Workforce Development Scholarships
2024-25 Workforce Development Scholarship information: Coming soon.
2023-24 Workforce Development Scholarship information:
New entering students enrolled in more than 40 M State programs are eligible to receive Workforce Development Scholarships for the academic year 2023-24. The 60 scholarships, funded by the Minnesota Legislature, provide free aid of $2,500 per academic year ($1,250 per semester) up to a maximum of $5,000 over four semesters for students enrolled in programs in these areas:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Construction Management
- Early Childhood Education
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Public Safety
- Transportation
Sixty scholarships totaling $265,000 will be awarded to M State students. Recipients will be announced beginning in August 2023.
How to apply
To be considered for the 2023-24 Workforce Development Scholarship, you need only to:
- Apply to M State for an eligible program of study
- Complete your FAFSA, and respond promptly to any emails sent by M State's financial aid team so your aid file is complete and "ready for awarding"
Criteria for applicants
- Enroll in an eligible program
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Complete the FAFSA
- Enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA
Scholarship awards
On August 1, Workforce Development Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following:
- Date of application to the college (for an eligible program of study)
- Date FAFSA was submitted
Preference also will be given to students whose federal and state grant awards will not fully cover the cost of tuition and fees. Scholarship funds are applied to student accounts after the drop/add period ends at the start of each semester.
Programs eligible for Workforce Scholarships
Here's what our recipients say
"This scholarship means a lot to me and my family. It reduced the financial burden of furthering my education and career, which takes away stress, making it easier to concentrate on my schoolwork."
James Gabrick
Civil Engineering Technology, Detroit Lakes campus
"The Workforce Development Scholarship is helping me stick with my decision to go into healthcare because, when COVID hit and I couldn't finish my senior year of high school in person, I was worried that college would be even more difficult to pay for and deal with since COVID hasn't gotten under control. With the help of the scholarship, it will be easier for me to concentrate on my actual classes instead of worrying that I don't have enough money to take all the classes needed for my degree."
Caitlin Erickson
Nursing, Fergus Falls campus
"I am honored to have this scholarship. This scholarship made it so I can relax more and not have to worry as much about my college financials."
Moise Daugherty
Drafting and 3D Technologies, Moorhead campus
"This scholarship means a lot to me. It will be very nice to have extra funds to support my college academics. It is cool to see M State helping their students financially; not all colleges have that capability."
Riley Reimers
Electrical Technology, Moorhead campus
"For me, receiving the Workforce Development Scholarship means more time to relax with my family after attending classes instead of having to work all the time since the scholarship eases the financial burden of going back to school."
David Wilder
Electrical Lineworker Technology, Wadena campus
Additional scholarship opportunities
Minnesota State Community and Technical College benefits from partnerships with two foundations. Fergus Area College Foundation supports the students and programs at M State's Fergus Falls campus, and M State Foundation and Alumni supports the college and alumni engagement on the Detroit Lakes, Moorhead and Wadena campuses. Visit their websites for information on additional scholarship opportunities from both foundations.
