In recognition of outstanding academic achievements, the University offers a number of academic scholarships for incoming freshmen entering the University fall semester. These highly competitive awards range from $1,000 for one year to $48,000 over four years.
See our complete listing of:
The University of Minnesota works with many generous donors to secure private scholarship support. Last year, thousands of students received scholarships from private donations. The number of students receiving private support is constantly increasing as the University continues its major scholarship fundraising drive.
To be considered for University-wide scholarships, simply submit the application for freshman admission. There is no separate application! Admitted freshmen are considered for these University-wide scholarships based on an overall assessment of their admission application.
A few University scholarships require a separate application; a listing of these scholarships is provided here. The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) also has a separate scholarship application for incoming freshmen admitted to CLA. A listing of CLA scholarships and a link to the application are available at http://scholarships.cla.umn.edu/incoming_freshmen/.
University of Minnesota scholarships are highly competitive. 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 primary and secondary 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.
Individual circumstances such as those listed below are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application and may factor into individual scholarship decisions. Enrolling a diverse student body is essential to achieving the development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education. Our university community is strengthened by our students representing different races, economic backgrounds, geographic origins, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexualities, talents, and beliefs.
Our holistic review also takes into consideration the individual circumstances that make each student unique. We consider the following secondary factors in our review.
If you haven't already done so, apply for admission. Full consideration for academic scholarships is given to students who submit a complete application for freshman admission by either the first (November 1) or second (January 1) application deadlines.
Scholarship award notices will be sent to new freshman scholarship recipients by the end of March of their senior year of high school.
Yes. One Stop Student Services manages a web page with information about scholarships for enrolled U of M students. This page includes links to college and academic department scholarships as well as a scholarship search tool for enrolled students. Several scholarships are offered to enrolled students each year.
No. Freshman academic scholarships are only awarded to new freshmen entering the University fall semester.
Scholarships for transfer students are handled by the student's college or department. For details, you should contact your college of interest.
Under the Minnesota Dream Act, which is also known as The Prosperity Act, undocumented Minnesota high school graduates meeting certain criteria can receive scholarships and financial aid from the University of Minnesota. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education will determine who is eligible to benefit from the Dream Act. Generally, students are eligible if they have attended a Minnesota high school for at least three years, have graduated from a Minnesota high school (or earned a GED in Minnesota), and who have registered with the U.S. Selective Service (applies only to males 18 to 25 years old). The complete details on eligibility and a Dream Act Application are available at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Dream Act website.
The University of Minnesota offers two scholarship programs on the Raise.Me platform. Find out more.
All international freshmen and transfer students on F1 visas who complete their applications for admission by the deadlines are automatically considered for a Global Excellence Scholarship. For the 2018-19 academic year, the freshmen scholarships are $10,000 or $5,000 per year for up to four years. Transfer students may receive $5,000 per year for up to three years when entering the University in the Fall semester. Transfer students entering in Spring semester will be considered for scholarship on a funds-available basis. Awards are competitive and based on academic merit. Students selected for awards are among the best in their class and show a record of very strong academic preparation. There is no separate scholarship application required; students are considered based on an overall assessment of their on-time admission application. View more information on admission requirements and review process.
New international freshmen admitted to the University will also be considered for the Undergraduate Research Scholarship. Recipients receive $1,400 for participation in a faculty sponsored University of Minnesota research project and up to an additional $300 in support of supplies and expenses related to their research project.
International students are not eligible to apply for U.S. state and federal financial aid programs. Most of the international undergraduates enrolled on our campus are supported by personal or family funds, scholarships or loans from their home country, or private agencies. International students must be able to cover all educational expenses. If you are unable to pay your expenses at the University at this time, we urge you to delay your application until you are able to do so.
