University of Minnesota Promise Scholarships
(U Promise)

U Promise is available to eligible undergraduate students enrolling at any University of Minnesota campus. It is comprised of the U Promise Free Tuition Scholarship and the U Promise Middle Income Scholarship.

U Promise Free Tuition Scholarship

The U Promise Free Tuition Scholarship is a special award program that benefits qualified incoming students from Minnesota who meet certain financial need requirements.

The Founders Free Tuition Program guarantees grant and gift assistance in an amount at least equal to tuition and required fees on each University campus for all new incoming University of Minnesota students who are Minnesota residents and who are eligible for federal Pell grants.

The program will benefit a majority of students from families with an annual income less than $50,000. These are the students who most typically qualify for a federal Pell grant. Pell-eligibility, not income level, is the defining criterion for eligibility for the Founders Free Tuition Program.

U Promise Middle Income Scholarship

The U Promise Middle Income Scholarship is awarded to students with a family income range of $40,000–$100,000, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The award range is from $500–$1,750 per year.

To receive this award, a student must meet the following criteria:

• File a FAFSA
• Be enrolled in a full-time, undergraduate program,
• Be a Minnesota resident, with family income range of $40,000–$100,000.

The award amount varies and is based on the parents' adjusted gross income for dependent students, and on the student's adjusted gross income for independent students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be considered for the Founders Free Tuition Program?

Incoming freshmen and transfer students from Minnesota who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to enrolling will automatically be considered for this award program based on financial need.

To be eligible, students must:

• Apply to and be admitted to a University of Minnesota campus, having satisfied all of the University's preparation requirements.
• Be classified as a resident of Minnesota according to University regulations.
• Complete the FAFSA recommended by the March 1 priority deadline.
• Be eligible to receive a federal Pell grant.
• Enroll full-time, taking at least 12 credits a semester, in a baccalaureate degree program at the University of Minnesota , Crookston

Be working on your first undergraduate degree.

If you do not qualify for the U Promise Free Tuition Scholarship, then you will be considered for the U Promise Middle Income Scholarship.

What are the next steps?

1. Apply for admission!
2. Apply for financial aid! Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) recommended by the March 1 priority deadline.

For more information regarding eligibility and requirements, please contact Financial Aid at 218-281-8569 or 1-800-862-6466 or email at umc-fa@umn.edu.

Are both U Promise Scholarships renewable?

Students who enter the University as new freshmen are eligible to be considered for up to four years of support under this program. New transfer students are eligible for up to two years of support.

Requirements for renewal:

• Continue to be classified as a resident of Minnesota .
• Complete the FAFSA each year.
• Continue to be eligible for a federal Pell grant (For U Promise Free Tuition Scholarship).
• Maintain full-time enrollment, taking at least 13 credits a semester, in a baccalaureate degree program at the University of Minnesota .
• Maintain consecutive term enrollment every fall and spring semester.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of your degree.
• Be working on your first undergraduate degree.

Is the U Promise Scholarship program available for summer semester?

No, the U Promise Program is not available for summer semester.  You may be eligible for other types of aid for summer semester if you qualify.

Does the University offer other types of scholarships for new students?

Freshman scholarships
UMC offers a number of merit scholarships for incoming freshmen who demonstrate academic achievement. Award amounts range from $600 for one year to $20,000 ($5,000 each year for four years).

Transfer scholarships
Transfer scholarships are available for transfer students who achieve a 3.25 cumulative GPA while attending a prior institution of higher education.