Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Minneapolis, MN
How students pay for the University of Minnesota
Sticker price $32,137 a year. After grants, the average student pays $17,330, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $5,885 to $29,424.
- 80%admitted
- 31,855undergraduates
- 85%graduate
- 61%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $41,368 a year versus $18,482 for Minnesota residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
61%grant from University of Minnesotaavg $6,389
22%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,835
30%state grantavg $6,855
40%federal student loanavg $5,273
Scholarships from University of Minnesota
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- University-wide freshman scholarships
Admitted freshmen are considered based on an overall assessment of their admission application.
- University of Minnesota Women's Club Scholarship
Full-time Minnesota-resident sophomores, juniors or seniors on the Twin Cities or Rochester campus with financial need, a 3.20+ GPA and leadership experience.
- Thielen Family Scholarship
Employed, part-time (1-11 credits) Twin Cities juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens with financial need.
- Lynn Johnson - Johnson Brothers Scholarship in Entrepreneurship
Full-time Twin Cities juniors and seniors with financial need and a strong record of entrepreneurial activity.
- LaVerne Noyes Scholarship
Full-time U.S. citizens with financial need who are direct descendants of a World War I Army or Navy veteran.
- Collegiate (departmental) scholarshipsVaries
Each college and department selects recipients through its own process.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Minnesota
Minnesota State Grant
No fixed amount: the state works it out each year from your college's tuition and fees, a living allowance, what your family is expected to pay and your Pell Grant. For 2026–27 the tuition and fee part is capped at $18,071 for four-year programs and $7,340 for two-year programs.
Who qualifies: Minnesota residents from low- and moderate-income families studying for a first undergraduate degree at an eligible Minnesota college or university.
How: File the FAFSA (or the Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application if you cannot file the FAFSA). Deadline: the 30th day of each term.
Official rules →State grant · Minnesota
North Star Promise
Up to 100% of the tuition and required fees left after your other grants and scholarships, for up to 120 credits (60 credits for a two-year degree). It does not pay for housing, food or books.
Who qualifies: Minnesota residents with a family adjusted gross income below $80,000 who have no bachelor's degree and take at least one credit at a Minnesota public college or university or a Tribal College.
How: File the FAFSA or the Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application; both opened on 1 October 2026 for 2027–28. No priority deadline is set yet for 2027–28 (it was 1 June for 2026–27), so apply as early as you can.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Minneapolis
| Studio | $1,140/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,280/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $780/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 55455. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$11.41/hour minimum wage in Minnesota
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $5,134 before tax. That covers about 7 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises to $11.87 on 1 January 2027. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$19,350median federal debt≈ $220/month over 10 years
$74,314median earnings10 years after enrolling
85%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Minnesota
What scholarships does University of Minnesota offer?
University-wide freshman scholarships (Not published on the page read); University of Minnesota Women's Club Scholarship (Not published); Thielen Family Scholarship (Not published (renewable)); Lynn Johnson - Johnson Brothers Scholarship in Entrepreneurship (Not published); LaVerne Noyes Scholarship (Not published). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Minnesota really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $17,330 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $5,885 to $29,424. The full cost of attendance before aid is $32,137.
Does University of Minnesota give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 61% of first-year students received a grant from University of Minnesota itself, averaging $6,389. 22% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,835).
How much is rent near University of Minnesota?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (55455) is $1,280 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,560 for a two-bedroom, about $780 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Minnesota?
Yes. The minimum wage in Minnesota is $11.41 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $5,134 before tax.
How much debt do University of Minnesota graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $19,350, about $220 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $74,314.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. How these pages work.
More in Minnesota: All colleges in Minnesota →