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Introducing the Founders Free Tuition Program
In recognition of outstanding academic achievements, the University of Minnesota Duluth offers a number of academic scholarships for incoming freshmen. The Founders Free Tuition Program is a special award program that assists qualified incoming freshmen who meet certain financial need requirements.
What is the Founders Free Tuition Program?
At the University of Minnesota Duluth, we are committed to helping you explore all of your financial aid options. The Founders Free Tuition Program is a need-based award program that works in combination with federal and state grants, . For qualified students, the Founders Opportunity Scholarship fully covers University tuition and required fees.
The program will benefit a majority of students from families with an annual income less than $50,000. These are the students who most typically qualify for a federal Pell grant. Pell-eligibility, not income level, is the defining criterion for eligibility for the Founders Opportunity Program.
Proportion of students receiving Pell grant
Less than $10,000 92.6% $10,000-$20,000 86.5% $20,000-$30,000 75.9% $30,000-$40,000 58.1% $40,000-$50,000 38.0% $50,000-$60,000 18.2%
Will I be considered for the program?
Incoming freshmen who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be automatically considered for this award based on financial aid eligibility.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a resident of Minnesota
- Complete the FAFSA each year
- Apply for and receive a federal Pell grant
- Be admitted as a freshman for fall 2008 and have satisfied all of the University's core subject requirements
- Be full-time, taking at least 12 credits a semester and 24 credits a year
- Be working on their first undergraduate degree
The Founders Free Tuition Program is renewable for up to four years as long as the student remains in good academic standing and enrolls full-time every fall and spring semester.
What are the next steps?
- Apply for admission!
- Apply for financial aid! Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the recommended March 1 priority deadline.
Students who enter the University as new freshmen are eligible to be considered for up to four years of support under the Founders Opportunity Programs. New transfer students are eligible for up to two years of support. Requirements for renewal:
- Continue to be classified as a resident of Minnesota.
- Complete the FAFSA each year.
- Continue to be eligible for a federal Pell grant.
- Maintain full-time enrollment, taking at least 12 credits a semester, in a baccalaureate degree program at the University of Minnesota.
- Maintain consecutive term enrollment every fall and spring semester.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of your degree.
- Be working on your first undergraduate degree.
Other types of scholarships for new students and related links.Who is eligible for the Founders FreeTuition Program?
New freshmen were eligible for the Founders FreeTuition program beginning in fall 2005. New transfer students will be eligible beginning fall 2006. The Founders Opportunity Program is being phased in with each new class of incoming freshmen and transfer students, and will be fully implemented in 2008-09. When fully implemented, it is estimated that the program will benefit more than 4,500 University of Minnesota students systemwide.