Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, and awards.

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Finance administers all financial aid programs at the University of Minnesota. Information regarding financial aid, including frequently asked questions, cost calculators, and residency/reciprocity, can be found through the Office of Admissions.

All students seeking financial aid are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The electronic application is available online at fafsa.ed.gov.

Scholarships

Freshman applicants are automatically considered for various college-wide and University-wide scholarships.

While department-based awards are not granted to incoming students, several scholarships are available for current students with a declared major or interest in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or geotechnical engineering.

Scholarships for current students

Student Awards

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering has the following student awards:

The Simon and Claire Benson Award

The department annually presents The Simon and Claire Benson Award to an undergraduate student who stand out academically and in other ways (service, involvement in the department, etc.). Awardees are chosen by a faculty committee. The Simon and Claire Benson Award, which includes a cash prize, represents the highest achievment within the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering. 

Chester D. Okerlund Award

This award is annually presented to the student with the highest grade point average in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering graduating class.  A cash award is also included with this award.

ASCE Awards

The Minnesota Section of ASCE holds an annual spring banquet to recognize scholarship recipients and to present student awards. ASCE sponsors the Archie & Marie Carter Scholarship that is awarded to a civil engineering student who is an active member of the student chapter, strong academically, and a Minnesota resident. ASCE also presents the ASCE Student Activity Award, the ASCE Outstanding Student Award, and the ASCE SEI scholarship for structures students.