Having a plan to pay for college is an important part of your journey. Our primary advice is to apply for the FAFSA, and to apply for scholarships, both internal to BSU, and external.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Federal grants are awarded to students based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Grants do not have to be repaid. To qualify an eligible student must be an undergraduate who has not earned a bachelor or professional degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your award notification includes grants, you are not required to formally accept them. They will automatically be applied<\/strong> to your student bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a plan to pay for college is an important part of your journey. Our primary advice is to apply for the FAFSA, and to apply for scholarships, both internal to BSU, and external.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of what grants are available, including any additional criteria. The grants are divided by federal and state status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Federal grants do not need to be repaid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n State grants apply to Minnesota state residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Minnesota State Grant<\/i><\/a> is awarded to undergraduate Minnesota residents with a low EFC attending a MN post-secondary institution. Once a student has attempted the equivalent of 4 full-time years of post-secondary education, the student is no longer eligible for the grant. Awards change on a per credit basis for enrollment between 3 and 15 credits. The FAFSA has to be completed and received by the school within the first 30 days of the semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Were you part of a large layoff? Or was your company downsized? You may be eligible for career development, job search, and other services. Financial support may be available to those who have lost a job due to layoffs or downsizing and pandemic response. DWP offers free services which are tailored to individual’s specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may qualify for this program if you are: out of work through no fault of your own eligible for Unemployment Insurance unlikely to return to your previous occupation or industry. Contact CareerForce<\/i><\/a> to see if you qualify for DWP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MN Dream Act<\/i><\/a> provides certain benefits to undocumented students who meet the following criteria: attended a MN high school for at least 3 years; graduated from a MN high school or earned a GED in MN; complied with Selective Service registration requirements (applies only to male students ages 18 to 25); provide documentation to show they have applied for lawful immigration status but only if a federal process exists for a student to do so (does not include applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). There is currently not a federal process in place so this documentation is not currently required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Education and Training Voucher (ETV)<\/i><\/a> is for foster youth and provides up to $5,000 per award year to pay for post-secondary education, including: tuition and fees, books, housing, transportation, child care, other school-related expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Family AGI for a dependent student includes parent and student AGI and for an independent student it includes student and spouse AGI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Student eligibility for the grant will be determined every semester. You will need to fill out the FAFSA each year. A student who receives a grant one semester is not guaranteed to receive funding for the next semester. Eligibility is subject to the availability of funds and any changes in your enrollment, FAFSA or other financial aid may change the amount you receive each semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are eligible for a Minnesota Future Together Grant<\/i><\/a>, your college will contact you with an award amount or additional questions to determine your eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do not receive a communication from the Financial Aid Office but believe that you are eligible, please email financialaid@bemdijistate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MN GI Bill program<\/i><\/a> provides assistance to eligible MN Veterans, currently serving military, National Guard and Reserve members who served after September 11, 2001 and eligible spouse and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minnesota residents who are one-fourth or more American Indian or who are an enrolled member or citizen of a federally-recognized American Indian tribe or Canadian First Nation may be eligible for the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program<\/i><\/a>. Students of American Indian ancestry may also be eligible for a Tribal Grant. Students should contact their individual Tribal Education Office for specific information and application forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are Minnesota residents, meet income guidelines and have out of pocket child care expenses are considered for this grant. The student must have a dependent child 12 years of age or younger or a dependent child with a disability 14 year or younger who will be receiving care regularly. Eligibility<\/i><\/a> is restricted to those students who are not receiving Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) benefits. Funds are limited and applications are processed until all funds are awarded. Submit your application now<\/a>. Maximum award is $6,500 prorated for EFC range and enrollment level, for each eligible child per nine-month academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MN Student Teacher Grants<\/i><\/a> provide postsecondary financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in MN teacher preparation programs during one term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience. The grant is intended to serve low-income students who meet one or more of three eligible definitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the three ways a student may be eligible for one of the programs: Belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group; intend to teach in a license shortage area; intend to teach in a rural school district in MN after graduating and receiving their teaching license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students must complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application for the aid year, showing demonstrated financial need. Apply for a Minnesota Student Teacher Grant<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Workforce Development Scholarship<\/a> program offers a $2,500 award for students who received the scholarship at a Minnesota State college and transfer into an eligible bachelor’s program at 91̽»¨. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are some other opportunities to research. Some may not apply to your situation, but they are all worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students admitted into a designated high-need subject area at BSU with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Within 8 years of completing\/ceasing their program, the student must teach full time for four years in their high-need area in a designated low income school or the TEACH Grant will become an unsubsidized loan with accrued interest. Additional information can be found in the TEACH Grant Application<\/a> and the TEACH Grant Information Sheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BSU provides individual grants to deserving athletes. The grants are awarded by the coaches in each sport and may vary in amounts based upon individual athletic ability. Athletic grants are regulated by BSU, NCAA and league rules and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship (ECS<\/i><\/a>) is an annual award administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. This scholarship aids American Indian students in their pursuit of higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Awards generally range from $1000-$5000 per academic year, but may vary. The scholarship is open from March 1 to May 31 annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be eligible for priority consideration, an applicant must meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship Application<\/i><\/a> is a fillable form and must be downloaded prior to use. Applicants who are not able to use fillable forms may print the application and fill it out by hand. Applications must be submitted March 1 – May 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Educational benefits for tuition assistance may be available through the Rural MN CEP Office<\/i><\/a> for students who are in their senior year of college. This program is income based as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supplemental funding program to assist Minnesotans with low incomes in developing pathways to marketable and in-demand skills, leading to career advancement and self-sufficiency, contributing to an inclusive and diverse workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you receive SNAP benefits, you may qualify for education assistance. Contact a CareerForce specialist and find SNAP training providers<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veterans may earn educational benefits<\/i><\/a> based on their U.S. military service. The federal VA education<\/i><\/a> benefits help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. In addition, if you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment<\/i><\/a> can help. VR&E can helps with learning new skills, finding a new job, starting a business, getting educational counseling, or returning to your former job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re an active-duty service member or Veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent, contact CareerForce Veterans Resources<\/i><\/a> to find your options for education, training and job search assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a disability that makes it hard for you to get and keep a job, you may be eligible for a variety of counseling, training, job skills and job placement services. Financial assistance can include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tools and equipment for training. Educational benefits are available for people with disabilities<\/i><\/a> to help achieve their employment and independent living goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Provide your job counselor medical reports assessing your ability to: Get from one place to another Talk and listen to others Take care of yourself Make and carry out plans Get along with others Contact CareerForce<\/i><\/a> to see if you qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A federal program that gives workers the chance to learn the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the new economy. Under WIOA, training programs are certified as meeting certain standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTypes of Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Federal Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Federal Pell Grant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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State Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
North Star Promise Scholarship Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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American Indian Scholars Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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MN State Grant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Dislocated Worker Program (DWP)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Dream Act<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Education and Training Voucher (ETV)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Income Eligibility<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Other Eligibility Factors<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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MN GI Bill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Indian Scholarship and Tribal Grants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Postsecondary Child Care Grant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN Student Teacher Grants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MN State Workforce Development Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Additional Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
TEACH Grant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Athletic Grants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Rural MN CEP<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Veteran’s Benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n