M State Foundation and Alumni scholarships
The M State Foundation and Alumni offers scholarships to support students attending Minnesota State Community and Technical College on the Detroit Lakes, Moorhead, and Wadena campuses, as well as online students.
Annual scholarships are funded by generous donors who are committed to helping students achieve their educational and career goals.
Application timeline and deadlines
For the Fall 2026 semester:
- The scholarship application opens April 1, 2026
- Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for M State Foundation scholarships, students must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be admitted to Minnesota State Community and Technical College at one of the following locations: Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Wadena, or online
- Be enrolled at least three‑quarter time (nine or more credits) during the semester the scholarship is awarded
- Not be enrolled as a Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) student
- Be in good academic standing, with a minimum 2.0 GPA or GED equivalent
How to apply
- Click the "Apply Now" button and log in using your StarID and password
- Be prepared to answer questions about your academic history, career goals, and school or community involvement
- Essay responses are reviewed and scored, so please use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Use an email address you check regularly, as all award notifications and instructions will be emailed
- No transcripts, FAFSA documentation, or letters of recommendation are required if you sign in with your school email address
- A clear, professional photo is required as part of the application
Scholarship review and award process
- Applications open in March and close in July
- After the application period, essay responses are reviewed and scored
- Scholarships are matched to students who meet the award criteria
- Students are notified of awards or denials by Aug. 22, 2026
- Recipients must accept their scholarship by the stated deadline in AwardSpring
- Scholarship funds are applied to student accounts in mid‑ to late September, after the fall add/drop period
- There is one disbursement for the academic year, issued in the fall semester only
- All scholarship recipients are required to attend the in‑person scholarship celebration in November
Additional information
- Scholarships may be awarded based on financial need, merit, or a combination of both
- Completion of the FAFSA is not required, but it may help determine eligibility for need‑based scholarships
- There is no separate scholarship application for the spring semester
- If a scholarship is not accepted by the deadline, it may be reassigned to another applicant
Need help?
M State uses Single Sign-On (SSO) for the scholarship application through AwardSpring. This means you log in using your M State student credentials.
Visit Minnesota State StarID Self Service to manage or reset your password. Once your StarID password is reset, it will automatically work for AwardSpring.
- Questions about M State scholarships: email scholarships@minnesota.edu