External Scholarships

3M Skilled Trade Scholarship for Underrepresented Groups - Spring 2026 Scholarship

With a focus on promoting equity and access to high-demand fields, this scholarship is open to students studying programs such as welding, electrical work, HVAC, manufacturing, mechatronics, renewable energy, and construction. Recipients will be selected based on their commitment to pursuing a career in the skilled trades, academic performance, and their potential to contribute to the workforce in innovative and impactful ways.

Application Window: July 1 - November 1, 2025

Additional: Essay required.

Award: $2,500

AAAE Foundation

Partial list of scholarships offered:

• The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. & Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship
• Aviation Management Scholarship
• Women in Aviation Scholarship
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship

Application deadline: mid-March each year, see website for exact dates

Award: various amounts

Alliance Automotive Service Providers

Application deadline: March 31, 2026

For: students enrolled in post-secondary automotive (service or collision repair) programs.

Award:  $500 – $2,500

Alworth Scholarships

For Minnesota students dedicated to making a difference in the mathematics, science, engineering and medical fields.

Application Window: Feb. 1 to March 15

Award: $12,000 scholarship – $6,000 to use in each of their final two years of schooling at a four-year university.

AMTA Massage Therapy Journal Scholarship

Application deadline: January 31, 2026

For: Applicants must be enrolled or admitted in a 500-hour minimum, entry-level massage therapy program at the time the scholarship application is submitted.

Award: $5,000

APWA-MN (MN Chapter of American Public Works Association)

Application deadline: late May each year, see website for exact dates

For: technical college/school students going into 2^nd year level (or higher) and enrolled in a public works-related degree program (see list at site).

Award: One scholarship at $5,000 and two scholarships at $2,500 each

Aspirus St. Luke's Volunteer Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Criteria

1. Be accepted and presently enrolled in an accredited healthcare program at Lake Superior College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Minnesota North College – Hibbing Campus, or Northwood Technical College – Ashland or Superior Campus.
2. Program must lead to a healthcare career which provides direct patient care.
3. Completed one semester of post-secondary academic work in their accredited healthcare program, at one of the schools listed in #1 above, before applying.
4. Demonstrate scholastic ability with a GPA of 3.0 in their chosen field of cumulative work.

Attachments

1. Please provide a paragraph describing why you are a good candidate for this scholarship including:
   • future plans both professionally and in service to others
   • most significant volunteer positions: where you volunteered, your specific role and number of volunteer hours in each position.
2. Please attach a copy of your transcript.
3. Please attach a written reference from one of the following: a post-secondary instructor in your healthcare field, an employer, or a volunteer coordinator.

Download the Application and either physically bring it to the St. Luke's Foundation in Duluth or email it in, along with all the attachments they are requesting.

Application Window: Until April 3, 2026

Award: $500

Bold.org

Dozens of applications in various categories with various deadline dates

For: women, high school seniors, graduate students, merit-based, nursing students, Hispanic students, etc.

Exclusive Trade School Scholarships with 2025 deadlines

66 trade specific scholarships with varying amounts and deadline dates

Award: various amounts

Boreal Waters

Each year, Boreal Waters awards more than $800,000 in scholarships to support students across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Made possible by the generosity of individuals, families, and organizations, these scholarships help learners of all ages pursue education, unlock opportunity, and give back to their communities.

Application: There are many scholarships at Boreal. You don't need to browse all their scholarships. Fill out the scholarship application, and they will match you with appropriate scholarships. Here's the steps:

1. Go to the Scholarship Portal
2. Create your Profile
3. Complete the Eligibility Quiz
4. Fill Out the Universal Application
5. Submit and Check Back

Application Window: December 1 - Febreuary 24 of each year

Award: $500 - $5000

Chief John Raaflaub Memorial Firefighter Scholarship

The Chief John Raaflaub Memorial Firefighter Scholarship Fund helps students from Douglas County pursue careers in firefighting, and especially at the Superior Fire Department. Must be attending Lake superior College and field of study must be Firefighting.

Application Window: December 1, 2025 – February 24, 2026

Award: $3,000 for up to two years ($6,000 total)

Christine Rice Annual Scholarship

During Trustee Emeritus Christine Rice’s tenure as a Trustee for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, she was made aware of the importance scholarships played in students’ lives. Therefore, Trustee Emeritus Rice has established an annual scholarship with LeadMN, specifically intended for women enrolled in a health-oriented field at one of the Minnesota State two-year colleges. Trustee Emeritus Rice is passionate about public education and, as a scholarship recipient herself, understands the value of helping ease the financial burden for students.  

For Fall Semester Only

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Essay required, must be a woman, must be enrolled in a health-oriented degree program, can demonstrate financial need

Award: $1,000

Dr. Jerry Church Community Health or Founders Fund Scholarship

Applicants must pursue a degree in the health field.

For residents of Lake County, Minnesota, graduates of a Lake, Cook or St. Louis County High School who are seeking a career in rural health care

Application deadline: April 15th of each year

Award: $1,000 scholarship, granted in two $500 annual gifts

Dr. Steve and Darla Frantz Endowed Scholarship

For Minnesota State students who demonstrate leadership in academics, extracurricular activities and community or national service with a priority given to those who are serving or have served in good standing in any branch of the United States Military or other U.S. national service and have exhausted federal and state service related education benefits excluding the Minnesota GI Bill.

Fall Semester Only

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation, leadership resume, GPA 2.5 or higher, school unofficial transcript

Award: $1,250

Emberg Scholarship

Application Window: March 4, 2026 to April 20, 2026

For: students enrolled in programs leading to a career in regional industries i.e. Forestry or Aircraft Maintenance

Award: varies from year to year

Essentia Health Hospital-Duluth Auxiliary

For students obtaining a diploma or associate degree in healthcare programs

Application Window: January 15th – March 1st

Award: $1,500

Essentia Health Hospital-Superior Auxiliary

For students pursuing healthcare careers 2nd year or higher; resident of Douglas County

Application Window: January 15th – March 1st

Award: $500-$1,000

Fastweb.com

Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid news and resources. Our goal is to help you find scholarships to make college and trade school more affordable.

Award: various amounts

Florin|Roebig 2026 Scholarship Essay Contest

Florin | Roebig, a nationally recognized law firm specializing in personal injury, civil rights, and employment law, is offering its Annual Scholarship Essay Contest. The program invites students to explore current social and legal issues while supporting their educational goals.

For 2026, the essay topic is “Equal Voting Rights During Midterm Elections.”A total of $1,500 in scholarships will be awarded to three students. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled full-time at a U.S. secondary or post-secondary institution.

Award: $750, $500, $250

Ford Auto Tech Scholarship

For: individuals pursuing a degree or certificate in automotive technology and who also demonstrates financial need. Must be enrolled on a post-secondary school at time of application.

Deadline: ongoing

Award: $5,000

Jack Moon Scholarship

The Jack Moon Scholarship Trust is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

Applicants Must:

• Be graduates of a public high school within St. Louis County, Lake County, Carlton County, Aitkin County, or Itasca County, Minnesota.
• Demonstrate good character and academic ability and readiness.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be enrolled full time or part time in an accredited vocational or trade school in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan in a qualified vocational or trade program.

Additional Considerations:

• Preference will be given to graduates of Denfeld High School.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Academic ability
• Financial need
• Essay
• Statement of extracurricular activities (including leadership roles, community service, employment, etc.)

Scholarship Window runs from Mid-January to Mid-March each year.

Jack Moon Scholarship FAQs

Award: varies from year to year

John and Kathryn O’Brien Scholarship

John and Kathryn O’Brien believe that America has always relied on and will continue to benefit from the talents, hard work, and creativity of immigrants from all backgrounds. Like America, our Minnesota State colleges thrive when educational opportunities are accessible to immigrant students who face financial barriers, including those who do not qualify for state and federal aid. This scholarship is available to degree-seeking immigrants, children of immigrants, and students who lack access to federal financial aid, including those without permanent legal status, attending one of Minnesota State’s two-year colleges.

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation from college staff, 3.0 GPA

Award: $500

John Kenneth Niemi Memorial Tool Fund

As a recipient of a technical college education and the training that enabled his career as a millwright and later as a refrigeration mechanic, John Kenneth Niemi understood the value of technical education. Mr. Niemi understood that education was a gift to be valued and would want to ensure other young people had the opportunity he had to gain the education necessary to build a solid career. Because of this belief, Mr. Niemi’s family established a memorial fund within LeadMN. This endowed fund provides funds for tool purchases required for completing an HVAC or a ‘hands-on’ trade course of study for students enrolled in a trade program and attending one of Minnesota State’s colleges.

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation from college staff, 2.0 GPA

Award: $500

LeadMN Free College Scholarship – Mr. Warren H. Robens and Mr. Henry P. Dembiczak Scholarship

Mr. Warren H. Robens and Mr. Henry P. Dembiczak shared a commitment to the communities where they were raised and where they lived. They also shared a strong commitment to higher education with a passion for technical education. This scholarship was created to provide support for students enrolled full-time or part-time in a course of study within Minnesota State or in any post-secondary education course of study at an accredited Minnesota institution.  

Application Window: Until APril 1, 2026

Award: $6,500 for full-time student, $3,250 for part-time student

LeadMN Leadership Scholarship

For undergraduate student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and a commitment to serving others.

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation, 2.5 GPA

Award: $1,250

Linda Olson Memorial Scholarship

The LeadMN scholarship program rewards emerging student leaders for their community service and their academic achievement. Linda Olson Memorial Scholarship winners serve their community in many ways like mentoring, volunteering, or organizing in their community.

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation, a leadership resume, 2.5 GPA

Award: $500

Mark M. Welter “100% American” Scholarship

Nominations for the 2025 Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award are now being accepted. Five $500 awards will be given to Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected nature of the world, its nations, and all people. 

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Award: $500

Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

For all academic classifications for students enrolled in a U.S. community college who are pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or cyber-adjacent degrees such as information technology, computer science, data systems, etc.

Deadline: ongoing

Award: up to $500

Morrie Anderson Endowed Scholarship

Upon Morris J. Anderson’s retirement as Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Mr. Anderson’s colleagues and friends established an endowed fund to recognize his outstanding contribution to education in Minnesota, especially his support of technical education. This scholarship was created to provide scholarship support to students enrolled in a technical program at one of the technical or consolidated colleges within Minnesota State.

Application Window: Until April 1, 2026

Additional: Multiple essays required, one letter of recommendation, 2.5 GPA.

Award: $500

Real Voices Essay Coaching Award

The 2026 Real Voices Essay Coaching Award will open on April 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2026.

The Real Voices Essay Coaching Award provides five hours of free college application essay coaching. The award is open to:

• High school seniors applying to four-year colleges for Fall 2027 admission
• Community college students applying to transfer to a four-year university for Fall 2027 admission

Note: The award is not money, it is 5 hours of personalized college essay coaching via Zoom

Award: $1,500 in professional coaching services

SEMA Memorial Scholarship (Specialty Equipment Market Association)

Applications accepted: Until April 3, 2026.

Every year SEMA helps students pay for their college tuition and SEMA Members pay off their student loans. Students from all academic and technical disciplines that lead to careers in the automotive industry are welcome to apply!

Award: up to $5,000

SFM Foundation Scholarship

For: students whose parents were killed or seriously injured in workplace accidents while working for Minnesota or Iowa employers.

Deadline: March 31, 2026

Award: up to $15,000 for up to five years

Sports Gear Swag Scholarship

The Sports Gear Swag scholarship offers a one-time prize of $1,000, which can cover various education-related costs such as tuition, books, computers, accommodation, and other necessary expenses. There are no GPA requirements and no application forms. It's our way of giving back and supporting individuals who want to pursue their dreams through education.

Deadline: October 1, 2026

Additional: Essay required

Award: $1,000

TechForce Foundation Scholarship

TechForce Foundation is awarding more than $6 million this year to students like yours pursuing a career in the skilled trades.

Applications are valid for the full calendar year, and students must reapply each year to remain eligible. Applying early increases the opportunity for early awards.

How students apply:

1. Visit techforce.org/students
2. Click “Login” or “Join” to create a profile (if new)
3. Select “Scholarships” from the menu
4. Click “Apply Now” to complete the 2026 application

Award: Various Amounts

Victory Fund

For: students pursuing a career in Healthcare; for graduates of Lake, Cook, or St. Louis County high schools; accepted to RN Nursing programs at: College of St. Scholastics, UM-Duluth, or Lake Superior College

Proposals are accepted and awarded twice a year on the following schedule:

• Submit by January 31st; Reviewed the 4th Tuesday of February
• Submit by July 31st; Reviewed the 4th Tuesday of August

Award: $1,000

Wordtips Scholarships

Wordtips is a resource/directory of other "how to find scholarships" websites and links to multiple other scholarships available now.

Award: various