First-Year Student Aid

Benedictine Scholarship levels (renewable)

Awards are based on high school GPA.

The College Readiness Award is a scholarship for U.S. first year students who have participated in a college readiness program during high school (this does not include PSEO, AP, IB, College in the Schools, Ramp Up to Readiness).

Building community engagement and love of learning is valued by St. Scholastica and you will receive thousands of dollars every year to pursue your college dream. This scholarship is in addition to the student’s Benedictine Scholarship and ensures a maximum award of $28,000!

If you are unsure if you are eligible, please contact your admissions counselor. Eligible college readiness programs include, but are not limited to:

• College Possible
• Upward Bound
• Upward Bound Math and Science
• Educational Talent Search
• AVID
• Northfield TORCH
• Black Achievers
• College Readiness 21
• Gear Up/Get Ready
• Girls in Action
• Indian Education
• Latino Achievers
• MEP
• PACE
• Project Success
• Transitions
• Urban Debate League
• Voyage
• Achieve Twin Cities
• Proceed

Amount: $1,000 per year (renewable)

This scholarship is in addition to the student’s Benedictine Scholarship. The College retains the right to change this policy and rate at any time.

Scholarship criteria:

• Student must have a sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent, or step-grandparent who graduated from The College of St. Scholastica
• Student will be a domestic, full-time student in the traditional day program on the Duluth campus

Amount: Four – $2,500 per year scholarships (renewable)

Scholarship criteria:

• Student must be an entering first-year student in the traditional undergraduate program
• Student must be accepted to St. Scholastica
• Student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Student must submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to be awarded scholarship
• Student must be Jewish
• Scholarship award decision made after March 1

Amount: $27,000 per year (renewable)

St. Scholastica will provide a scholarship to new first-year and new transfer students to match the average cost of attendance for students accepted for admission at the University of Minnesota.

Scholarship criteria
Students must provide an acceptance letter to one of the following University of Minnesota campuses:

• Duluth
• Crookston
• Twin Cities
• Morris
• Rochester

Learn More and Apply

Saints Promise will cover up to 100% of tuition per semester for first-time Minnesota students whose family-adjusted gross income is below $80,000.

Scholarship Criteria

• Minnesota resident
• Adjusted gross income (AGI) is below $80,000* as reported on the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application
• New first-time student attending the Duluth Campus for fall 2024 or spring 2025 (this program does not apply to summer enrollment)
• Enroll full-time (12+ credits per semester) in a program or course of study that applies to an undergraduate degree
• Recipient of the MN Grant or MN Dream Act program
• Stay in good standing with state and federal student loans (if borrowing)
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for future semesters
• Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree

View Saints Promise Full Details

Amount: Up to $3,000 per year (renewable)

The St. Scholastica Multicultural, Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship is designated to provide additional opportunities for students with an interest in advancing racial and social justice issues and demonstrate exceptional financial need. Preference will be afforded to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in American higher education, with an emphasis on students of color.

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis and award amounts are based on financial need.

Scholarship criteria:

• Applicant must be an entering first-year or new transfer student
• Applicant must be accepted to be awarded the scholarship. Please contact Admissions with questions about your acceptance/ID
• Applicant must demonstrate an interest in pluralism, inclusion, and the advancement of racial and social justice
• Recipient will attend Multicultural Leadership Training held the week before fall semester, in conjunction with move-in weekend. If this is not a viable option, student will need to work with the Office of Institutional Diversity to coordinate other training.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Applicant should submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)

Amount: Up to $10,000 per year (renewable)

The Ge-naadamaagoyan (that which helps you) Scholarship program is designated to provide significant scholarship opportunities to American Indian/Alaska Native students who demonstrate participation and commitment to advancing and/or preserving tribal communities’ traditions, which may include culture, language or history, and/or addressing contemporary social, economic or legal issues impacting tribal communities.

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis and award amounts are based on financial need.

Scholarship criteria:

• Applicant must be an entering first-year or new transfer student
• Applicant must be accepted to be awarded the scholarship. Please contact Admissions with questions about your acceptance/ID
• Applicant must demonstrate participation and commitment to advancing and/or preserving tribal communities’ traditions, which may include culture, language or history, and/or addressing contemporary social, economic or legal issues impacting tribal communities
• Recipient will attend Multicultural Leadership Training held the week before fall semester, in conjunction with move-in weekend. If this is not a viable option, student will need to work with the Office of Institutional Diversity to coordinate other training.
• Student should submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Amount: Up to $10,000 per year (renewable)

The Sister Timothy Kirby Social Justice Scholarship program is designated to provide significant scholarship opportunities to students who demonstrate a substantial commitment to pluralism and the advancement of racial and social justice.

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis and award amounts are based on financial need. Preference will be afforded to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in American higher education, with an emphasis on students of color.

Scholarship criteria:

• Applicant must be an entering first-year or new transfer student in the traditional undergraduate program
• Applicant must be accepted to be awarded the scholarship. Please contact Admissions with questions about your acceptance/ID
• Recipient will attend Multicultural Leadership Training held the week before fall semester, in conjunction with move-in weekend. If this is not a viable option, student will need to work with the Office of Institutional Diversity to coordinate other training.
• Applicant must demonstrate substantial commitment to pluralism and the advancement of racial and social justice
• Applicant should submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Amount: Up to $4,000 per year

The St. Scholastica Music Program invites both music and non-music majors to apply for the Sister Monica Laughlin Music Ensemble Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students who have achieved success in their musical training and plan to continue to be involved in large ensembles at St. Scholastica.

About the Scholarship

The Sister Monica Laughlin Music Ensemble Scholarship auditions are open to students in all majors at the College who sing or play in choir, band or orchestra. Students may receive up to $16,000 over four years (up to $4,000 per academic year) for participating in music ensembles. A student’s award is determined by the members of the Music program faculty following an audition and interview with the music faculty. The scholarship is automatically renewed each semester for a student who:

• Continues to participate in scholarship music ensemble (band, choir or orchestra)
• Is recommended by the director
• Makes satisfactory academic progress as defined in the College catalog
• Maintains full-time student status at St. Scholastica
• Volunteers as an usher at one St. Scholastica Music concert per academic year

Music scholarships can only be offered to students who have been accepted to The College of St. Scholastica.

Students who audition early in the scholarship process may not receive notification of a music scholarship until after the Financial Aid Office has created an initial financial aid package. Students who are awarded full tuition scholarships or grants through this financial aid process are ineligible for additional music scholarships, even if they have already completed the audition process, because the combined amount of scholarships and grants offered by the institution cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Music scholarships cannot be used toward room and board.

If you have questions or concerns about this or any aspect of the audition process, please contact the Music program or the Financial Aid Office before you submit an application.

Interview and Audition Dates

Interview and audition dates for students entering college in fall 2025 will be held throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, concluding in spring 2025. Music faculty are available to conduct one-on-one auditions at any time (for example, when you’re on campus for a tour, or when a faculty member is visiting your high school), or you can sign up for one of the audition dates below in conjunction with other campus events for prospective students.

• Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Accepted Student Day)
• Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (Accepted Student Day)
• Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Accepted Student Day)
• Saturday, April 26, 2025 (Preview Day)

How to Apply

1. Submit the application form. Submit the form at least 7 days in advance of the date you wish to interview/audition.
2. On the application, provide the name and contact information of your current high school music ensemble director. Contact your director and request that they submit the recommendation form (automatically emailed to them when you apply) at least 7 days in advance of the date you wish to interview/audition.

How to Audition and Interview IN PERSON

1. You can perform your audition live for the Music faculty on one of the dates listed above or in a one-on-one audition, OR you can submit your audition in video format and just meet for the interview portion in person on the St. Scholastica campus.
2. Choose 1-2 solo pieces to perform (or record), up to 5 minutes of music. If you choose to record, see the recording instructions and accompaniment information under “How to Audition and Interview VIRTUALLY” below.
3. Choose a date for your audition and interview (listed above). If your piece requires piano accompaniment, an accompanist will be available on campus on that date or you may bring your own. Bring music for the accompanist to use; you may also submit it ahead of time by emailing it to Emily Valine.
4. After your application is received, you will be notified by email that you are being invited to a scholarship interview on campus. This email contains a link to a form to fill out. On this form, you’ll be able to let us know your scheduling availability for the audition and interview day. Submit this form as soon as possible, at least 1 week in advance of your audition and interview date.
5. Once all scheduling forms have been received from students auditioning and interviewing on that date, you’ll receive another email with confirmation of your official audition and interview time. This email will also contain information about traveling to campus, check-in instructions and information about other events happening that day (including Fine Arts Day events or performances you may be able to attend).
6. You’ll receive your specific scheduled time in an email 5-6 days before the audition and interview. More information about what the audition day looks like will be provided to you in that email as well.
7. Your audition results and scholarship amount (if awarded) will be communicated with you via email within 1-2 weeks of your audition and interview date, provided you have already applied and been accepted to the College.

How to Audition and Interview VIRTUALLY

1. You will submit your audition (a video of you playing or singing) before your interview date. On that date you’ll meet with the Music faculty via Zoom for your interview.
2. Choose 1-2 solo pieces to perform and record, up to 5 minutes of music.
3. Choose a date for your virtual interview via Zoom (dates listed above).
4. If your audition piece requires piano accompaniment, you have several options. A) you may have an accompanist performing with you in the room while you record, B) you may use a recorded accompaniment track that you already have access to or that someone in your community creates for you, and that you play on a device while you record or C) you may email a copy of your music to staff accompanist Emily Valine, and she will create an accompaniment recording for you to use. Please allow at least 10-14 days to receive your recording before the date you plan to record.
5. Submit a video recorded performance. You may submit your recording as a link directly in your application or you can submit it via email later to Emily Valine.
6. Once the Music program faculty and staff have reviewed your full application, including the video audition, you will be notified by email that you are being invited to an interview via Zoom video conference. This email contains a link to a form to fill out. On this form, you’ll be able to let us know your scheduling availability for the interview day. Submit this form as soon as possible, at least 1 week in advance of your interview date.
7. Once all scheduling forms have been received from students interviewing on that date, you’ll receive another email with confirmation of your official interview time. This email will also contain a link to a Zoom meeting and more information about the interview process. You’ll receive your scheduled time and Zoom link 5-6 days before the interview date.
8. Your audition results and scholarship amount (if awarded) will be communicated with you via email within 1 week of your virtual interview, provided you have already applied and been accepted to the College.

We are here for you!

If you have questions or concerns about the audition and interview process, either in person or virtual, please let us know, and we are ready to work with you on alternate solutions for your audition. The sooner we know about any challenges you may be facing, the more effectively we can help you navigate the situation and find a solution that works for you.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Valine at 218-723-6778.

Amount: $300 per year (renewable)

Deadline: Before the start of classes in the student’s first semester at St. Scholastica.

The Catholic Referral Scholarship is for incoming undergraduate students who have a referral form filled out by a priest, sister or other vowed religious. However, lay persons with leadership positions within the Catholic Church also may make referrals. Student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Complete the Catholic Student Referral Scholarship Form.

Amount: $1,000 per year (renewable) for traditional undergraduate students and 5% per year (renewable) for graduate/extended online students

St. Scholastica offers an award to students where two or more family members from the same immediate family are attending. This includes siblings or step-siblings, parent/child or stepparent/stepchild, or spouses.

• Students must be registered full-time at The College of St. Scholastica during the same enrollment period (currently defined as a semester)
• One of the family members must complete the Multiple Family Member Award form (my.CSS login is required to complete the form)
• This discount is available any semester as long as both family members are simultaneously attending
• The College retains the right to change this policy and rate at any time
• St. Scholastica employees and their dependents are not eligible for this award
• International students are not eligible for this award
• This award cannot be applied retroactively
• The Multiple Family Member Award will be adjusted to ensure that all scholarships, grants, remissions, or discounts (from any source) do not exceed the student’s cost of tuition
• This discount cannot be used in conjunction with the Legacy Award or any other St. Scholastica discount

Amount: Varies (nonrenewable, but may re-apply each year)

Deadline: March 1

Scholarship criteria:

• Son/daughter or niece/nephew of an Alumna/Alumnus
• Applicants must demonstrate potential for academic success including satisfactory GPA and/or class rank
• Enrolled as a traditional full-time student (12 or more credits per term)
• Students must apply each year (scholarship will not automatically be renewed)
• Applicant must submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to be awarded scholarship
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Apply to Alumni Scholarship