Achieve Scholarship Program
The Achieve Scholarship Program is a state of Minnesota funded gift program designed to address two critical barriers to college attendance: lack of academic preparation and financial access. Minnesota high school graduates who complete any one of four sets of courses defined as rigorous earn a one-time scholarship to help pay for college at a public or private university or college in Minnesota. Eligible students who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 can receive a one-time scholarship of $1,200 available for use within the four years immediately following their high school graduation. Students who graduate after January 1, 2009 and enroll for 15 credits in an eligible college or university in the academic year immediately following their high school graduation can receive a one-time scholarship for use in their first academic year ranging from $1,200 to approximately $4,000 depending on financial need.
The Achieve Scholarship is based on availability of funds from the state of Minnesota and the student’s enrollment status as of the Essential Deadline of each term.
To be eligible, a student who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 must:
- Enroll for 12 credits in an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota
- Have a parental adjusted gross income of less than $75,000 reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year during which the scholarship is requested (this limit also applies to the adjusted gross income reported for independent students)
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Be a Minnesota resident attending Minnesota college
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota
- Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts
- Successfully complete the first term of college enrollment in order to receive the second $600 installment of the Achieve Scholarship
- Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting
To be eligible, a student who graduated after January 1, 2009 must:
- Enroll for 15 credits in an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota within the first academic year immediately following high school graduation
- Be eligible to receive either a Federal Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Be a Minnesota resident attending Minnesota college
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota
- Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts
- Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting
Additional Award for online course completion in High School
Eligible students who graduated after January 1, 2009 and who have completed at least one online course while in high school may receive an additional award of $150 to be used in conjunction with the Achieve Scholarship award.
The Priority deadline to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the University of Minnesota, Morris to the federal processor is March 1.
How to apply for the Achieve Scholarship:
- Students must first graduate from high school
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the Achieve Scholarship Application
- Submit the application to the Office of Higher Education along with an official high school transcript
For more information, visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
