Grants and Scholarships

What is gift aid?

Grants and scholarships are two forms of gift aid that you don’t need to pay back. Gift aid can come from the following sources:

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Minnesota State government
Federal government
Outside sources.

Students must maintain full-time status to be eligible for a �鶹��ƵAPK-sponsored grant or scholarship assistance, while other forms of aid require half-time status. You can verify your enrollment status by checking the table below.

Please note that only courses required for your program count toward your enrollment status for financial aid. Students are no longer eligible for federal or state funding after they complete all the academic requirements for their program (i.e., BA, BS, or BBA), regardless if they select not to receive that degree for reasons such as adding a second major, minor, etc.

Types of gift aid

Different types of gift aid are available for �鶹��ƵAPK students. Check what you’re eligible to apply for and discover how you can benefit from our comprehensive financial aid packages.

�鶹��ƵAPK gift aid State gift aid Federal gift aid

�鶹��ƵAPK gift aid and scholarships

A group of four first-year �鶹��ƵAPK students smiling and taking a selfie on campus

First-year scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded based on your admission materials—no separate application needed! Additional support of up to $5,000 is also available.

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Transfer scholarships

On-campus transfer students can get up to $28,000 for academic achievement. We have awards for Phi Theta Kappa, heritage applicants, and first-generation students too.

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International undergraduate scholarships

Incoming international students are eligible for scholarships based on academic excellence (up to $25,000 per year), talent across disciplines, ESL program completion, and more.

a group of �鶹��ƵAPK MBA graduate students gathered in a conference room talking

Graduate scholarships

If you’re a master’s or doctoral degree-seeking student, you have options for financing your education. See what scholarships your program offers.

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Outside scholarships for all students

Our growing list of outside scholarships can help you find extra funding. Explore your options and learn how we disburse these third-party awards.

When are grants and scholarships credited?

Financial aid will be disbursed approximately two weeks after the start of each term. This ensures accuracy, allowing the Financial Aid Office to adjust aid packages to reflect actual enrollment after the Add/Drop period. Credit refunds are processed no later than 14 days after a credit balance is shown on a student's account. J-Term/Winter and Spring enrollment will be combined and considered as Spring Term for aid disbursement purposes.

Financial aid offer changes and revisions

If we receive new or additional information about your housing, outside funding, enrollment status, etc., your financial aid is subject to change. Any �鶹��ƵAPK merit and/or need-based scholarships and grants may be funded by a named donor scholarship. Students will retain the honorary winner of the original award. An email will be sent to your �鶹��ƵAPK email account. If you ever need a paper copy of your financial aid offer, you may request one from Student Administrative Services.

State gift aid

Minnesota State Grants for undergraduate and online bachelor’s degree completion students

Minnesota State Grants are given by the state of Minnesota. Students are eligible for state grants for the equivalent of eight full-time semesters. This total includes all previous postsecondary credits attempted or earned at other institutions. The amount listed in the offer is an estimate until the state officially confirms values for students.

The estimated grant is based on full-time enrollment of 15 credits per semester and will be prorated if registered for less. Beginning in the fall 2021 semester, winter term credits will be combined with spring semester credits to determine your spring state grant eligibility.

Your eligibility to participate in the Minnesota State Grant Program is dependent on the timely submission of your FAFSA. You can learn more about how to complete the FAFSA by viewing our how to apply for financial aid page. Failing to have your FAFSA received by the required deadline will result in a loss of funds for the term(s) in question.
Undergraduate program

The 2024/2025 undergraduate deadline is June 30, 2025.

Online Bachelor's Degree Completion program

The 2024/2025 Online Bachelor's Degree Completion program deadline is June 30, 2025.

Minnesota Student Teacher Grant

The MN Student Teacher Grant provides financial assistance to eligible graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in a MN teacher preparation program during one term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an eligible MN university in an eligible teacher preparation program that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching
- Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Complete a FAFSA or MN Dream Act application for the aid year
- Demonstrate financial need
- Meet one or more of the following requirements:
  - Intend to teach in a designated rural school district in MN
  - Intend to teach in an identified license shortage area
  - Belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the MN teacher workforce
- Eligibility for the award is also dependent on the availability of funds
Students must submit an application online to the MN Office of Higher Education for the term in which they are completing the student teaching experience. Paper applications are available upon request (email info.ohe@state.mn.us). The Financial Aid office must also submit a financial data form in order for the application to be considered complete.

More information about this grant and the online application can be found on the .

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program

The Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (MISP) is for citizens and enrolled members of federally recognized tribes or Canadian First Nations, regardless of the degree of ancestry or “blood quantum.” Scholarships are available to eligible undergraduate students enrolled at least three-quarter time, and graduate students enrolled at least half-time.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be one-fourth or more American Indian OR be an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Be enrolled in an accredited Minnesota university
- Be an undergraduate student who qualifies for either a Pell or MN State Grant and demonstrates financial need, or a graduate student who demonstrates financial need
- Eligibility for the award is also dependent on the availability of funds
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, students must prove their American Indian ancestry by submitting documentation to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Your documentation must meet all the following criteria:
- Issued by a tribe, Canadian First Nation, or other official government office
- Includes the applicant’s name and date of birth
- Lists the student’s blood quantum or degree of American Indian ancestry OR clearly states that the student is an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation
Students can complete the application . More information about the scholarship can be found on the MN Office of Higher Education’s .

Minnesota GI Bill®

The Minnesota GI Bill® provides financial assistance to graduate and undergraduate students that are Minnesota veterans and service members, as well as eligible spouses and children of deceased or severely disabled veterans.

Eligible students may receive the following award amounts:
- Full-time: Up to $5,000 per year, to a lifetime maximum of $15,000
- Part-time: Eligible for a prorated amount based on the number of credits taken
- Eligibility for the award is also dependent on the availability of funds
Students can complete an application and learn more at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs . More information is also available by calling the MN Office of Higher Education at 651-642-0675 or by contacting a regional representative of the MN Department of Veterans Affairs.

Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant

The Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant program offers small grants to eligible low-income students with young children to help pay for childcare while the student attends classes.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Be enrolled 1-12 credits or more per term (undergraduate) or 1-6 credits or more per term (graduate)
- Not have completed 10 semesters of postsecondary education or five years full-time (or equivalent)
- Not have defaulted on a student loan
- Not be receiving assistance from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
Eligible full-time students may receive up to $6,500 for each eligible child per academic year.

The amount of childcare assistance depends on the:
- Number of people in the student's household
- Number of day-care hours necessary to cover education and work obligations
- Income of the applicant and their spouse
- Availability of funding
- Student's enrollment status
More information about the program can be found on the .

Minnesota Dream Act and/or qualifying DACA students

Undocumented students can apply for state financial aid by accessing the online page. To be eligible for the Minnesota State Grant, submit an application no later than the 30th day of the term. The Minnesota Dream Act application should be submitted once for each academic year the student is enrolled in college.

Minnesota Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants

The Minnesota Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants program that provides financial assistance to Minnesota undergraduate students who were in the foster care system. Students are eligible to receive the grant up to the cost of attendance after subtracting federal, state, and third-party gift aid.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Minnesota resident, including students who apply for state financial aid via the MN Dream Act application
- Be younger than 27 years of age
- You are eligible for the Education Vouchers for Former Youth in Foster Care OR after your 13th birthday have been in foster care in Minnesota, including any of the following:
  - Placement in foster care at any time while 13 years of age or older
  - Adoption from foster care at any time after reaching 13 years of age
  - Placement from foster care with a permanent legal custodian at any time after reaching 13 years of age
  - Have graduated from high school
- Have graduated from high school or completed the equivalent as approved by the Department of Education
- Have been accepted for admission to or are currently attending an eligible institution
- Have submitted a FAFSA or MN Dream Act application
- Are meeting Satisfactory Academic progress
- Eligibility for the award is also dependent on the availability of funds
To apply for this grant, fill out the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application. These serve as the application for receiving this grant, as well as other financial aid resources. The first choice school you list will be notified of your eligibility for the grant and will complete a school certification. If you are eligible, the award will be included on your financial aid offer from your institution. Please note that awards are based on the availability of funds and you must reapply each academic year by submitting the FAFSA or MN Dream Act.

More information can be found on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s .

MN Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

Supports postsecondary education success for current and former foster youth. Students are eligible for up to five years. Applications are due between July 1 and April 1 of each year.

Find more information on the .

Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant

The Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant provides an educational benefit to dependent children under age 23 (extended to age 30 for those who served on active military duty for at least 181 consecutive days and were honorably discharged or released) and spouses of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Awards are based on the annual average full-time tuition and mandatory fees charged by the institution, or the applicable tuition and fee maximum established in law.

Eligibility for the grant is determined by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and students must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program at an eligible MN institution
- Have not received benefits for the maximum of 10 full-time semesters, or 15 full-time quarters (a student who withdraws from enrollment for active military service is entitled to an additional semester of grant eligibility)
- Eligibility for the award is also dependent on the availability of funds
Students who are eligible for funds from this grant program may also be eligible for federal funds through the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship.
Students can apply and learn more by visiting the MN Office of Higher Education’s .

Federal gift aid

Federal TEACH Grant for undergraduate and master’s students

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $1,886 per semester in grants to undergraduate and graduate students who intend to teach full-time. Students enrolled in TEACH Grant-approved programs may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8,000 for graduate study.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Teach in a high-need subject area, as defined by the US Department of Education
- Teach at a school that serves students from low-income families
- Teach for at least four academic years
If you fail to meet the four-year teaching obligation within eight years of completing or ceasing your degree program, your grant will convert to an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. This loan will have to be repaid with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.

You can visit the for more information.
To start your application, refer to the links below for each academic year.

Federal Pell/SEOG for undergraduate and online bachelor's degree completion students

The Federal Pell and SEOG Grants are federally funded grants that get credited to your student account after the Financial Aid Office verifies your information with the federal processor.

Students are limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility. If you’ve attended college for four years or longer, receiving the Pell Grant each year, you’re likely to exhaust (or have already exhausted) your lifetime limit of 12 semesters of Pell Grant eligibility. If you’ve attended college and received the Pell Grant for three years or less, you will likely not surpass the lifetime limit during the upcoming school year.

Whether you’ve used all of your Pell Grant eligibility or only half, please be conscious about the lifetime limit of the Pell Grant when changing majors and/or scheduling classes.
To view the percentage of Pell Grant eligibility you’ve used, go to the website.

Follow these steps:
1. Click the large Log In button on the main page and sign in with your FSA ID and Password
2. Once you’re signed in, select Grant History
3. Click the View Details button for more in-depth information regarding your Pell Grant usage

Determine your enrollment status
Program types	Enrollment status	Credit requirement
Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, online bachelor’s, teaching licensure	Half-time	At least 6 credits per semester
	Full-time	At least 12 credits per semester
	Full-time (for state grants)	At least 15 credits per semester for full reward
Master’s, doctorate, graduate certificates	Half-time	At least 4 credits per semester
Master’s, doctorate, graduate certificates	Full-time	At least 8 credits per semester

Contact Information

Office of Financial Aid

651-523-3000 (office)

651-523-2585 (fax)

finaid@hamline.edu

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