Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will make college accessible and affordable for any eligible Minnesotan who has the desire to earn a credential. NSP will cover the full cost of tuition and fees to higher education institutions for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions. As a "last-dollar" scholarship program, NSP will fund the remaining balance of tuition and fees after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
By making college accessible and affordable, NSP is intended to have a positive impact on multiple fronts:
- Help stabilize enrollment at Minnesota public institutions of higher education;
- Serve as an economic driver for Minnesota by educating qualified workers who are much needed to fill vacancies in the state's labor force;
- Create a viable higher education path for Minnesota residents who may have previously thought education was not a possibility for them.
Click here to learn more about the North Star Promise Scholarship program.
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The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is seeking volunteers to participate in the Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP) grant review process. This grant provides support to nonprofit organizations, colleges/universities, schools and districts, and other educational entities to help prepare low-income students and students of color to be successful in college.
A diverse review committee to evaluate applications is needed. OHE is seeking community members, direct service providers, teachers, mentors, faculty, college support staff, and Minnesotans who identify as a person of color, low-income, first-generation college student, English as a second language learner, and/or have participated in a college access program. Community members can receive a $50 stipend for their participation.
If you are interested in participating in the competitive review process, please contact OHE Competitive Grants Administrator Lain DeSalvo at lain.desalvo@state.mn.us by July 7, 2023.
 Apply Now for Student Teacher Grants and Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship
Postsecondary financial assistance is available to support students who plan to become part of Minnesota's future teacher workforce. Both the Minnesota Student Teacher Grant program and Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship pilot program are currently accepting applications from eligible students who are working toward earning their teaching licensure and degrees. Priority deadline for both programs is July 7, 2023.
Minnesota Student Teacher Grants include the Minnesota Student Teachers in Shortage Areas Grant and Minnesota Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant. Eligible students must intend to teach in a license shortage area or rural school district, or belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the state's teacher workforce. Click to learn more about Minnesota Student Teacher Grants and find full eligibility requirements.
The Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship (ATC) is a pilot program created to provide financial support to undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to become teachers, have demonstrated financial need, and belong to racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the state’s teacher workforce. Click to learn more about the Aspiring Teachers of Color pilot program and find full eligibility requirements.
You may complete the application through the link below, but students should also contact their school’s Financial Aid Office to submit the college or university section of the application.
In its second year of promoting access to higher education in Minnesota, the Direct Admissions program has expanded to benefit over 23,600 high school seniors this coming school year. The program, launched in 2022, ensures that graduating high school students know they qualify for admission to a variety of Minnesota colleges and universities by proactively notifying them of their admission based on academic records. The program is designed to boost confidence and promote access to high school seniors by providing them with a list of postsecondary options that they can attend the following fall. Making the college application process more accessible, participating colleges and universities are also waiving their application fees.
“Higher education is one of the greatest tickets towards economic growth and opportunity, but as a former teacher, I know the college admissions process can be a daunting process for students,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. “By making sure students know all of their options and waiving the cost to apply to schools, we are removing barriers and making higher education accessible for more students than ever across the state.”
Last year, 40 high schools in Minnesota participated in the pilot program. This year, 129 high schools have opted in, with over 50 colleges and universities participating in the 2023-24 academic year.
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