Scholarships

Award Amount: Resident Tuition Rate

This award means that you’ll pay the Minnesota resident (in-state) tuition rate rather than the non-resident (out-of-state) tuition rate starting Fall 2022.

You can think of it as a roughly $6,700 scholarship.

Students from reciprocity states (WI, ND, SD) will receive the grant but are still eligible to apply for reciprocity. Reciprocity may provide students with a lower cost depending upon tuition rates from participating states.

How to Qualify:

• Be a resident of another U.S. state
• You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU

This scholarship is renewable if you maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at WSU.

Award Amount: $3,500 per academic year

How to Qualify:

• Have a 4.0 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
• You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU

WSU awards more than a half-million dollars in Academic Achievement Scholarships to highly-qualified students each year. These prestigious scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and potential.

All WSU applicants are automatically considered for the Academic Achievement scholarships, so there’s no extra paperwork to complete—and you’ll be guaranteed the money for which you qualify.

This scholarship is renewable for your sophomore, junior, and senior years if you maintain at least a 3.5 GPA at WSU.

Award Amount: $1,000-$2,500 per academic year

For domestic students in the United States, the award amount is based on GPA.

For international students, the award amount is based on test scores.

How to Qualify:

You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU.

This scholarship is renewable for your sophomore, junior, and senior years if you maintain at least a 3.5 GPA at WSU.

Award Amount: $500

How to Qualify:

You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU.

Awards of $500 are included in admission decision letters.

These academic awards don’t renew and won’t be added on to Presidential Honor, Outstanding Academic Honor Award, or WSU Foundation Board scholarships.

Award Amount: Varies

The WSU Foundation Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to students who excel in both intellectual learning and personal character. The committee members wish to make an investment in individuals to help them achieve their goals.

The WSU Foundation awards over 900 scholarships each year that total more than $1.8 million.

How to Qualify: 

• Complete the online applications for one or more Foundation scholarship.
• Qualifying criteria varies and may include GPA, current major, year in program, career choice, hometown, volunteer experience, and more.
• Some scholarships may require an essay or other materials. You can re-use an essay to apply for multiple scholarships.

Scholarship Deadlines for 2024-2025 Academic Year

First-year and transfer student applications:

• Round 1: Open Nov. 1 and close Dec. 1 at 11:59pm.
• Round 2: Open Jan. 1, 2024, and close Feb. 15, 2024, at 11:59pm.

Please email wsuscholarships@winona.edu with any questions.

Award Amount: $1,000

How to Qualify: Be a child, grandchild, brother, sister, or ward of a WSU graduate

Award Amount: $100-$1,500

How to Qualify:

• Meet need and/or merit requirements
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU

The Financial Aid Office selects the recipients for scholarships totaling more than $60,000. Awards are based on the demonstrated financial need and academic standing of the student.

Award Amount: Varies, up to the estimated cost of attendance

Awards will be given on a first come, first served basis until all funding is awarded.

How to Qualify:

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1
• Have demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• Must be admitted to WSU by March 1
• Must be registered for at least 15 credits when financial aid is first disbursed for the semester

This scholarship is renewable for up to 8 semesters if you meet these requirements:

• Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. You’ll lose this award if you’re on academic warning or probation.
• Meet with your academic advisor each semester to remain on track for graduation.
• File your FAFSA each year by March 1 and continue to demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA.
• Continue to be registered for at least 15 credits when financial aid is first disbursed for the semester.

If you earn a bachelor’s degree in less than 4 years, you’ll stop receiving this award upon graduation.

Award Amount: Resident Tuition Rate

This award means that you’ll pay the Minnesota resident (in-state) tuition rate rather than the non-resident (out-of-state) tuition rate starting Fall 2022.

You can think of it as a roughly $6,700 scholarship.

Students from reciprocity states (WI, SD, ND) will receive the grant but are still eligible to apply for reciprocity. Reciprocity may provide students with a lower cost depending upon tuition rates from participating states.

How to Qualify:

• Be a resident of another U.S. state
• You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU

This scholarship is renewable if you maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at WSU.

Award Amount: $1,000

How to Qualify:

• Have earned 30 or more college credits
• Have a cumulative college GPA of 3.35 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with your application to WSU

Award Amount: $2,500 per academic year

If you have already received the Workforce Development Scholarship, you can continue using this award to pursue a corresponding bachelor’s degree at WSU.

You’ll receive a $1,250 award per term with a $7,500 maximum over 3 years total.

How to Qualify:

• Must be a Minnesota resident.
• Must have been awarded the WDS at your community or technical college.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible program for a high-demand occupation (e.g., advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology, early childhood education, and transportation).
• Must enroll in at least 9 credits per term.
• Must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. Some programs may require a higher minimum GPA.

Complete the Workforce Development Application (PDF) only if you received the WDS at your community or technical college.

Award Amount: $1,000 per academic year

How to Qualify:

• Be a member of Phi Theta Kappa
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Have earned an associate’s degree or completed MN Transfer Curriculum

Award Amount: $1,000

How to Qualify: Be a child, grandchild, brother, sister, or ward of a WSU graduate

Award Amount: Varies

How to Qualify:
These scholarships are awarded based on academic potential. Contact your academic department to learn more.

Award Amount: $350-$2,000

How to Qualify:

These scholarships are awarded based on academic potential. Please contact the Equity & Inclusive Excellence Office for more information.

Award Amount: Varies

How to Qualify:

These scholarships are awarded based on skill. Please contact the Warrior Athletics staff.

Award Amount: Varies

How to Qualify:

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Have one-fourth or more Indian ancestry
• Demonstrate financial need for an award
• Be enrolled at least three-quarter time as an undergraduate or half-time as a graduate student
• Complete the Minnesota Indian Scholarship application
  

You should also complete the FAFSA and apply for tribal education funds.

Award Amount: $300-$3,000

How to Qualify:

These scholarships are awarded based on audition. Please contact the Music, Art, and Theater & Dance departments for more information.

Award Amount: Remaining cost of tuition and fees after other types of aid is applied

The North Star Promise Scholarship (NSP) program creates a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota Residents.

The NSP scholarship is a “last-dollar” program, which means that it covers the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers have been applied.

How to Qualify:

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000
• Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College
• Not be in default on a state or federal student loan
• Be enrolled taking at least one credit
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree
• Be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate

How to Apply:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application.

WSU will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and automatically award North Star Promise Scholarships to all eligible students.

This scholarship is renewable for up to 120 credits.

Award Amount: Varies

There are several scholarship opportunities specifically for study away trips.

Learn more about the scholarships available through the WSU Study Abroad Office.

Award Amount: Varies

The WSU Foundation Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to students who excel in both intellectual learning and personal character. The committee members wish to make an investment in individuals to help them achieve their goals.

The WSU Foundation awards over 800 scholarships each year that total more than $2.1 million.

How to Qualify: 

• Complete the online applications for one or more Foundation scholarship.
• Qualifying criteria varies and may include GPA, current major, year in program, career choice, hometown, volunteer experience, and more.
• Some scholarships may require an essay or other materials. You can re-use an essay to apply for multiple scholarships.

Scholarship Deadlines for 2024-2025 Academic Year

First-year and transfer student applications:

• Round 1: Open Nov. 1 and close Dec. 1 at 11:59pm.
• Round 2: Open Jan. 1, 2024, and close Feb. 15, 2024, at 11:59pm.

Current student applications open Jan. 1, 2024, and close Feb. 15, 2024, at 11:59pm.

Please email wsuscholarships@winona.edu with any questions.

Each year, WSU students also receive thousands of dollars in scholarships from outside sources such as:

• government agencies
• professional organizations
• civic groups
• corporations
• sororities and fraternities
• foundations
• religious groups
• educational associations
• military veterans/organizations

The WSU Course Catalog has an up-to-date list of outside scholarships.

Additionally, you can find scholarship directories at your public libraries, high school counselor offices, and the WSU Financial Aid Office.

Be sure to use these free resources to identify and apply for many state-wide and national scholarships.