Scholarships and financial aid
Rewarding student excellence
Each year, we award over $3.5 Million in undergraduate scholarships to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and unique talents.
At a glance: How it works
We know funding can be confusing. Here is the simple breakdown of how scholarships work at the University of Minnesota.
- University-Wide: When you apply to the University of Minnesota, you are automatically considered for general University scholarships. For questions about University-wide scholarships, please contact the Office of Admissions directly.
- CSE Collegiate: Once admitted to CSE, you are automatically reviewed for college-specific awards.
- Departmental: Specific majors (like Civil Engineering or Physics) have their own funds for students in their programs.
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Admission-based scholarships (automatic consideration)
There is no separate scholarship application for most CSE incoming first-year student awards.
How it works
Holistic review
Scholarship decisions are based on a holistic review of your admission application. This means we look at the whole picture—your academic preparation, your unique personal story, and how your specific background might match you to unique donor funds.
Because our scholarships are highly competitive, no single factor (such as a specific GPA or test score) guarantees an award. Instead, the Office of Admissions and the CSE Scholarship Committee assess three main areas:
- Academic Factors: We look at the overall trend of your high school performance, including grades, class rank, and curriculum rigor (AP, IB, etc.).
- Context Factors: We consider who you are outside the classroom. This includes evidence of leadership, community service, family responsibilities, and evidence of overcoming social or economic barriers.
- Donor-Specified Criteria: Many of our scholarships are funded by generous scholarship benefactors who wish to support students from specific communities or who are pursuing specific majors and academic interests. We review your application to see if you match these unique criteria, such as being from a specific hometown, high school, or geographic region (e.g., Greater Minnesota) or with an intention to major in a specific area.
Want the deep dive? For more details regarding what’s considered in the decision process for University scholarships, please visit the Office of Admissions Holistic Review page.
Notification
If selected, you will be notified by the Office of Admissions and via the Application Tracker by the end of March of your high school senior year.
Award
Many first-year awards are four-year scholarships. You will receive a set amount each year for four years, provided you maintain specific requirements (like a minimum GPA and progress toward your degree).
Important note on financial need: To be considered for need-based scholarships, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Even if you think you might not qualify, we highly recommend filing it to unlock all potential funding sources.
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Department scholarships
In addition to college-wide awards, many of our academic departments (e.g., Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering) award their own scholarships to incoming first-year students.
How to apply
In most cases, this is also based on your admission application if you have indicated a specific major.
Learn more
If you have questions about specific department scholarships, please contact the department directly.
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Merit-based continuing scholarships
Current students are invited to apply for annual merit-based awards (typically one-year scholarships).
Eligibility requirements
To be invited to apply, you typically need:
- At least 3 completed semesters of full-time enrollment in CSE.
- A 3.4 GPA or higher.
- Successful progress toward degree completion.
- Strong leadership, research, or extracurricular involvement.
Process
Invitation only: You do not need to search for these applications. If you meet the GPA and semester requirements, we will email you an invitation to apply, typically in February.
One application: You complete a single application to be considered for all eligible merit-based scholarships.
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Department specific awards
Many departments offer funds specifically for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in their majors. These are separate from the college-wide process. We recommend asking your departmental advisor about these opportunities annually.
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CSE Study abroad scholarships
Taking your education global? We have funds specifically for that. Limited CSE scholarships are available for students participating in study abroad programs.
Email [email protected] for requirements and application details.
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Learning Abroad Center scholarships
The University’s Learning Abroad Center (LAC) offers students to apply for specific study abroad scholarships. Go to the LAC scholarship webpage for more detailed information.
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External scholarships
Since CSE funding is competitive and limited, we strongly encourage you to "stack" your scholarships by looking outside the University.
- Where to look: Community organizations, local businesses, and national foundations often have funds that go unclaimed.
- Resource: Visit the One Stop Student Services webpage for a verified list of external scholarship links.
Still have questions?
We know this is a lot to navigate, but if you have specific questions about CSE awards, we are here to help. Email us at [email protected].