6 St. Scholastica scholarships you never knew existed

Every year that passes seems to bring with it a rise in college tuition. We all dream of earning a degree from that college or university that boasts the perfect combination of community and academics but, sometimes, it’s difficult to ignore the price tag that comes with it. It can cast a shadow over a school that may otherwise seem perfect for you—especially when the decision shifts to public school versus private school.

In fact, a recent study reported that although tuition has steadily increased over the years, financial assistance has risen right along with it. The average student at a private, nonprofit institution pays about 57 percent of the sticker price.

At The College of St. Scholastica (CSS), we believe our students have the capacity to use what they learn to impact their communities in remarkable ways. That is why we do what we can to lessen the financial burden of a college education. Financial aid was offered to 100 percent of first-year students in the 2013-14 academic year.

CSS provides a wide variety of scholarship options, but here are six of the most exclusive offerings for our future students.

1. Benedictine Scholarship

Award Amount: $14,000 – $18,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: CSS wants to reward you for all of that hard work you put into your academics throughout high school. All incoming freshman applicants are eligible for a Benedictine Scholarship. This award is based on academic merit, specifically focusing on a combination of each student’s cumulative high school GPA and composite ACT or SAT score.  What’s better? This scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years or until you receive a bachelor’s degree.

2. CSS Multicultural, Inclusion & Diversity Scholarship

Award Amount: $500 – $3,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: CSS strives to maintain multiculturalism and diversity among its student body. That is why we proudly offer a Multicultural, Inclusion & Diversity Scholarship in addition to promoting an environment of equality and regular student offerings from the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

All incoming freshmen are eligible to apply. Award recipients must demonstrate an interest in pluralism, inclusion and the advancement of racial and social justice. If selected, you will be invited to attend a social justice leadership training and be given the opportunity to participate in various activities that promote racial and social justice issues.

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

3. Ge-naadamaagoyan Native American Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000 – $18,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: “Ge-naadamaagoyan” means, “that which helps you” in Ojibwe. This scholarship provides financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native students who demonstrate an active participation in and commitment to advancing and preserving the traditions of tribal communities. Preservation efforts can include everything from upholding a tribe’s language and history to addressing contemporary social, economic or legal issues impacting tribal communities.

Applicants must be incoming freshmen or new transfer students in the undergraduate programs. In addition to maintaining satisfactory academic progress, recipients of this scholarship will actively participate in the Indigenous Student Alliance and act as a mentor to other students.

This scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years.   

4. CSS College Readiness Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: At CSS, we believe in the power of higher education and maintain that everyone deserves an opportunity to earn a degree. Students who are proactive in making college a possibility despite any financial restraints demonstrate an admirable degree of hard work and dedication—so we want to help!

Scholarship recipients must have actively participated in an income-based college readiness program while in high school. Examples of eligible programs include College Possible, Project Success, Black Achievers and Urban Debate League.

This renewable scholarship is automatically awarded to qualifying students based on the information provided on their admission applications.   

5. Sister Timothy Kirby Social Justice Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000 – $18,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: Sister Timothy Kirby graduated from CSS in 1939 with a music degree and entered the St. Scholastica monastery the following year. In addition to her devotion to the monastery, she taught at CSS, served as dean of students and worked in alumni relations.

But her dedication to others stretched far beyond the campus lines. She was an advocate for peace and social justice, having earned numerous community service and volunteer awards in her lifetime. Perhaps most notably, she volunteered at the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth for more than 20 years, acting as a spiritual mentor for the inmates. She passed away in 2010.

CSS offers the Sister Timothy Kirby Social Justice Scholarship in an effort to honor her remarkable life and keep her insatiable spirit for peace and justice alive. Recipients must demonstrate a substantial commitment to multiplicity and the advancement of racial and social justice. Award amounts are determined on an individual basis and are based on financial need.   

6. John Baggs Memorial Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria: John Baggs was the head coach of the Saints baseball team from 1991-2009, when he lost a battle with cancer. He was only 24 years old when he began coaching at CSS, the youngest head coach in the country at the time.

Baggs is remembered as a jack-of-all-trades. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism before pursuing his coaching career. He recorded a cumulative winning percentage of .720 throughout his tenure and was named Coach of the Year 12 times in 18 years. On-field wins aside, he touched the lives of countless students and was a positive role model to many.

This memorial scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and showcase creative ability in the realms of advertising, public relations or journalism. Participation in the CSS community, involvement in community service and high academic achievement can result in scholarship renewal for three additional years.         

To apply for or learn more about these scholarship opportunities and several others offered by The College of St. Scholastica, visit our undergraduate scholarships page.