Scholarships for Current CLA Students

Thanks to generous donors to the College of Liberal Arts, CLA is able to offer a multitude of scholarship awards to students who are currently enrolled in CLA and intend to receive their bachelor's degree from CLA.

Currently enrolled degree-seeking CLA students are able to reapply for these funds annually. To be considered for most of these scholarships, you must complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Minnesota Dream Act Application each year so you can be reviewed for need-based awards.

General Scholarships

Contact for Questions
[email protected]

Collegiate scholarships vary in awarding criteria, but most are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The timeline to apply for these funds is early in the spring semester. Awards are made for the following academic year. Some awards may be annually renewable, depending on class year and number of credits.

To be considered for these awards, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • You are currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student in CLA or another college at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
  • You are in good academic standing
  • You will be enrolled as a CLA degree-seeking student for the 2022-23 academic year

Additional criteria for scholarships may be based on donor specifications (such as major, career interest, co-curricular activities, etc.). International students can apply. To be considered for financial need scholarships, you must have a FAFSA or MN Dream Act on file.

Recipients are selected on the basis of questions in the scholarship application that identify whether you meet various criteria specified by the donors of the funds.

How to Apply
The CLA General Scholarship application has closed for scholarships being awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Due to the limited amount of this funding, current CLA students are encouraged to review the other scholarship options listed below for additional opportunities, as well as to speak with a financial aid counselor in OneStop.

Emergency Grants

If you experience an unexpected emergency situation that creates a financial hardship, limited funds are available as emergency grants. CLA's emergency grants are administered through One Stop. These are one-time grants that are offered based on an intake form application, with documentation sometimes requested.

How to Apply
Detailed information about the process, eligibility requirements, and the intake application form for emergency grants is available at the One Stop website.

Internship Scholarships

CLA offers internship scholarships for degree-seeking CLA students interested in doing a paid or unpaid internship. Students are considered for these awards during multiple cycles throughout the year.

How to Apply
More information and the application form for internship scholarships can be found on the Internship Scholarships webpage.

Learning Abroad Scholarships

CLA offers scholarships to support CLA undergraduates enrolled in a CLA-hosted or approved Learning Abroad Center study abroad program. (See more about CLA's Learning Abroad Scholarships.) 

No Application Necessary 
All CLA undergraduates participating in a CLA-hosted or approved Learning Abroad Center study abroad program are automatically considered for a CLA Learning Abroad Scholarship. 

The next cycle of scholarship review will be during April 2024 for learning abroad during the May 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

Students can also use most general scholarships to fund a study abroad experience. Start your research early at the Learning Abroad Center website so you don't miss any application deadlines.

Please email [email protected] if you have any learning abroad scholarship questions. 

Research or Creative Work Scholarships

CLA's Office of Undergraduate Education offers scholarships to support a student’s research or creative work endeavors. CLA awards scholarships for semester-long research or creative work in conjunction with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Awards of $1,800 are offered for fall, spring, and summer semesters.

How to Apply
Submit your application via the UROP process.

Department Scholarships

Once you have a declared major, you can check to see if there are any department-level scholarships or support you are eligible for.

How to Apply
Search the website of the academic department that is home to your major, or make an appointment to speak with your department advisor about it.

University Scholarship Search Tool

The undergraduate scholarship search will use your academic plan and major(s) or pre-major interests to bring up scholarships that may be of interest to you. Be sure to scroll down the page to investigate scholarships under the different office tabs.

Other Scholarship Resources

Learning Abroad Center Study Abroad Scholarship Search
UofM Office of National & International Scholarships (housed in University Honors Program, but open to students from all colleges)
Diversity Abroad Scholarship Database