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Minnesota College Scholarships

Using scholarships to help pay for college can be an important benefit that makes the entire task affordable. In some cases, scholarships are based on merit or need, while others include location and school to be attended or the field of study. Minnesota scholarships are centered around retaining top minds and talents that are already state residents, as well as inviting some of the best students from around the country to attend schools in Minnesota.

The administration of scholarships for the state is overseen by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. One of the top scholarships available targets junior and senior high school students. The Presidential Freedom Scholarship is for students who actively participate in community service activities and offers at least $1000 toward a college education.

The Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship targets a large percentage of students who show academic talent in Math, Science, Art, English, or foreign language and plan to attend a public or private college within the state of Minnesota. Depending upon merit and available funding, the scholarship may be awarded in amounts that are equal to the cost of tuition.

As a service to American Indians, the Minnesota Indian Scholarship offers monetary gifts to students who present proof of at least ¼ Indian blood (established due to the high population of Sioux and Chippewa tribes in the state). Undergraduate Native American students who are economically disadvantaged and are enrolled in a state college or university are eligible for up to $3000, while graduate students may receive up to $6000.

List of Minnesota Scholarships

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.