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The Achieve Scholarship program is designed to address two critical barriers to college attendance: lack of academic preparation and financial access. Eligible Minnesota high school graduates who complete any one of four sets of courses defined as rigorous earn a one-time scholarship to help pay for college at a public or private university or college in Minnesota.
To be eligible, all students must:
- Have graduated from a high school located in Minnesota between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 or on or after January 1, 2010
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Meet the definition of Minnesota resident used for state financial aid programs
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota
- Must meet the additional academic requirements based on their graduation date
2008 Minnesota High School Graduates:
Eligible students who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 may be eligible to receive a one-time scholarship of $1,200. Students must:
- Be enrolled for at least 3 credits or the equivalent
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income of less than $75,000
- Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts
- Successfully complete the first term to receive the second half of the scholarship
- Have completed, unless otherwise stated, each of the required courses that compromise one of four rigorous programs of student with a grade of ‘C’ or above
2009 Minnesota High School Graduates:
Students who graduated between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 are no longer eligible to apply for and receive the Achieve Scholarship because they must have applied for and received the scholarship in the first academic year immediately following high school graduation.
2010 Minnesota High School Graduates:
Eligible students who graduate after January 1, 2010 can receive a one-time scholarship for use in their first academic year of up to $1,200, depending on financial need and funds availability. Students must:
- If Dependent, have a zero Parental Contribution (PC) and if Independent, have a zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA
- Submit application and complete official high school transcript including graduation date and unweighted GPA by August 31, 2010 to be considered for initial round of funding and those submitted after August 31, 2010 may be considered for awards on a first-come, first-served basis if funds become available
- Enroll full time (15 credits) in an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota within the first academic year immediately following high school graduation
- Must have completed all of the required courses in one of four rigorous programs of student and graduated with an unweighted grade point average of 2.5 or higher
Additional Award for Online Course Completion in High School for 2010 High School Graduates
Eligible students who graduated after January 1, 2010 and who have completed at least one online course while in high school may receive an additional annual award of $150 to be used in conjunction with the Achieve Scholarship award. If the online course is not clearly identified on the official high school transcript, student may be requested to provide additional documentation.
Rigorous Programs of Study
Students who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 must have completed, unless otherwise stated, each of the required courses with a grade of ‘C’ or above.
Students who graduated after January 1, 2010 must have completed all of the required courses and graduated with an unweighted grade point average of 2.5 or higher. In addition, students who graduated after January 1, 2010 can request a foreign language requirement waiver if their first language is not English and they have attained English language proficiency. To request a waiver please contact the Office of Higher Education.
To be eligible, the student must have completed one of the following four rigorous programs of study while in high school or a home-school setting:
- A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative. This program of study requires passing grades in the following:
- Four years of English;
- Three years of math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics);
- Three years of science, including one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics;
- Three years of social studies; and
- One year of a language other than English.
- Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores. This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams.
- Minnesota Coursework Requirements. This program requires:
- Four years of language arts;
- Three years of math, including one year each of geometry and two years of algebra, one of which is intermediate or advanced algebra;
- Three years of science including one year each of a biological and physical science;
- Three years of social studies; and
- Two years of a single foreign language.
- Minnesota Dual Credit Program. With a passing grade of ‘B’ or better: High School students taking BOTH a math course (Algebra 2 level or higher) AND a science course (biology, chemistry, or physics) under the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program or the Concurrent Enrollment Program, worth a total of at least 6 college credits, shall meet the rigorous program of study requirements.
Call the Office of Higher Education with questions at:
(651) 642-0567.
Achieve Scholarship Minnesota Office of Higher Education 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Fax: (651)642-0675