Sixty-five Minnesota State Community and Technical College students enrolled in degree and diploma programs that lead to high-demand occupations have been awarded $2,500 scholarships this academic year, thanks to the Minnesota Legislature’s Workforce Development Scholarship program.
Eligible M State students pursuing careers in the fields of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, early childhood education, health care services, information technology and transportation have received a combined total of $162,500 in Workforce Development Scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year. Those scholarships can be renewed a second year for a total award of $5,000 per student ($325,000 combined) over four semesters.
Eligible programs are located on all four of M State’s campuses, in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena.
Students who enroll in one of the qualified programs at M State and complete a FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) are automatically considered for the scholarship, which covers about half the cost of annual tuition and fees.
Workforce Development Scholarships began as a pilot program with a $1 million appropriation in 2017 and has since been expanded. In this and future years, the available funding is $4 million per year, which includes state funding as well as some private match funds. Scholarships are available across the Minnesota State system of community and technical colleges, of which M State is a part.
“As I have traveled around the state, a theme that I consistently hear from employers is that Minnesota is facing a critical shortage of workers with the skills needed for high-demand occupations,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “Workforce Development Scholarships have proven to be an effective tool for attracting students into these fields and helping them find a path toward a satisfying and well-paying career. We are grateful to the Legislature and the governor for this opportunity, and we look forward to awarding these scholarships to help meet Minnesota’s workforce needs.”
For more information and a complete list of eligible M State programs, visit www.minnesota.edu/wdscholarships.