Minnesota scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Minnesota runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Open to most students
Minnesota State Grant
Varies by need and cost; formula uses up to $18,071 (4-year) or $7,340 (2-year) tuition and fees plus a $12,690 living allowance (2026-27), minus family share and PellMinnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Open nowMinnesota's main need-based grant for undergraduates at eligible Minnesota public, private and tribal colleges, calculated from cost, family share and Pell.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, or undocumented student eligible under the Minnesota Dream Act
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Minnesota Student Teacher Grants (Shortage Areas and Underrepresented Student Teachers)
Up to $7,500 (one-time, for the student teaching term)Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Check datesOne-time grant up to $7,500 for low-income student teachers who will teach in a shortage area or rural district, or who are teachers of color.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For undergrads, grad students
- For education, teaching students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
North Star Promise
Up to 100% of remaining tuition and mandatory fees (last-dollar, no fixed cap)Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Opens laterMinnesota's free-tuition program: covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees at Minnesota public colleges and Tribal Colleges for residents with family AGI under $80,000.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, or undocumented student eligible under the Minnesota Dream Act
- Usual timing: FAFSA/MN Dream Act driven; for 2026-27 OHE set a mandatory application deadline of June 1, 2026 (previously: before the 30th day of the term). The 2027-28 deadline had not been announced when checked.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant
Up to average tuition and fees, capped at $18,071 (4-year/graduate) or $7,340 (2-year) per year (2026-27)Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Open nowTuition and fees (up to the State Grant caps) for children and spouses of Minnesota public safety officers killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Dependent child or surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty (on or after Jan 1, 1973)
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (MISP)
Up to $4,000/year (undergraduate); up to $6,000/year (graduate)Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Apply any timeUp to $4,000 a year for undergraduates and $6,000 for graduate students who are American Indian Minnesota residents with financial need.
- Who it's for: Enrolled member/citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation, or one-quarter or more American Indian ancestry
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Minnesota GI Bill
Up to $5,000 per academic year; $15,000 lifetime maximumMinnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
Apply any timeUp to $5,000 a year (lifetime max $15,000) for Minnesota veterans, service members and eligible survivors/dependents at Minnesota colleges.
- Who it's for: Veteran, current service member/National Guard/Reserve (5+ years incl. post-9/11 service), or surviving spouse/child of a service member who died or is 100% disabled from service
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veteran Education Assistance
$750 one-timeMinnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
Apply any timeOne-time $750 tuition grant for Minnesota veterans who used up their federal GI Bill before finishing a bachelor's degree.
- Who it's for: Veteran (Minn. Stat. 197.447) who has exhausted federal GI Bill benefits
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
American Indian Scholars Program
Full tuition and mandatory fees (waiver)Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota (state program, Minn. Stat. 135A.121)
Apply any timeFull tuition and fee waiver at Minnesota State colleges/universities and University of Minnesota campuses for enrolled tribal members.
- Who it's for: Enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation (Minnesota resident-tuition eligible), or enrolled member/citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation regardless of residency
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant (FIG)
Up to the cost of attendance minus SAI and other grants (remaining need)Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Apply any timeGrants up to the full cost of attendance (after other aid) for students under 27 who were in Minnesota foster care at age 13 or older.
- Who it's for: Current or former Minnesota foster youth (in foster care, adopted from foster care, or placed with a permanent legal custodian at age 13+), or eligible for the Education and Training Voucher
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, or undocumented student eligible under the Minnesota Dream Act
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Grants for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID Grant)
Remaining tuition and fees, up to an annual maximum set by OHEMinnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Apply any timeCovers tuition and fees left after Pell, State Grant and school aid for students in comprehensive transition programs at Minnesota colleges.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Minnesota National Guard State Tuition Reimbursement
Up to 100% of tuition (University of Minnesota lower-division CLA rate or the member's Minnesota public program rate), plus textbooksMinnesota Department of Military Affairs (Adjutant General)
Apply any timeTuition and textbook reimbursement up to 100% of University of Minnesota tuition for Minnesota National Guard members (and survivors of members killed on state duty).
- Who it's for: Minnesota National Guard member (or surviving spouse/dependent under 24 of a member killed in state active service)
- What it takes: membership + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Postsecondary Child Care Grant
Up to $6,500 per eligible child per academic yearMinnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Apply any timeHelps low-income student parents pay for child care: up to $6,500 per child per academic year.
- Who it's for: Parent of a child 12 or younger (14 or younger with a disability) in regular paid child care
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Senior Citizen Higher Education Program
Tuition and activity fees waived (administrative fee applies for credit courses)State of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. 135A.51-135A.52) at Minnesota public colleges
Apply any timeMinnesota residents 62+ can take public-college courses tuition-free when space is available (small administrative fee for credit).
- Who it's for: Age 62+ (or 60+ receiving a railroad retirement annuity)
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Surviving Children and Spouses Education Benefit
Free tuition at Minnesota public colleges and universities, plus $750 per year for fees, books, supplies or room and boardMinnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
Apply any timeTuition-free bachelor's degree at Minnesota public colleges plus $750/year for spouses and children of veterans who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition.
- Who it's for: Surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.