Scholarship decisions are based on a very careful, overall assessment of each admitted student's academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the admission application, based on the academic and context factors listed below. The strongest consideration in the decision is given to the primary factors, and no single factor is the deciding factor in the decision. Throughout their generosity, the University of Minnesota offers numerous scholarships based on varying criteria.
University of Minnesota academic scholarships are highly competitive. Admitted freshmen are considered for these scholarships based on an overall assessment of the application for freshman admission. Full consideration for academic scholarships is given to students who submit a complete freshman application by the corresponding application deadline dates. For the Gold Scholar Award, preference is given to National Merit Finalists. Recipients must list the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as their first-choice college by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation deadline.