Minnesota Scholarships

Gold Scholar Award is a University of Minnesota scholarship for up to $10,000 annually for four years. Selection is based on academic achievement, but enrollment in honors courses, outstanding talent, diversity, and community leadership are also considered. Preference is given to National Merit Finalists. Recipients must list the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as their first-choice college by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation deadline. To be eligible, you must reside in Minnesota or qualify for MN Dream Act, apply to the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, and enroll as a full-time freshman. Consideration for the scholarship is automatic upon application to UM. The deadline is the same as the undergraduate application deadline. Read more here.

Puckett Scholars Program is a University of Minnesota scholarship for $4,000 annually for four years. Preference is given to students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership and/or community involvement, financial need, and who have excellent potential to succeed at the college level. To be eligible, you must be a high school senior from Minnesota, apply to the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, and enroll as a full-time freshman. Consideration for the scholarship is automatic upon application to UM. The deadline is the same as the undergraduate application deadline. Read more here.

Paul Antonich Scholarship Fund is a one-time $2,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior boy on the track and/or cross-country team at Denfeld and East High School. The recipient is a student who encourages others, demonstrates dedication & good citizenship, and promotes team unity. The candidates must also show respect and dignity toward others. The recipient is chosen by the East and Denfeld Athletic departments, so contact them directly if interested in applying. Read more here.

Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship helps students who have demonstrated outstanding ability, achievement and potential in one of several subjects: English or creative writing, fine arts, foreign language, math, science, or social science. High school graduates must be admitted to enroll full-time in a nonsectarian, baccalaureate degree-granting program at: the University of Minnesota; a Minnesota state university; or, a Minnesota private, baccalaureate degree-granting college or university. At public institutions, the scholarship may cover up to the full price of tuition and fees for one academic year. At private institutions, the scholarship may cover either the actual tuition and fees charged by that school, or the tuition and fees in comparable public institutions. The deadline varies. Learn more here.

Minnesota Public Safety Officers’ Survivor Grant is $17,370 for students in a 4-year degree or graduate program and $6,679 for students in a 2-year degree program, prorated for term length and enrollment level. This provides educational benefits to Pell-eligible dependent children and the surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1973. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program or a graduate degree program at an eligible Minnesota institution that participates in the State Grant Program. The deadline varies. Read more here.

Melanie & June Nelson scholarship is $3,000. This scholarship is awarded to two female students with an Owatonna mailing address or who has worked at an Owatonna business for the past two years. The winners should be high school graduates or possess a GED and pursue a career-specific field of study. The deadline varies depending on the semester you are applying for. Learn more here.

The Duluth Builders Exchange Legacy Fund is composed of three individual scholarship programs. A scholarship for students at four-year degree granting schools related to the construction industry ($1000-$2500), a scholarship for students enrolled at two-year schools in fields related to the construction industry ($1000-$2500), and a scholarship providing up to $500 for tools and safety gear for individuals entering the trades through an apprenticeship program. A scholarship for students enrolled at two-year schools in fields related to the construction industry. Examples include: Boilermaker, Carpenter, Electrician, Equipment Operator, Elevator Mechanic, Glazier, HVAC, Insulator, Iron Worker, Landscaper, Mason, Millwright, Painter, Plasterer, Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker, Ironworker, Roofer, Welder – and others. For those seeking degrees, certificates and diplomas. The deadlines are Oct 3rd and May 1st. In other words, this scholarship varies. More information here.

Superior East High All-Class Reunion Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship to a graduate of Superior East High School or to the child or grandchild of a graduate of Superior East High School. One scholarship (of about $800/year), co-payable to the student and institution will be awarded each year. Generally, this annual award is divided into two installments – half for fall, half for spring. The deadline varies. Read more here.

Fulford-Karp Physics Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship that will be competitively awarded to one first-year student who demonstrates interest in pursuing a degree in the field of physics. To maintain the scholarship annually, students must declare a major in either physics or applied physics by the end of their sophomore year and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Review of the Fulford-Karp applications will begin on February 1st for HS students, and will continue until a recipient is chosen. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply by that date. Apply here.

Dian and Harlan Stai Honors Scholarship is $5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000. This is awarded to outstanding high school seniors from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Students are chosen for Stai Honors through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement. Stai Honors recipients will be required to participate in the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College. The on-campus interviews take place in January. The deadline varies. Learn more here.

The 20 Rifle & Pistol Club/ Straight River Archery Club Scholarship provides two $500 or one $1000 awards for club members and their families the financial means to further their education goals and establish their future career path. Applications should be submitted to the club’s headquarters. More info here.

Alliance for Greater Equity Scholarship will award multiple, one-time annual scholarships to racially marginalized students who are choosing to pursue a post-secondary degree. Applicants must be accepted into an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters, or trade/technical school program and be graduating from any high school in Owatonna. Find application here.

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship- Minnesota Department are 8 grants awarded to deserving sons or daughters, grandsons or granddaughters of a veteran who need financial assistance to avail themselves of higher education at the post-secondary level. These scholarships are to be applied only toward the expenses of tuition, books or similar fees, at an accredited institution of higher learning.  Each scholarship will be paid directly to the school, in the amount of $1,000.00 for any one year. Satisfactory progress must be made with grades reported to the Department of Minnesota. Find application here.

 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship- Past Presidents Parley Health Care is a $1000 award which has been established to assist needy and deserving students or adults to commence or further their education in any phase of the health care field including the entire medical, nursing and dental support fields such as registered nurses, nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, X-ray or other technician, dieticians, physical or other therapist, dental hygienist or dental assistant, etc.  Find application here.

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship- Junior Member Loyalty are ten $2500 awards. Candidates for this award shall have been Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the past three consecutive years and be a paid member for the current membership year. Applicant must continue their membership in the American Legion Auxiliary during the scholarship period.  Find application here.

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship- Spirit of Youth are five $5000 awards. Candidates for this award shall be/shall have been Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, have held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the past three consecutive years, and must be a paid member for the current membership year. Applicants must continue their membership in the American Legion Auxiliary during the scholarship period.  Find application here.

 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship- Children of Warriors are fifteen $5000 awards. Candidates for this award shall be direct descendants of veterans who served in the US Armed Forces during eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion:  April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941.  Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.  Find application here.

Amesbury Truth Scholarship are two $2000 awards offered by the AmesburyTruth Tyman group that would like to recognize graduating Owatonna students that plan to attend a Technical or Trade School in the fall by awarding each with a $2,000 scholarship toward their schooling. Find application here.

Augsburg Family Scholars Scholarship is a new program to narrow the opportunity gap for students with foster care backgrounds starting in Fall 2022.  The program builds on Minnesota’s Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant, a state financial aid program that covers tuition, room and board, textbooks, some supplies, and fees at participating institutions, including Augsburg. This scholarship is available to students who were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after their 13th birthday, and who are currently younger than 27. The amount varies- find more information here, 

Beatrice Natzel Americanism Scholarship is in place to award $500 in post-secondary financial assistance to an Owatonna or Medford school district student, in memory of Beatrice Natzel and her endless dedication to educating youth and adults about Americanism.  Applicants must have participated in the V.F. W Voice of Democracy or Young American Patriotic Art programs within the last four years. Find application here.

Bruce Larson Scholarship is a $1200 grant to a student of Somali descent with the award to be used towards a two or four year postsecondary education.

Charles and Norma Buxton Scholarship is a $5000 award renewable for up to four years. Academics, character, financial need and recommendations are emphasized in this award given to a graduating senior planning to attend a two or four-year college or university. An essay is submitted about how Owatonna has contributed to the applicant and what he/she has become and how he/she might wish to give something back to the community in the future. Find application here.

Class of 1958 Scholarship is a $1200 award for an OHS graduating male planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university. Must have a 2.0 or higher GPA. Find application here.

 All students who have submitted an application and all supporting documents by the listed deadline are evaluated holistically, based upon academic and non-academic information provided on their admission application. Academic components considered include high school GPA and academic honors. Non-academic items include leadership experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, employment and non-academic honors. This scholarship has a value of $6,000 up to tuition. More information here

Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship – offers senior high school and 1st/2nd year college students with multiple scholarship opportunities. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic work ethic. Minimum GPA: 3.0 . Apply here.

Chester E. and Marion D. Groth Music Scholarship is a tuition scholarship renewable for an additional 3 years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever is first. To be eligible, you must be a senior from a MN High school with a 3.0+ GPA entering college as a freshman. You must also plan to pursue a music major in education, performance, or music therapy and have at least 2 years of formal training in some aspect of music. Learn more here.

 Alex Matthew Pettman Memorial Scholarship provides two $1000 awards  to individuals who have struggled with mental illness or have been impacted by suicide. Must be attending some form of postsecondary education/training in Fall 2026. Priority given to Minnesota students. Find an application here.

 David Vang Living Legacy Scholarship is two awards for $1,000. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien as well as a Minnesota resident of Hmong descent. You must also be a high school senior, high school or GED graduate pursuing an education to better themselves and others. Minimum GPA of 3.0. More details here.

North Star Promise Scholarship covers full tuition and fees for eligible Minnesota residents at public colleges by paying what remains after other aid. Students must have a family income under $80,000, meet academic progress, and not already have a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship supports up to 60 credits for a 2-year degree or 120 for a 4-year degree. No separate application is needed beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act form. Read more here.