenuating circumstances
  • Military service
  • Information received in open-ended questions
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University-Wide Scholarships

AwardAmount

Scholarship consideration is based on the holistic review of factors listed above.

Additional criteria are listed below by scholarship.

Bentson Family Scholarship$24,000 over four yearsPreference given to students of the Jewish faith
Calmenson Family San Diego Chapter ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of a high school in San Diego County or Riverside County, California
Dan Roland Legacy ScholarshipAmount variesStudying toward a degree in the area of business and/or entrepreneurship with a preference for students who have been accepted into the Carlson School of Management
First generation college student, able to demonstrate leadership and hard work, and able to show evidence of engagement in student and professional activities and/or extracurricular activities.
Minnesota resident
Dawn Christine Hanna Memorial ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Owatonna High School in Owatonna, Minnesota
Dr. Robert Mossefin ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Red Wing High School in Red Wing, Minnesota
Ethel Curry ScholarshipAmount varies, renewable up to four yearsMust present written documentation of tribal enrollment by May 1 of your senior year
Gamma Omicron Beta ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to legacies of Gamma Omicron Beta Sorority
Gold Scholar AwardAmount varies, up to $10,000 each year for four yearsPreference is given to National Merit Finalists
Recipients must list the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as their first-choice college by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation deadline
Harold Soine Memorial ScholarshipAmount varies 
Harriet B. & Ester Snyder Merrill ScholarshipAmount varies 
Irene Fraser Jackson ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to students interested in Library Sciences
Iron Range Scholarship$1,000-$4,000 each year for four yearsMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Note: This is a highly competitive scholarship, where most awardees are in the top 10% of a graduating class.
John O. and Ann R. Kangas ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Moose Lake High School
Josephine L. Merriam ScholarshipAmount varies 
Judith Russell Henry and Patrick James Henry ScholarshipAmount varies 
Kermit V. Haugan & Gladys Haugan Johnson ScholarshipAmount variesPublic high school graduate in Richfield, Minnesota, Two Harbors, Minnesota, North Branch, Minnesota or Horicon, Wisconsin
Kevin Herkenhoff Memorial ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Melody Jewell Endowed ScholarshipAmount variesPursuing a teaching degree in a STEM field
Melvin Levin ScholarshipAmount varies 
Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship$6,500 each year for four yearsMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Interested in English/creative writing, fine arts, foreign language, math, science, or social studies
National Merit University of Minnesota Scholarship$1,000 each year for four yearsEligible National Merit Finalists who list the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as their first-college choice by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation deadline
National Scholarship$2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 each year for four yearsResident of any state, excluding Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Manitoba
Nils & Pat Hasselmo Undergraduate ScholarshipAmount varies 
North Texas UMAA Chapter ScholarshipAmount variesResident of North Texas
Oelkers ScholarshipAmount variesFirst generation college student, graduates from a MN high school located in School District #279, 281, 11, 15
Preference for students studying STEM or economics
Presidential Scholarship$1,000 - $10,000 each year for four years 
Puckett Scholars Program$4,000 over four yearsHigh school senior from Minnesota
Preference given to students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership and/or community involvement, financial need, and who have excellent potential to succeed at the college level
Richard Gary Stone ScholarshipAmount varies 
Robert & Gail Buuck Scholarship$5,000 each year for four yearsProvides support for students with disabilities. Disability is defined as a mobility, hearing, vision, or systemic disability that substantially limits at least one major life activity.
Ruby Hackett and Weldon Jones Scholarship$5,000 each year for four yearsMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
S.I. Marvin ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for children or grandchildren of current or retired employees of Marvin Windows and Doors or its subsidiaries
Schott Family ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate from the Chicago area of Illinois
Preference for first generation students
Sig Hagen Scholarship$500 for one yearNew York resident
TLD ScholarshipAmount variesSupport students who have lost a parent to cancer.
University Honors Program Scholarship$2,000 each year for four years 
University of Minnesota Alumni Association Freshman Leadership Incentive Scholarship$2,000 or $3,000 for one yearMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Preference given to first-generation college students
Financial need considered
University of Minnesota Alumni Association ScholarshipAmount varies 
Wigley Family ScholarshipAmount variesFrom Blue Earth county
Preference for students from Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial High School

Need-Based Academic Scholarships

Demonstration of financial need is required for the following academic scholarships. To be considered for these awards, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1 of their senior year.

AwardAmount

Scholarship consideration is based on the holistic review of factors listed above.

Additional criteria are listed below by scholarship.

Alvin B. and Bailie Sheehan ScholarshipAmount variesResident of Hennepin County, Minnesota
American Indian Environmental Leadership ScholarshipAmount variesCommitment to the protection/understanding of natural resources and the environment
Tribal enrollment
Preference for students enrolled in CSE and from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin
Anna Rose and Lawrence Biever ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to students who participated in 4-H
Annexstad Family Foundation Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship$25,000 over four yearsPreference given to Minnesota residents
Anthony Garofalo Scholarship AwardAmount varies
  • Graduate of Hill-Murray (Maplewood, MN)
  • Pursuing a degree in STEM
  • Financial need
Arthur Barlow ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Sleepy Eye High School in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
Potential, leadership, and community involvement
Barbara and Robert de la Vega ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to students majoring in the fields of math, engineering, and science.
Bay Area UMAA ScholarshipAmount variesCalifornia resident
Preference given to students from the eleven-county Bay Area
Bentson-Niblick U of M Merit Scholarship$2,500 each year for four yearsPreference given to National Merit Finalists
Bill & Carol Riley ScholarshipAmount varies 
Brian L. Fitterer Scholarship$5,000 each year for four yearsPreference given to students majoring in the fields of Math, Applied Econ, Business, Medicine & Health, Engineering, Computer Science, or Accounting
Bud and Norma Crewdson ScholarshipAmount varies 
Buuck Family Scholarship$5,000 each year for four yearsCommitment to volunteerism
Carl & Eloise Pohlad ScholarshipAmount varies 
Carol A. and Richard R. Wagner Family ScholarshipAmount variesPell eligible
Chase Allen-Lloyd Passauer Memorial Undergraduate ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for students pursuing a degree in political science or philosophy, as well as demonstrated leadership, community service, and volunteerism.
Coca-Cola Scholarship$5,000 for one year 
Dan and Rachel Root Family ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible

Attending any U of M campus
Dave Larson Scholarship$21,500 over four yearsMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Doepke ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to tribally enrolled students from Minnesota
Donovan O. Adamek ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of a public high school in Todd County, Minnesota
Dr. Joe and Maria Yamamoto ScholarshipAmount varies 
Gateway ScholarshipAmount variesFirst-generation

From Minnesota with preference for the Twin Cities metro area

Living in University campus housing during first year

Preference for students who demonstrate leadership and volunteerism
 
George and Dadee Reilly Opportunity ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
 
Germain J. Vigeant ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to graduates from Harding High School in St. Paul, Minnesota
Harriet Snow Sutton Memorial Scholarship$500 for one year 
Harry F. Albert ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to Minnesota high school graduates
Hendrik and Marri Oskam Humanities ScholarshipAmount variesPursuing a degree in the humanities
Hendrik and Marri Oskam Sciences ScholarshipAmount variesPursuing a degree in the sciences
Herb and Annette Nichols Undergraduate Scholarship in MathematicsAmount variesPursuing a degree in mathematics

Preference for graduates of MN School District #281 high schools
Herbert E. Olson ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Bemidji High School in Bemidji, Minnesota
Horatio Alger-Annexstad Scholarship$25,000 over four yearsPreference given to first generation students
Horatio Alger-Davis Scholarship$25,000 over four yearsPreference given to first generation students
Ida Leviton Sanders ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible; Attending any U of M campus
Immigrant Opportunity ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for 1st or 2nd generation immigrants
Jack Schmidt ScholarshipAmount variesStudents who have been directly affected by addiction and/or depression and is a transfer student
James L. Ballard ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to first generation students
Preference for students who demonstrate leadership in their community by working, volunteering, or participating in sports, clubs, or other school activities
Jay & Rose Phillips Family Scholarship$2,000 each year for two yearsMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Supports Presidential Scholarship recipients
Larry and Mary Laukka ScholarshipAmount variesDemonstrate emotional intelligence through leadership skills and motivation
Laura and Arthur Brecher ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to students who are enrolled or eligible for enrollment in the federally recognized tribe the Oglala Sioux Tribe/Oglala Lakota Nation
Preference given to students studying in the areas of nursing, health, pre-med, or other health related fields.
Laura and Matthew Murphy ScholarshipAmount variesFrom non-metropolitan areas of Greater Minnesota or North Dakota

Pursuing a degree in a freshman-admitting college other than business and agricultural sciences
Leon & Ida Finkelstein Memorial ScholarshipAmount variesMinnesota resident or eligible for MN Dream Act
Preference given to children of Jewish parents who have lost a parent due to divorce or death.
Leslie ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Minnesota high schools in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul
Preference given to first generation students
Levi and Baumgarten Families ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
Lotus Scholarship$10,000 each year for four yearsPreference for students participating in the University Honors Program
Mai Vang and Neng Chua Thao ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for first generation students
Martha Enbody ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of a Hennepin County high school in Minnesota
Mary L. Edwards ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Preference given to students who plan to major in science or engineering
Miesbauer Family ScholarshipAmount variesFrom the Minnesota Iron Range (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and Saint Louis counties)

Preference for students pursuing a degree in accounting or nursing
Mildred Hunter Evans ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to a resident of Lyon County, Minnesota
Mindy Siebenaler Bopp and Alexander Bopp ScholarshipAmount varies
  • Preference given to first generation students
  • Preference for a graduate from a Minnesota public high school
Minnesota United Players present the Forever United ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible; From the Twin Cities metro area
 
Morton S. Katz Scholarship$1,000 each year for four years 
Naik Storlie Family ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
Nicollet Chapter of AA ScholarshipAmount variesStudents who have been directly affected by alcoholism in their life.
Norbert and Eve Johnson ScholarshipAmount varies 
Olseth Family Scholarship$23,000 over four yearsAcademic performance
Demonstrated leadership
Omega Psi Phi - Xi Chapter Scholarship in memory of Roy WilkinsAmount variesPell-eligible; Preference for students who demonstrate a history of community service; 
Parker Family ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
Pass Family ScholarshipAmount variesStudent in the U of M Honors Program
Pathways to Opportunity ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible; Attending any U of M campus
Patricia and John Bowen ScholarshipAmount variesPreference given to first generation students
Preference for students who demonstrate leadership in their community by working, volunteering, or participating in sports, clubs, or other school activities
Peter J. Reed Opportunity ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
Power of One Scholarship$5,000 for one yearExceptional leadership
Randy Weinberg and Barbara Gengler Endowed ScholarshipAmount variesPell-eligible
Results Foundation ScholarshipAmount variesGraduates of high schools in the cities of Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota
Preference for those that have engaged in community based volunteerism
Roger Young Opportunity ScholarshipAmount variesPursuing a degree in the College of Liberal Arts or the Carlson School of Management
S.I. Marvin ScholarshipAmount variesChild or grandchild of current or retired employees of Hormel Foods Corporation or its subsidiaries
Spencer and Nancy D. Holmes "petite ville" ScholarshipAmount variesFrom non-metropolitan areas of Greater Minnesota

Preference for students pursuing a degree in human health sciences, food sciences, or nutrition
St. Paul Central ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of St. Paul Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota
Preference given to students with strong math aptitude
Tien Bach and Phuong-Nga Phan ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for first generation students
Timothy Phillips ScholarshipAmount variesPreference for students who have graduated from New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School, or students from the Minnesota counties of Freeborn and Steele
Tobin and Susan Jones ScholarshipAmount variesStudents who are enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe
UMAA Washington, D.C. Chapter ScholarshipAmount variesReside in Washington, D.C. the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the State of Maryland
Vulcan Community Charities ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of a high school located in St. Paul, Minnesota
Commitment to community service
Warren C. Locke ScholarshipAmount variesGraduate of South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Wen Ping Pan ScholarshipAmount varies 
Yetka Family ScholarshipAmount varies 

International Scholarships

There are a limited number of scholarships that are available for international students. Visit Costs, Scholarships, and Visas for International Students for more information.