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.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Minnesota State Grant
- Promise Programs
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.
New state programs
As announced by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, the University of Minnesota is excited about implementing the following state programs:
- 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.
- If you have already received or completed your American Indian Tuition Waiver tribal documentation, we will use it to determine your eligibility for the American Indian Scholars Program. A communication has been sent to students that meet the eligibility requirements. If you did not receive an email and would like to know more about your eligibility, please contact us.
- North Star Promise Program starting in 2024-2025
We will share additional information about these programs as it becomes available.
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
- 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 Future Together Grant
- 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.