University of Minnesota National Scholarship Opportunities

The University of Minnesota (UMN) Twin Cities is a leading public research university offering various national scholarship opportunities to attract talented students from across the United States. These scholarships aim to make the University of Minnesota a valuable option for students nationwide. This article provides information on the various scholarship opportunities available at the University of Minnesota, specifically focusing on national scholarships for non-resident freshmen.

National Scholarships for Non-Resident Freshmen

The University of Minnesota National Scholarship is specifically designed for residents of any state, excluding Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The UMN National Scholarship grants up to $60,000 to students from across the U.S. who reside in eligible states. These scholarships help offset the cost of out-of-state tuition, making the University of Minnesota a more accessible and attractive option for national students.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for national scholarships, applicants must be:

Residents of a state other than Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible under the Minnesota Dream Act.
Incoming freshmen.

Application and Deadlines

Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for these scholarships based on an overall assessment of their application for admission. To ensure full consideration for academic scholarships, students must submit a complete application for freshman admission by either the Early Action (November 1) or Regular (January 1) application deadlines.

Selection Process

Scholarship decisions are based on a comprehensive assessment of each admitted student's academic preparation and performance, as well as additional information provided in the admission application. The university employs a holistic review process, considering both academic and context factors.

Academic Factors Considered

Academic preparation is the strongest consideration in the scholarship decision. The university reviews the overall trend of a student's high school performance to understand their academic readiness. The following academic factors are considered:

Coursework through high school graduation: Admitted students typically exceed the University's high school course requirements.
Grades in academic coursework: A student's grades are a significant indicator of their academic performance.
Class rank/Grade point average (if available): Class rank and GPA provide a comparative measure of a student's academic standing within their high school.
Rigor of academic curriculum: The university considers the rigor of the 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.
English Proficiency test score (when required): International students may be required to submit an English proficiency test score.
Applicant's academic interests: The university reviews a student's academic preparation related to the major/college for which they are seeking admission.

Context Factors Considered

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. UMN’s holistic review takes each student’s unique background into consideration when selecting awardees to ensure a diverse student body. These factors can include talents, achievements, community service, leadership, military service, or evidence of overcoming hardships.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the national scholarships, the University of Minnesota also offers a variety of other scholarship programs.

University-Wide Scholarships

The University of Minnesota offers a number of other competitive academic scholarships for incoming freshmen. Admitted freshmen are considered for these scholarships based on an overall assessment of the application for freshman admission. However, please note that there are a limited number of scholarships that are available for international students.

North Star Promise Scholarship

Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions as a "last-dollar" program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied. There is not a limit on the maximum term, yearly, or lifetime awarded dollar amount. The amount a student shall receive is based on the "last-dollar" calculation on a term-by-term basis.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

American Indian Scholars Program

Scholarships are available to eligible American Indian students who are either undergraduate students enrolled at least three-quarter time, or graduate students enrolled at least half time. The American Indian Scholars Program was established in the 2023 Legislative Session.

Other Scholarship Programs

There are several private scholarship programs for students of color. Orphans and those who were in foster care may be eligible for an increased level of financial aid assistance. If you attend a Minnesota state college or university, you may be eligible for a tuition waiver for certain courses or programs. Education vouchers are federal funds made available to states through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act and are intended to help current and former foster care youth pay for postsecondary education. The Minnesota Paramedic Scholarship is a temporary financial aid program for Minnesota residents completing a paramedic diploma or degree.

National Merit Scholarship Program

The University of Minnesota is a college-sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program.

External Scholarship Searches

Given the breadth of available public and private scholarships, it is recommended to check with the financial aid office of each college you may attend. While an institution might offer you a scholarship as part of the financial aid package without additional paperwork, you may also need to search and apply for specific scholarships. Additionally, some colleges require students to complete the CSS Profile, (an in-depth assessment of financial need) for scholarship consideration. The undergraduate scholarship search provides an individualized list of scholarships that you are eligible to apply for based on your student profile.

Understanding Scholarships as Financial Aid

Scholarships are considered “gift aid”-a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Funds are awarded to individual students and are often based on specific criteria, such as your major, GPA, financial need, etc. Receiving a scholarship may affect the amount of other financial aid you are eligible to receive, and some scholarships are not included in the undergraduate scholarship search. Scholarships are one of two forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Steps to Apply for Scholarships

If you haven't already done so, submit your complete application for freshman admission.
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