The American Indian Scholars Program (AISP) was established in the 2023 Minnesota 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. 

Who is eligible?  
Student must be either: 

• Minnesota resident who qualifies for resident tuition and an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation; or 
• Student who does not qualify for Minnesota resident tuition but is an enrolled member or citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation. 

Application Requirements:

• Completed AISP application
• A copy of the students Tribal Enrollment Card 
• Applicant must have a cumulative credit limit of under 180 attempted credits, including credits attempted at other schools 
• Be registered for at least one credit 
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program 
• Not have already obtained a bachelor’s degree 

Important to know about the program: 

• Students do not have to complete a FAFSA 
• This scholarship covers tuition and fees only
• It may reduce eligibility in other financial aid programs such as student loans 

How to apply? 

• Complete the online application and upload a copy of your enrollment card above or,
• Pick up a paper application from the Financial Aid Office  

*Applicants must submit a copy of their Tribal Enrollment Card with their application 
Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office.

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who demonstrate financial need for an award.

Who is Eligible?
Scholarships are available to students who:

• Are one-fourth or more American Indian ancestry OR an enrolled member or citizen of a federally-recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation
• Are a Minnesota resident
• Apply for other existing state and federal scholarship and grant programs
• Enroll at least ¾ time as an undergraduate OR ½ time as a graduate student in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at an accredited postsecondary institution in Minnesota
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Are not in default on a federal or state student loan or, if in default, have regained eligibility for federal or state student aid
• Qualify for either a Pell or State Grant and demonstrate financial need as an undergraduate student OR demonstrate financial need as a graduate student.

What Is the Application Process?
Interested students should complete the Minnesota Indian Scholarship application below. They should also complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application and an application for tribal education funds.

Apply Online Now:
MISP Online Student Application
Creating a MNAid Student Portal Account/Applying for MISP
Uploading Ancestry Documents
2024-2025 Indian Scholarship Application

Students are encouraged to contact the school financial aid office at their campus and their tribal education program (see list below). The priority deadline is July 1.

Information and application forms also are available from:

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

Lara Gerhardson, Outreach Liaison
Tel: (651) 259-3939
E-mail: Lara.Gerhardson@state.mn.us

Overview
The Alliss Two-Year Opportunity Grant is available to students with financial need who are attending Minnesota State Colleges, and who are enrolled in A.A., A.S., A.A.S., A.F.A., diplomas, certificates and MnTC courses designed to transfer to baccalaureate programs

Program Eligibility

1. Grants are available to students with financial need who are attending Minnesota State Colleges, enrolled in A.A., A.S., A.A.S., A.F.A., diplomas, certificates and MnTC courses designed to transfer to baccalaureate programs
2. Recipients cannot have already received a baccalaureate degree
3. Recipients do not have to be Minnesota residents
4. Awards may be made for an amount between $350 -$1100 per year, which may be renewable (but not automatically) until the student has been enrolled for 150% of the length of their program, measured in credits
5. Grants will be processed and awarded through the College’s normal financial aid application process, and may be used to meet remaining need after the student has received Pell and/or MN State Grants
6. Recipients will be required to meet with an advisor to create a baccalaureate degree-completion plan – this meeting must occur during the semester for which the award is granted

Award procedure
The procedure for selecting recipients of the Alliss Opportunity Grant varies from campus to campus. Please contact the financial aid office to apply.

The Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program helps low income students who have young children pay for child care while the student attends classes.

Who is Eligible?

• Minnesota residents who have a child 12 years old or younger (or 14 or younger if the child is handicapped) and whose family size and income qualify for the program. To qualify, students also must:
  • Be Minnesota residents.
  • Be enrolled 1-12 credits or more per term (undergraduates) or 1-6 credits or more per term (graduates).
  • Has not received child care grant funds for a period of ten semesters or the equivalent. Students who have withdrawn for active military service after December 31, 2002 are given an extra term of eligibility.
  • Not have defaulted on a student loan.
• The student must not be receiving assistance from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). Individuals receiving MFIP at this time should contact their County Social Office of Higher Education to get additional information about child care assistance.
  
  How do I apply?
  Interested students should complete the Postsecondary Child Care Grant application. Students also must complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application.
  
  If you have questions about this program, please contact financialaid.ohe@state.mn.us and provide a detailed description of your question.

Social Determinants Funding Criteria

• The purpose of this Fund is to provide funding to individuals and families with emergency needs when other services or funds are unavailable.
• The applicant must be a current student in the Minnesota North College ADC-T/LADC program.
• The applicant has not received disbursements from the Emergency Fund within the last 12 months.
• You can only apply once in a 12-month period.
• The need has been created by an unforeseen event that has resulted in an emergency.
• The Fund requires an application and possible meeting (zoom or phone) with the designated coordinator to determine eligibility.
• Must be currently enrolled in 5 credits or more or enrolled in the upcoming semester for eligibility.
• The fund may not cover your total expense.

Only students ineligible for financial aid and from MN rural counties will be considered. Applications MUST be completed in full to be considered for the scholarship. Students must reapply each semester and register in the Addiction Studies Program at Minnesota North College.

Disclaimer: Minnesota North College Addiction Studies Department reserves the right to accept or deny any application for the grant or scholarship. Grant/Scholarship funded by Minnesota Blue Cross Blue Shield. YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS TO QUALIFY FOR GRANT/SCHOLARSHIP YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE REVIEWED SHOULD IT BE INCOMPLETE

Beginning in fall 2024, the 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.

Click here to download the North Star Promise Program Fact Sheet.

The North Star Promise Fact Sheet is also available in Spanish. Click here to download.

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.

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000.
• Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College
• Not be in default on a state or federal student loan
• Be enrolled taking at least one credit
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree
• Be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application

There is no additional application beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application. The eligible college or university you are attending will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and award North Star Promise Scholarships to all eligible students.