Grants are gift aid that do not need to be repaid. Grants are awarded to students with exceptional financial need as determined by information provided on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Only undergraduates who have not previously received a bachelor's degree are eligible for federal and state grants.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant awards are based on financial need and are available to students, who do not have a bachelor's degree. Full-time status for the Pell Grant is 12 or more credits per term. Students enrolling in 9-11 credits generally receive 75% of a full-time award and those enrolling in 6-8 credits generally receive 50% of a full-time award. Students may be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant funds at less than half-time enrollment status. Federal Pell Grant program regulations prohibit a student from receiving a Pell Grant from more than one school at the same time.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This federal grant is available to full-time students who are Pell Grant recipients and U.S. citizens.  Eligibility is limited to first year and second year students who completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006 if a first-year student and after January 1, 2005 if a second-year student) as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.  Second year students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA after the first year. ACGs are up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

This federal grant of up to $4,000 is available to full-time students who are Pell Grant recipients and U.S. citizens.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and must be a junior or senior majoring in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language.

Note: To receive a National SMART Grant the eligible student can only receive a payment while enrolled in at least one course that meets the specific requirements of the student's SMART Grant-eligible major. A student taking general education courses or electives that satisfy general degree requirements for the SMART Grant-eligible major but who is not taking at least one course specific to and required for the SMART Grant-eligible major is not eligible for a SMART Grant payment for that payment period.

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Minnesota State Grant

This grant is available to undergraduate Minnesota residents, who attend a Minnesota college/university, enroll in at least three credits per term, show financial need, and have attended post-secondary institutions for less than the equivalent of four full years. This grant is the only aid type where the award amount changes based on the student's enrollment on a per credit basis.

MN State Grant Deadline: Students who plan to apply for financial aid and who qualify for a Minnesota State Grant must submit a FAFSA each year. The FAFSA must be received by the Federal Processing Center no later than 30 days after the start of each semester. Please note that this deadline only applies to the MN State Grant.

The FAFSA only needs to be submitted once per academic year, which includes fall, spring and summer. You do not need to complete another FAFSA for spring semester.

Minnesota Achieve Scholarship Program

Minnesota high school graduates who complete any one of four sets of courses defined as rigorous earn a one-time scholarship of $1,200 to help pay for college at a public or private university or college. The Achieve Scholarship is available to students who graduate from a Minnesota high school after January 1, 2008. To be eligible, a student must:

• Have a parental adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year during which the scholarship is requested. This AGI limit also applies to independent students.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Meet the definition of Minnesota resident used for state financial aid programs.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota.
• Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts.
• Successfully complete the first term of college enrollment in order to receive the second $600 installment of the Achieve Scholarship.
• Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting.

Download and complete the Achieve Scholarship application. Complete applications must be submitted to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education along with an official high school transcript. Questions about the Achieve Scholarship Program may directed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education by calling (651) 642-0567.

Minnesota GI Bill

The Minnesota GI Bill program is a new program established in 2007 to provide postsecondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001.

To be eligible you must be a Minnesota resident enrolled at a Minnesota institution who is a:

• Veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch of the United States armed forces at any time on or after September 11, 2001, or;
• Non-veteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001, or;
• Surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and who has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of that military service.

If you meet the above eligibility criteria Apply Online or print, complete, and submit a paper application to the St. Cloud State University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Room 106, Administrative Services Building.

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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This program is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Funding for this grant program is limited so it is important to apply for financial aid early to determine your eligibility for the SEOG Grant.

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Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Educational benefits are available to students who have a disability that is considered a handicap to employment. The amount received is based upon individual needs and program requirements. DRS requires students seeking assistance to apply for financial aid. For additional information contact your high school counselor, local DRS office, or the Minnesota State Office at:

Division of Rehabilitation Service
390 N. Robert St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 296-5616
Or 1-800-328-9095
TTY: (651) 296-3900
http://www.deed.state.mn.us/rehab/index.htm

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Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program

Minnesota residents who have children 12 years of age or younger may be eligible for child care assistance. Eligible students must be Minnesota residents pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Those receiving Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) benefits or who have already attended post-secondary institutions for the equivalent of four full-time years are not eligible. The grant amount is determined by the size and income of the student's family.

Additional information and application materials are available in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students who are receiving MFIP benefits may want to contact their county social services office to find out if they are eligible for child care assistance through the county.

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American Indian Scholarships and Grants

There are two primary sources of scholarship or grant funding for American Indian students:

• Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The awards are made by individual tribes. Students need to contact the tribe with which they are affiliated or enrolled for specific information and application forms.
• Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Students must be Minnesota residents, who can verify at least one-fourth degree blood quantum of American Indian ancestry. Students must apply to their home tribes or agencies in addition to the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Apply online at the MN Office of Higher Education.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program:

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive
Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108
Telephone: (651) 642-0567 or 1-800-657-3866
Fax: 651-642-0675

Apply online Application forms are also available in the SCSU American Indian Center or the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students must apply for federal and state financial aid before Indian scholarship agencies can determine eligibility for funding. It is important to apply early as many agencies have deadlines for consideration.

Some specialized funding programs are available for American Indian students pursuing areas of study in which there is a shortage of professionals. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services has an Indian Health Service scholarship which requires a service obligation in the Indian Health Service of one year for every year an award is received. More information is available from the Scholarship Coordinator, Indian Health Service, Bemidji Area Office, 203 Federal Building, Bemidji, MN 56601, (218) 751-7701.

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