Grants and waivers

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 automatically be considered for the following federal, state, and University grants.

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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 contracts.
      • 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. Currently, it is set to end after summer 2027, but will be available until then, unless program funding is expended sooner. If funding is 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 Pell eligible. 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. 

University grants

If you meet the criteria for the Native American Promise Tuition Program, please fill out the tribal enrollment form and submit your tribal citizenship documentation.

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.

Grants and waivers that you must apply to 

There are several grants and waivers that require you to submit an application or take some other action. Information on some common grants and waivers is available below.

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Employment or service-related

Demographic or family-related

Reciprocity information (for North Dakota,, Wisconsin and Manitoba residents).