Scholarships

LeadMN’s Scholarships support students at Minnesota State two-year colleges through donor-funded and endowed awards that reduce financial barriers, recognize student achievement, and encourage persistence toward degree completion.

LeadMN offers scholarships during both the Spring and Fall application cycles, with awards ranging from $500 to full-tuition support ($6,500). The program currently includes established endowed funds, donor-supported awards, and several scholarships that are funded annually through partnerships or grants.

LeadMN Scholarships

Leadership-focused Scholarships

These awards seek students who demonstrate leadership through campus involvement, community engagement, or service while maintaining solid academic standing, generally with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Most of these awards utilize the Leadership Scholarship application or a closely aligned version.

LeadMN Leadership Scholarship
Maryan G. and James H. McCormick Scholarship (spring only)
Dr. Steve and Darla Frantz Endowed Scholarship (fall only) – this scholarship also recognizes military and national service experience
Linda Olson Memorial Scholarships

Identity- and Experience-based Scholarships

These awards recognize students whose lived experiences have shaped their educational journeys and who often face additional barriers to college completion.

John and Kathryn O’Brien Scholarship – supports immigrant, child of immigrant, and undocumented students with demonstrated financial need
Pregnant & Parenting Student Scholarship – for students who are also supporting children under the age of 18
Courage to Continue Scholarship (spring 2027 only) – honors students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience and perseverance in overcoming personal health challenges while pursuing their education.

Skilled Trades Scholarships

These scholarships support students pursuing technical career programs.

Morrie Anderson Endowed Scholarship – provides support to students in skilled trades and may be renewed based on continued eligibility
John Kenneth Niemi Memorial Tool Fund – assists students in tool-intensive fields, with preference given to HVAC students

Geographic and Campus-specific Scholarships

These awards focus on supporting students enrolled at particular campuses and those who attend high schools or colleges in certain regions or counties of the state.

Irja Sundgren Pratt Scholarship (spring only) – available to students attending colleges within the Northeast Higher Education District and renewable for eligible recipients
Warren H. Robens and Henry P. Dembiczak Free College Scholarship (fall only) – supports Minnesota high school graduates attending any accredited postsecondary institution, with preference given to students from Ramsey and Roseau counties. Awards may be renewed for up to three years.

Civic Engagement Scholarships

Mark M. Welter 100% American Scholarship – centered on academic performance, financial need, and an appreciation for civic engagement and global understanding
Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award – this scholarship uses a nomination process by campus advisors, and awards 2-year Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected nature of the world, its nations, and all people.

APPLYING FOR LEADMN SCHOLARSHIPS

LeadMN has two application cycles:

January 1st to April 1st – Scholarships in this cycle are awarded for the upcoming Fall Semester. Scholarship funds are dispersed to recipients’ colleges in early or mid-summer.
July 1st to November 1st – Scholarships in this cycle are awarded for the Spring Semester of the current academic year. Scholarship funds are dispersed to recipients’ colleges in late December or early January.

Apply Here

Scholarship applications are posted during the application period and should be completed through AwardSpring. Several scholarships use the same application, meaning if you complete an application for one scholarship, you will automatically be considered for those with similar criteria.

Most applications require a letter of recommendation from a college professor, advisor, or other campus representative. Letters of recommendation should be directly submitted to AwardSpring by the recommender.

Scholarships are reviewed by our scholarship board and recipients are selected based on scoring criteria. Scholarship recipients are celebrated annually at our Scholarship Celebration in January.

LeadMN Scholarship Recipients

LeadMN’s Scholarship Recipients are Minnesota State students who show exemplary leadership, academic achievement, and dedication to their communities.