High School Student Scholarships

Academic Scholarships for First-Year Students

  • Maverick Scholarship Awards. Maverick scholarships are one-year, non-renewable scholarships awarded based on high school GPA. Students must be admitted by March 1, 2024, to automatically qualify for a Maverick Scholarship. If a student’s GPA improves, the student must provide this updated information to the Scholarship Director by March 1, 2024.
High School GPA Maverick Scholarship
3.5 - 3.74 $750
3.75 - 3.99 $1,000
4.00 $1,250
  • Presidential Scholarship Awards. Presidential Scholarships are awarded to selected new students based on GPA, leadership, personal essays, and interviews. Students must apply for the Presidential Scholarship at mnsu.edu/scholarshipfinder and rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class OR possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8 to be considered. These $20,000 scholarships are awarded over four years. The deadline to apply is January 15.
  • Meredith Scholarship Award. The Meredith Scholarship of $32,000 ($8,000 per year for four years) will be awarded to one selected undergraduate student who has demonstrated the potential and commitment to pursue a scholarly career in mathematics or natural sciences. This includes majors in mathematics, mathematics education, biological sciences, life science, physics, chemistry, astronomy, or physical science. Students must rank in the Top 10% of their high school class. U.S. citizenship with residence in southern Minnesota is preferred. Residents from greater Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin will also be considered. The deadline to apply is January 15.
  • North Star Promise Scholarship. Minnesota residents with a family-adjusted gross income below $80,000 would be eligible for the North Star Promise Scholarship, which will cover tuition and fees for residents who attend Minnesota State University, Mankato, beginning Fall 2024 - awards cover 100% of remaining tuition and fees after other grants and scholarships are deducted.

    Requirements: Apply for admission to Minnesota State Mankato and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

  • Graham Chemistry Scholarship. This one-year $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a student who expresses an interest in majoring in chemistry. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be considered.
  • National Merit Finalist Scholarship. Are you a high school student who is a National Merit Scholarship finalist? If you list Minnesota State University, Mankato, as the institution you plan to attend, you will receive an $8,000 (over four years) scholarship from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Apply for a National Merit Finalist Scholarship.

Please visit the scholarship opportunities page to be considered for the Presidential Scholar Awards, the Graham Chemistry Scholarships, the Meredith Scholar Awards, or the Honors Program.

The Presidential, Graham Chemistry, and Meredith Scholarships will be awarded in addition to any Maverick Scholarship a student qualifies for.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Departments and Colleges

Minnesota State Mankato offers many scholarships through individual departments, colleges, and programs.

ROTC Scholarships

Open to incoming and current students, the United States Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarships offer 100 percent college tuition, educational fees, and a designated book allowance.

Talent Grants

High school seniors can apply for talent grants in the following areas: creative writing, music, speech, and theater. The grants are non-renewable and apply toward a student's first-year tuition.

Athletic awards

Minnesota State Mankato participates in all funding opportunities available to NCAA Division II institutions (Division I for Men's and Women's Hockey). Prospective student-athletes should contact the head coach of their individual sport for more information. Visit the Mavericks Athletics website.

In-state Tuition

Non-Minnesota residents may be eligible for in-state tuition rates if you meet certain requirements. (This does not include students in the reciprocity states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin or students in programs with one tuition rate for all students regardless of residency.)

In-state Tuition Requirements for First-Year Students

High school graduates who meet any of the following requirements will automatically receive an in-state tuition scholarship: 

  • rank in the top 15 percent of their high school class, OR
  • have a GPA of 3.8, OR
  • have an ACT composite score of 25, OR
  • have an SAT Total of 1200.

Legacy In-state Tuition

A student may qualify for in-state tuition if one or both parents graduated from Minnesota State Mankato. The application for the Legacy In-state Tuition Scholarship is available in Scholarship Finder.

For any questions on scholarship opportunities, contact Admissions at 507-389-1822 or email admissions@mnsu.edu.