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
Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MN Dream Act Application must be submitted to the federal processing center by the established deadline date for each term in order to be considered for state funds.
- Fall 2025: September 18, 2025
- Spring 2026: February 10, 2026
- Summer 2026: June 9, 2026
Note: You can still submit the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application after the deadline and be eligible for the grant in the following term within the same aid year.
- 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 the North Star Promise Scholarship.
- To remain eligible for the scholarship, you need to be enrolled 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 8 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 resident tuition each term, including summer if funding is available, after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers are applied to your student account. NSP will also cover the Student Services Fee and UMM Campus Fee.
- North Star Promise covers study abroad charges up to the equivalent of the resident tuition and fees rate at the Morris campus.
- If you adjust your enrollment after the first two weeks of term, receive any additional gift aid throughout the academic year, or drop a course with tuition charges, your NSP scholarship amount may be recalculated and decreased. You will not receive any additional funds.
- North Star Promise does not cover tuition charges for dropped courses unless there is a grade associated with the course.
- North Star Promise Plus (NSP+)
- The North Star Promise Plus program funding was expended and is no longer available.
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.