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.
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.
2025-2026 deadlines
- Fall 2025: October 1, 2025
- Spring 2026: February 18, 2026
- Summer 2026: June 16, 2026
2026-2027 deadlines
- Fall 2026: October 7, 2026
- Spring 2027: February 17, 2027
- Summer 2027: June 15, 2027
Note: Your FAFSA must be on file by June 1, 2026 to be considered for the North Star Promise for the 2026-2027 aid year. You can still, however, submit the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application after the deadline and be eligible for other state grants in the following term within the same aid year.
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.
- Note: Your FAFSA must be on file by June 1, 2026 to be considered for the North Star Promise for fall 2026 and/or spring 2027. This does not guarantee funding for the 2026-2027 school year.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
University grants
- U Promise Scholarship
- U Promise Scholarship Program
- Promise Plus Free Tuition Program
- Native American Promise Tuition Program
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. Additional information is available.
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.
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
- Employer tuition benefits (Check with your employer. If your employer offers employee tuition benefits, contact Third party billing if your employer will pay.)
- National Guard education funds
- ROTC benefits
- TEACH Grant Program
- Veterans education benefits
- Regents Tuition Benefit Program (For University employees)
- MN Postsecondary Child Care Grant
- Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Surviving Spouse/Dependent Education Benefit
- Minnesota Veterans' Dependents Assistance Program (children of POW/MIA)
- Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant
- Education vouchers for former youth in care (Minnesota residents who were older children in foster care)
- Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants
- Wards of the state (contact a One Stop counselor for more information)
Waivers & Tuition Benefits
Tuition waivers and benefits may be available to students as part of a scholarship, fellowship, departmental or institutional assistance, outside agency, or University of Minnesota Regents Tuition Benefit Program for employees. Tuition waivers, regardless of their source, are considered a form of financial aid which may reduce eligibility for student loans.
- Regents Tuition Benefit Program (For University employees)
- The Regents Tuition Benefit Program covers a portion of tuition costs for eligible University of Minnesota employees enrolled in University of Minnesota credit-bearing courses. The program covers:
- 100% of the tuition cost for eligible employees who are admitted to a degree-seeking program and are earning their first baccalaureate degree
- 75% of the tuition cost for all other eligible employees enrolled in courses covered under the Regents Scholarship Program
- The Regents Tuition Benefit Program covers a portion of tuition costs for eligible University of Minnesota employees enrolled in University of Minnesota credit-bearing courses. The program covers:
- Tuition Assistance for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students form
- 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 form
- 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.