search search close close

Scholarships

Apply for a scholarship sponsored by friends of the College including staff, faculty, corporations, community organizations, and individuals, and earn free money for college.

Open to All Minnesota West Students.

When the scholarship application window is open, an “apply here” button will be available on this page.

Fall Awards

Apply Here

Fall application due April 1

Open January 1 - April 1

Spring Awards

Application Closed

Spring application due November 1

Open Sept 1 - Nov 1


Additional Scholarships Available:

PSEO/REACH Scholarship

The award is to support high school seniors graduating in May 2024, who have earned 9 (nine) or more college credits in our PSEO and/or Concurrent Enrollment programs and continue their education to complete an AA, AS, AAS degree or diploma program from Minnesota West.

Learn More & Apply >


Workforce Development Scholarships

These $2,500 scholarships are funded by the State of Minnesota and are targeted for Minnesota residents majoring in high-demand occupations in the areas of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology programs, transportation and early childhood.

Learn More & Apply >


Nursing Students

Scholarships for Nursing Students >


Office of Cultural Diversity

Available Scholarships >


North Star Scholarship Program

NSP scholarship web

North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions as a "last-dollar" program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.

Learn More >


American Indian Scholars Program

The American Indian Scholars Program was established in the 2023 Legislative Session. This program provides a first-dollar tuition and fee-free pathway for Minnesotans eligible for resident tuition who are enrolled members or citizens of any federally recognized tribe or Canadian First Nation to attend a Minnesota State institution or the University of Minnesota. Students not eligible for resident tuition who are enrolled members or citizens of a Minnesota Tribal Nation are also eligible for the program.

Apply Here > Submit the completed application along with copy of your Tribal Enrollment Care to the Financial Aid Office.


Instructions to: Apply for Scholarships Tutorial

Video Tutorial Apply Scholarships Thumb


Other External Scholarships for Minnesota West Students >

Questions?

Contact our Communication Center at 800-658-2330

FAQs

How do I apply for scholarships?  When the scholarship application window is open, an “apply now” button will be available on this page.  Also, see tutorial video above.

When and how will I hear if I was awarded a Minnesota West scholarship?  You will be notified via the email you used to apply for the scholarships.  Notification emails will occur in May (for fall term) and in December (spring term).  Recipients must accept the scholarship using the link in that email.

When will my Minnesota West Scholarship be awarded? Minnesota West Foundation-based scholarships will apply to your student account within two weeks of the start of the term, along with any other need-based aid, such as Pell Grants and student loans.

Where can I view my scholarship awards?  You can view your scholarship awards in e-Services under the “Financial Aid” tab and then under the “Awards” tab. 

Why aren't my awards applied to my tuition balance yet?  When a scholarship is placed on your student account it will not automatically subtract from your tuition balance due. You can view your balance due by going to: e-Services, then “Bills and Payment”. You will need to calculate your total balance due by subtracting your Financial Aid and Scholarship Awards from your tuition balance. The amount remaining is what you owe. There are four ways to pay tuition:

For example: 
You go under the “Financial Aid” tab then under “Awards” and see you have a $1,000 scholarship and $500 in financial aid. Your total awards = $1,500. Then you go under “Bills and Payments” and see your tuition Balance is $2,000. 
$2,000 Balance – $1,500 Awards = $500 Due
After paying the $500 due, you will still have a tuition balance due of $1,500 until aid applies. Once aid applies on the ninth day of the semester your tuition balance due should be $0. 
Financial aid and scholarships are disbursed after the last day to add/drop classes each semester. You will see your awards applied to your tuition balance at this time.  Aid and scholarships are applied on the 9th day of the term and they are dispersed starting on the 11th day of the term.

What should I do with a scholarship check I received outside of Minnesota West? (External Scholarships)? If you have an external scholarship check please include the following information before mailing or delivering your check to campus: 

  • Information to include with the check – this can be written on a separate piece of paper: 
    • Your student Tech ID (8-digit number)
    • Your full name
    • Any documents that came with the check
    • Is the check “payable” to you (the student)?
      • If yes, sign the back of the check. 

How do I reset my login to the Scholarship App or find my scholarships? If students cannot locate their email that apprises them of the scholarship and the needed steps to complete to accept, follow these steps:

  • Log into the scholarship software (student will see that they have an award waiting to be accepted)
  • Here is the log-in link:  https://mnwest.academicworks.com/users/sign_in
  • Student should use the email address that they provided on the application.
  • If student has forgotten password, they will need to reset it using the “Trouble signing in “link
  • If your login is still not working, you can email scholarships@mnwest.edu for assistance

I applied for scholarships in the Fall but am eligible for awards in the spring, do I need to re-apply?  No, you do not need to re-apply.  The scholarship software will match you to any eligible scholarships.  However, you may need to log in and update your application.