Scholarships
SMSU Scholarships
Scholarships for Southwest Minnesota State University students are made possible by financial contributions received from alumni, businesses, foundations and other friends of the institution. Qualifications and eligibility requirements for scholarships vary.
Students who receive scholarships are strongly encouraged to write a thank-you letter to the individual, business or organization funding the award. Donors want to know that their money is being used to further the educational endeavors of their scholarship recipients.
New Undergraduate Student Scholarships
The Admissions Office and Academic Departments award Scholarships for New Entering and Transfer Students on campus. Visit our Scholarships page to learn more!
Continuing Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Scholarships for SMSU students are made possible by financial contributions received from alumni, businesses, foundations, and other friends of the institution. Qualifications and eligibility requirements vary and we encourage everyone to apply. The Financial Aid Office awards nearly $100,000 in scholarships each year for the following academic year. Applicants must be current students seeking their first bachelors degree. Visit our Scholarships page to learn more!
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program
The Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award.
Scholarships are available to eligible Minnesota resident students of ¼ or more Indian ancestry attending eligible accredited institutions in Minnesota. Students are eligible to receive a scholarship for up to five years of study at the undergraduate level and an additional five years of study at the graduate level. Students in certificate, diploma or associates degree programs are eligible to receive the scholarship for no more than three years in order to reserve the remaining two years of undergraduate eligibility for the completion of a bachelors degree. Students may receive the scholarship for only one degree per undergraduate educational level and one doctorate or professional degree. The award amount is based on need up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate students and up to $6,000 for graduate students.
The on-line Minnesota Indian Scholarship application must be completed to be considered for this award.
Oscar and Cora Sather Endowed Scholarship
Recipients shall be Native Americans who can verify American Indian lineage through a federally-recognized tribe. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply online. Students must be fulltime and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Scholarship From Outside Sources
Scholarships awarded to students from outside sources are considered a part of a students financial aid package. These scholarships are awarded to students to help defray costs related to their attendance at a post-secondary institution. Students are required to inform the Student Financial Aid Office of any scholarship awards they may be receiving from their high school, community clubs, organizations, scholarship foundations or other resources.
Students are encouraged to contact their high school, local organizations and review information located at the library regarding scholarship dollars available. A few web sites that students may want to refer to are:
Last Modified: 11/2/22 3:27 PM | Website Feedback