Grants and waivers are gift aid that does not need to be repaid. Financial aid is based on your financial need (as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), any eligibility criteria specific to the source, and availability of funds.
When you complete the FAFSA and are admitted to the University of Minnesota, you will be considered for the following federal, state, and University grants.
State grants
- Minnesota State Grant
- North Star Promise Program
- Minnesota resident students with a family adjusted gross income below $80,000, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), may be eligible for both the North Star Promise and the North Star Promise Plus.
- To remain eligible for either scholarship, you need to be earning a four-year degree and enrolling in a minimum of one credit each term, and as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive the scholarship(s) for up to eight full-time semesters or the equivalent.
- North Star Promise (NSP)
- The North Star Promise last-dollar program has been funded by the Minnesota Legislature in perpetuity. Eligible students will see this scholarship on their University of Minnesota financial aid offer.
- North Star Promise covers the remaining balance of tuition and fees each term after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers are applied to your student account. Most University and course related fees will be covered. This includes summer term and study abroad tuition and fees. Some fees are not covered, such as the student health benefit fee, Course Works or other Bookstore purchases, and parking permits.
- If you adjust your enrollment or course fees, or receive additional gift aid throughout the academic year, the scholarship will be recalculated.
- North Star Promise will be applied to your student account after the first two weeks of the term.
- North Star Promise Plus (NSP+)
- The North Star Promise Plus program will be reviewed annually by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. As of January 2025, we do not anticipate this program will be active for the 2025-2026 academic year. If funding becomes available, it will be offered to Pell eligible students and appear on their University of Minnesota financial aid offer.
- The North Star Promise Plus Scholarship is awarded to students who are eligible for a Pell Grant. If you are Pell eligible, you may receive up to 15% of your Pell Grant for the academic year.
- The North Star Promise Plus Scholarship will be calculated and disbursed one week before the start of the term and again after the first two weeks of the term based on your enrollment. Any time the Pell Grant is adjusted based on your enrollment, NSP+ will be adjusted. The Pell Grant is never increased after the second week of class. Therefore NSP+ will not increase.
The total amount of financial aid offered to a student, including all scholarships and grants, cannot exceed the cost of attendance at the University of Minnesota for that aid year. Financial aid offers (e.g., loans, work study, scholarships, or grants) may be reduced for students whose total aid exceeds the cost of attendance. You can find an explanation of this type of reduction on the scholarships page.
Student Assistance Grant for Emergencies (SAGE)
The Student Assistance Grant for Emergencies (SAGE) has been created for the purpose of providing quick-response emergency grants for short-term financial emergencies, enabling a student to remain in school, rather than being forced to take a leave of absence or drop out. The maximum amount is $1000 per academic year and may be subject to change based on funding.
If you are interested in applying for a SAGE grant, complete the SAGE application. If you have questions or need assistance, schedule an appointment with a One Stop counselor.
Additional grants and waivers
Grants
- American Indian Scholars Program
- This program is designed to cover tuition and certain fees for eligible students.
- If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can complete the American Indian Scholars Program Application. To be considered eligible, you must:
- Be pursuing your first degree and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
- Have fewer than 180 credits at the college-level.
- Be a Minnesota resident who qualifies for resident tuition and an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation.
- If you do not qualify for resident tuition, you are still eligible for this program if you are an enrolled member or citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation.
- AmeriCorps
- Dislocated Worker Programs
- Education vouchers for former youth in care (Minnesota residents who were older children in foster care)
- Employer tuition benefits (Check with your employer. If your employer offers employee tuition benefits, contact Third party billing if your employer will pay.)
- Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants
- Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant
- Minnesota Student Teacher Grant
- Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant
- TEACH Grant Program
- Wards of the state (contact the One Stop for more information)
Waivers
- American Indian Tuition Waiver and application
- Tuition Assistance for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students
- Minnesota residents who are deaf/hard of hearing and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program may be eligible for tuition assistance to cover any tuition and fee charges remaining after grants and scholarships. A deaf/hard of hearing student is an individual with hearing loss of such severity that they must depend primarily on visual communication, such as writing, lip reading, manual communication, and gestures. Students must meet the University of Minnesota’s definition of residency and receive either a Federal Pell Grant and/or a Minnesota State Grant for each term the assistance is awarded.
- Tuition Waiver for Blind Students
- A full tuition waiver is available to Minnesota resident undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree-seeking students who are legally blind with vision no better than 20/200 or 20 degrees of visual field in the better eye. Students must meet the University of Minnesota’s definition of residency and must be enrolled in a credit-bearing course that charges tuition. Study abroad programs and fee-based programs are not eligible.