decorative banner imageAmerican Indian Scholars Program

The American Indian Scholars program is established to provide a first-dollar tuition and fee free pathway for eligible Minnesota American Indian students to complete an undergraduate education.

Eligibility. To be eligible each year for the program a student must:
(1) be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma or degree program at the University of Minnesota or a Minnesota State College or University (including Bemidji State University)
(2) be either:

  • a Minnesota resident for resident tuition purposes who is an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation or
  • an enrolled member or citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation, regardless of resident tuition status; and

(3) have not:

  • obtained a baccalaureate degree
  • been enrolled for 180 credits or the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below college-level

ForestNorth Star Promise

Calling all MN High School Seniors: If you’re considering college but worried about cost the North Star Promise program may cover the FULL COST of your tuition & fees. Students must attend a public college in MN & have an annual income of <$80k.

Current Students. Are you currently a student at @MinnStateEdu, @UMNews or Tribal College? Starting in fall 2024, the North Star Promise may cover the FULL COST of your tuition and fees. This new scholarship is available to students w/an annual income of <$80k.

Returning Students. Are you a Minnesotan who wants to go back to college and finish your degree? Starting in fall 2024, North Star Promise may cover the FULL COST of your tuition and fees. This new scholarship is available to students w/an annual income of <$80k.

Scholarships

Social Work Scholarships

Bemidji State’s social work department offers $20,000 of scholarships annually. These scholarships are available to all social work degree seekers.

To be eligible for all scholarships at Bemidji State, fill out the Foundation Scholarship Application before February 1.

Available Scholarships

Beltrami County Behavioral Health Scholarship

Criteria: Students need to be full-time, majoring in social work, nursing or psychology and who intending to work in the mental health field and work in the Bemidji area.

  • Must be a sophomore, junior or senior majoring in social work, nursing or psychology.
  • Must have graduated from a high school in Beltrami County, Clearwater County, Hubbard County or Lake of the Woods County. American Indian students are highly encouraged to apply.
  • Recipients are expected to work for a non-profit in Bemidji for 5 years after graduation.
  • Beltrami County Behavioral Health Application

Don Crompton Scholarship

Criteria: Junior and senior in social work major within a minimum of a 2.80 GPA. Must be enrolled during the following academic year. Must complete a short essay (no more than two typed pages) describing interest in, commitment to and abilities useful to their social work career goals.

Priority will be given to an applicant who:

  • Can describe a commitment to career goals that have been thoughtfully considered.
  • Have junior or senior standing in the social work major with a GPA over 2.80.

Jeanne Gillen Scholarship

Criteria: Junior and senior in social work major with a minimum 2.80 GPA. Must be enrolled during the following academic year. Must complete a short essay (no more than two typed pages) describing interest in, commitment to and abilities useful to their social work career goals.

Priority will be given to an applicant who:

  • Can describe a commitment to career goals that have been thoughtfully considered.
  • Has junior or senior standing in the Social Work major with a GPA over 2.80.

North Star Scholarship

Criteria: This is a scholarship awarded to a social work student doing an internship in developmental disabilities. The annual award will be applied toward the cost of tuition.

  • Accepted for admission to the social work major.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.50.
  • Be committed to interning in the field of developmental disabilities.
  • Social Work major ready for the 480-hour internship.
  • Community and/or university volunteer services.

Summer Internship Scholarship

Criteria: Bemidji State University seniors who plan to complete a human services-related internship in Greater Minnesota during the summer session can apply for a scholarship award of $1,000. The internship site must be a non-profit 501(c) (3) or tribal agency. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their major and be of senior status, having completed 90 or more credits. Student awards will be made on a rolling basis. Applying early will increase the likelihood of receiving the scholarship towards their expenses related to their internship.

Other Sources of Scholarship

American Indian College Fund

Criteria: The American Indian College Fund was established in 1989 to provide scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native students attending tribal colleges. And to fund and create awareness about the community-based accredited tribal colleges and universities that offer students access to knowledge and skills alongside Native culture, language and values.

Fostering Independence

A state grant is available to Minnesotans who have been in the foster care system. If you are 27 years of age or younger, and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after the age of 13, you may be eligible to receive the grant. Costs covered include tuition, fees, books, housing and transportation.

Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants are available to eligible Minnesota students attending any eligible institution in the state. Eligible institutions include Minnesota State universities and colleges, the University of Minnesota, public community and technical colleges, participating tribal colleges and private institutions. Foster grants may not be used at out-of-state schools. For more information, visit the Office of Higher Education website or click on the link above.

Minnesota Social Service Association

Criteria: Each year the Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) awards scholarships to students seeking human service-related degree programs. Applications and additional information for the three scholarships noted below are available at the MSSA Website. The review and selection of applicants by MSSA volunteers is managed by the Awards and Scholarship Chair as appointed by the MSSA President.

MSSA offers three Scholarship options to applying students, please click on the links below for full information:

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Jorgensen, ajorgensen@mnssa.org or phone, (651) 789-4328.

Page Education Foundation Scholarship

Criteria: The Page Education Foundation was founded to support the academic and professional success of youth of color throughout Minnesota. The PEF awards annual, renewable grants to students of color pursuing post-secondary education. Students who accept a Page Grant must commit to volunteer and tutor younger children of color in grades kindergarten — 8th through a clearly defined Services to Children Project. The project encourages young children of color to do well in school, have a positive attitude about education and see college as an attainable long-term outcome.

Sallie Mae Foundation Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Sallie Mae Fund’s First in my Family: For Latino undergraduate students who are the first member of their extended family to attend college.
  • Sallie Mae Fund’s American Dream: For African American undergraduate students.
  • Sallie Mae Fund’s Unmet Need: For undergraduate students from low-income families.
  • Sallie Mae 9/11 Education Fund: For children of parents who were killed or permanently disabled in the 9/11 attack.

Orphan Foundation of America

Criteria: Scholarship program to help “parentless teens.”

MN Association of County Probation Officers

Criteria: The Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers strives to promote and attract quality students to consider Corrections as a career. In preparing a student for professional-level practice, MACPO is offering a $750 scholarship to be used toward a Corrections-related degree and/or internship. MACPO, by awarding this scholarship, will do so in the spirit of honoring deceased MACPO members who have made a significant contribution not only to MACPO but also to the corrections field. Student mus be majored in Corrections, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or other related fields involved in an internship.

Minnesota State Student Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship announcements for students enrolled in Minnesota State’s colleges and universities.

Other Scholarship Opportunities