St. Cloud State University Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on November 2, 2026
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and average family net price
  • Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
  • Flagship and hidden-gem awards
  • Honors and stacking strategy

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~95%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 17-25
  • Middle 50% SAT: N/A
  • Average GPA: 3.4

St. Cloud State is one of the easier yeses in the Midwest. It admits about 95% of applicants, guarantees admission at a 2.5 GPA, charges no application fee, and is test-optional. That matters for money, because almost everything SCSU hands out on the merit side is tied to simply getting admitted and getting your paperwork in early.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌 St. Cloud State University at a Glance

🏆 Full tuition available (Huskies Scholars Program)
Average Net Price
$14,735/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$500 to $2,500/yr (plus Be A Husky Rate)
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
10 opportunities
2 automatic · 1 competitive · 4 hidden gem · 3 honors
Typical Qualifiers
2.6 GPA or 24 ACT (either one)
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional admission
Automatic merit has a no-test path
Scores optional for competitive awards
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Huskies Scholars Program (75 Minnesota residents)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
Special Waivers Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at St. Cloud State (Read This First)

  • The biggest award has a fall cutoff. The new Huskies Scholars Program (full tuition and fees for 75 Minnesota students) required the admission application by Nov. 1, with the transcript, admission essay, and FAFSA due Dec. 1. If your student applied in time, don’t let the Dec. 1 pieces slip.
  • Out-of-state is not a penalty here. The Be A Husky Rate automatically bills out-of-state students Minnesota tuition. Wisconsin and North Dakota families go through their own reciprocity applications instead, so don’t assume it happens on its own.
  • Admission money and foundation money are two separate applications. The Presidential Scholarship comes with admission. The 450+ Huskies Scholarships need a separate spring application, and you can’t start it until you have a StarID, which only comes after admission.
  • You won’t know your Presidential amount until the letter. It’s $500, $750, $1,500, or $2,500, and SCSU doesn’t publish which grades or scores land which amount. Scores are optional, but if your student has a 24+ ACT, send it.
  • Minnesota families: watch the June FAFSA cutoff. SCSU’s aid office says the FAFSA had to be in by June 1 to be considered for the state’s North Star Promise last cycle. Late filers lose it for the year.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. St. Cloud State University is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).

Do you need test scores for scholarships at St. Cloud State University? Test-optional for money too: a 2.6 high school GPA alone qualifies for a Presidential Scholarship, and a 24+ ACT is a second path that may raise the amount.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 17-25; SAT: N/A.

Average net price? About $14,735/year after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes. Institutional waivers are available.

💰 Cost of Attendance at St. Cloud State University: 2026–2027 Rates

Figures verified against official sources in November 2026.

📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest St. Cloud State University has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.

Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $500 to $1,100 more than the total below.

✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.

All students: billed cost per year
$22,762
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $11,456
Housing & meals (typical) $11,306
Total billed cost $22,762

Average federal net price: $14,735 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.

📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options

Be A Husky Rate: New out-of-state undergrads who don't qualify for reciprocity are automatically billed Minnesota resident tuition. For 2026-27 that turns the $21,132 nonresident tuition sticker into $9,960, an $11,172 yearly break, with no application. Reciprocity: Wisconsin and North Dakota students apply through their home state's reciprocity office. South Dakota and Manitoba students get reciprocity automatically. Students from Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio can also look at the Midwest Student Exchange Program. International students pay a separate rate ($5,727 per semester in 2026-27).
How SCSU’s Pricing Actually Works

Two things make St. Cloud State cheaper than the sticker suggests. First, flat-rate tuition: full-time students pay one price for anywhere from 12 to 18 credits a semester, so taking 15 or 16 credits to graduate on time costs nothing extra. Second, the Be A Husky Rate brings out-of-state students down to Minnesota tuition automatically. A few majors add a per-credit charge on top, including Nursing, Mass Communications, and Art, so check your student’s program before you budget.

FAQ: Cost of Attendance at St. Cloud State

Do out-of-state students really pay in-state tuition?
Yes, if they don’t already qualify for reciprocity. For 2026-27 the nonresident tuition sticker is $21,132, and the Be A Husky Rate knocks $11,172 off so it matches the $9,960 Minnesota rate. There’s no application. It shows up once your student is admitted.

We live in Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota. Which deal do we get?
Reciprocity. Wisconsin and North Dakota students apply through their home state’s reciprocity office. South Dakota and Manitoba students get it automatically, though SCSU asks you to double-check the bill. Students from Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio can also look at the Midwest Student Exchange Program.

What do families actually pay after aid?
The most recent federal number is about $14,735 a year for students who received grants or scholarships. That covers tuition, fees, housing, food, and books, not just tuition.

How much did tuition go up this year?
For 2026-27, full-time in-state tuition rose from $9,385 to $9,960, about 6%. Over the past decade, increases across the Minnesota State system averaged under 3% a year, so this was a bigger jump than usual. Budget for more increases.

Can my student save money by living at home?
Yes. SCSU says living with parents cuts the budget by about $2,975 a semester. With so many students coming from Central Minnesota and the I-94 corridor, commuting is a real option for a lot of families.

Are there extra charges for certain majors?
A few. For 2026-27, Nursing adds $38.44 per credit, Mass Communications adds $35.50, and Art adds $39.47. Those charges apply no matter where you live.

Sources:
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/businessservices/tuition/undergraduate.aspx
https://knsiradio.com/2026/05/20/tuition-going-up-at-scsu-sctcc-this-fall/

📅 SCSU Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)

  • By Nov. 1 of senior year: Submit the admission application. Minnesota students with a 3.5+ GPA need this for Huskies Scholars consideration.
  • Dec. 1: Huskies Scholars transcript, admission essay, and FAFSA due.
  • February to mid-March: Huskies Scholarships foundation application window (needs a StarID).
  • March 1: Honors College priority deadline.
  • June 1 (Minnesota families): FAFSA cutoff for North Star Promise, based on last cycle.

Parent rule of thumb: the Presidential Scholarship takes care of itself once your student is admitted. Everything else on this page has a date attached.

Automatic Merit Scholarships at St. Cloud State

Every admitted first-year is automatically considered for a Presidential Scholarship of $500 to $2,500 a year. A 2.6 high school GPA or a 24 ACT gets your student in the door, so test scores are optional for money too. Out-of-state students also get the Be A Husky Rate, which drops their tuition to the Minnesota price.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$500–$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.6+ GPA24+ ACT or 2.6+ high school GPA (either path qualifies).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Sits alongside the Be A Husky Rate for out-of-state students, and SCSU says admitted students who get a Presidential award can still apply for Huskies Scholarships foundation money. SCSU has not said how it combines with the Huskies Scholars Program, so ask before assuming both.
💡
Strategic Detail
Four amounts: $2,500, $1,500, $750 or $500 per year. Qualify with a 24+ ACT or a 2.6+ cumulative high school GPA (either one). Renewable for up to four years based on SCSU GPA and course completion; SCSU does not publish the exact renewal GPA. Cannot be used for Accelerated Online Programs.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Nearly every admitted first-year. Guaranteed admission starts at a 2.5 GPA and the Presidential floor is a 2.6 GPA or a 24 ACT, so the real question is which of the four amounts you land, not whether you get one. SCSU does not publish the tier cutoffs, so the award letter is the first time you see your number.
Automatic
Be A Husky Rate
📅 Deadline: Varies
✓ Renews
$11,172/yr
✔ Stackable
Admitted undergraduates from states without a Minnesota reciprocity agreement.
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a tuition rate, not a check, so the Presidential Scholarship and any Huskies Scholarships money land on top of it.
💡
Strategic Detail
For 2026-27 the nonresident flat rate is $10,566 per semester ($21,132 a year). The Be A Husky Rate brings it to the resident rate of $4,980 per semester ($9,960 a year), an $11,172 yearly difference. Students from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba use reciprocity instead. International students pay a separate rate. SCSU describes it for new first-year and transfer students and lists it on its standing tuition table, but it does not publish separate renewal conditions, so confirm with Business Services.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every admitted out-of-state undergrad who does not already qualify for reciprocity. Families from Iowa, Illinois, Colorado or anywhere else pay what a Minnesota family pays in tuition, which is rare for a public university.
Data last verified Nov 2, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

Note: SCSU doesn’t publish which GPA or test score lands which Presidential amount, so the range above is the full spread. The Presidential Scholarship can’t be used for SCSU’s Accelerated Online Programs.

Automatic Merit FAQs (St. Cloud State)

How much is the Presidential Scholarship?
It comes in four amounts: $2,500, $1,500, $750, or $500 a year. Your student finds out which one in the award letter.

Does my student need the ACT or SAT to qualify?
No. A 2.6 cumulative high school GPA qualifies on its own. A 24+ ACT is a second way in, and SCSU says scores can help scholarship consideration, so send them if they’re good.

Is the Presidential Scholarship renewable?
Yes, for up to four years, as long as your student keeps up their SCSU GPA and completes their courses. SCSU spells out the exact terms in the award, so read that letter closely.

Do out-of-state students have to apply for the Be A Husky Rate?
No. It’s applied automatically once they’re admitted. Students from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba use reciprocity instead.

Can my student get both the Presidential Scholarship and the Be A Husky Rate?
SCSU offers both to every eligible admit, and neither page says one cancels the other. The Be A Husky Rate is a lower tuition price, and the Presidential Scholarship is money on top of that.

What about Minnesota state aid?
Minnesota residents may also qualify for state programs like North Star Promise and the Minnesota State Grant. Those cards appear with the automatic awards above when they apply. They all run off the FAFSA, so file early.

Sources:
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/financing/scholarships.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/admissions/default.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/businessservices/tuition/undergraduate.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/financialaid/default.aspx

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

St. Cloud State’s merit system has mostly been simple: an automatic Presidential award for nearly everyone, then foundation money through one spring application. The Huskies Scholars Program is the big new exception. It covers full tuition and fees for up to four years for 75 Minnesota students starting in fall 2027.
Huskies Scholars at a Glance
  • Who: Minnesota residents graduating high school in 2027 with a 3.5+ GPA
  • What: Tuition and fees for up to four years, plus direct Honors College admission and priority registration
  • Not covered: Housing, food, and books (budget about $11,306 a year for housing and meals)
  • Deadlines: Admission application by Nov. 1; transcript, admission essay, and FAFSA by Dec. 1

Heads up: when we reviewed this, SCSU hadn’t posted a dedicated program page. These details come from SCSU leaders quoted in local news, and SCSU hasn’t said whether there will be a fall 2028 group.

✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at SCSU?

Aid Type Stacks? SCSU Parent Translation
Presidential Scholarship One per student Your student gets one of the four amounts. It’s the base layer.
Be A Husky Rate Yes It’s a lower tuition price, not a scholarship check, so other awards sit on top.
Huskies Scholars Program Unclear It already covers tuition and fees. SCSU hasn’t said how it combines with the Presidential award, so ask before counting both.
Huskies Scholarships (foundation) Yes SCSU says students with a Presidential award can still apply. This is where housing and fee gaps get filled.
Need-based grants (Pell, MN State Grant, North Star Promise) Usually These run off the FAFSA. North Star Promise is meant to cover tuition left after other grants and scholarships, so a big SCSU award can shrink it.
Full TuitionApp Required
Huskies Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: 11-01
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full tuition and mandatory fees
✘ Not stackable
⚠  Minnesota residents only; class of 2027 cohort.
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~75 winners/yrMinnesota residents, high school class of 2027, 3.5+ GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
SCSU has not published how this combines with the Presidential Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the SCSU admission application by Nov. 1, then get the official high school transcript, the admission essay and the FAFSA in by Dec. 1. Open only to Minnesota residents graduating high school in 2027 with a 3.5+ GPA.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
New for students entering fall 2027. Covers tuition and fees for up to four years; housing, food and books are not included. Winners get direct admission to the Honors College and priority registration. No official SCSU program page was published at the time of our review, so these details come from SCSU leaders quoted in local news. SCSU has not said whether a fall 2028 cohort will follow.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong Minnesota students with a 3.5+ GPA who moved early. Only 75 spots exist and the Nov. 1 application cutoff comes before many seniors have finished their college list, so the winners are the ones whose families treated SCSU as a real option in October.
Data last verified Nov 2, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Who can apply for the Huskies Scholars Program?
Minnesota residents graduating high school in 2027 with at least a 3.5 GPA who plan to start at SCSU in fall 2027. There are 75 spots.

What does it cover?
Tuition and fees for up to four years, about $11,456 a year at 2026-27 rates. Housing, food, and books are not included, so families still need a plan for those.

What are the deadlines?
The admission application had to be in by Nov. 1. The official transcript, admission essay, and FAFSA are due Dec. 1.

We missed Nov. 1. Is there any way in?
Based on what SCSU has announced, Nov. 1 was the cutoff to be eligible. Call SCSU admissions to confirm, and keep an eye out for a possible fall 2028 group.

Can out-of-state students apply?
No, it’s for Minnesota residents. Out-of-state students get the Be A Husky Rate instead, which brings their tuition down to the Minnesota price.

Do winners get anything besides money?
Yes. Huskies Scholars get direct admission to the Honors College and priority registration. Priority registration is a real perk when popular classes fill up fast.

Need help with the essay?
Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder can help your student organize their story before the Dec. 1 deadline.

Sources:
https://knsiradio.com/2026/09/21/st-cloud-state-offering-free-tuition-to-75-minnesota-students/
https://www.stcloudlive.com/news/local/st-cloud-state-huskies-scholars-program
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/financing/scholarships.aspx

🧠 Parent Strategy: SCSU’s “Second Application” Rule

Getting admitted gets your student the Presidential Scholarship. It does not put them in the running for the 450+ foundation scholarships. Those come through one separate application called Huskies Scholarships, and it only opens to students with a StarID.

  1. Get admitted, then activate the StarID right away.
  2. When the spring window opens (it ran Feb. 2 to Mar. 15 last cycle), finish the common application and the supplemental questions.
  3. Write the short essays. They’re what separates a finished application from a skipped one.
  4. Watch the SCSU email in late April and accept any offer inside the portal, or it gets canceled.

Parent translation: one spring application is the difference between $500 and enough to cover housing.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These aren’t automatic, but they stack on top of the Presidential Scholarship and fill real gaps. Most run through the Huskies Scholarships application, so one form covers a lot of ground.

App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Huskies Scholarships (General Application)
📅 Deadline: 03-15
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradAdmitted or current SCSU students with an active StarID.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built to sit on top of admissions merit. SCSU says students who receive a Presidential award can still apply.
📄
How to Apply
After admission, activate the StarID, sign in to Huskies Scholarships during the spring window, and finish the common application plus the supplemental questions and short essays. One application covers 450+ awards. If you get an offer, accept it inside the portal by the date in the offer email or it is canceled.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Run by the SCSU Foundation. Last cycle the window was Feb. 2 to Mar. 15, 2026, and offers went out by email in late April. You need an active StarID, which you only get after admission. Most awards are for one year and you reapply each spring. The portal was closed for maintenance during our fall 2026 review, so check the page for the 2027-28 dates.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who actually fill it out. The system matches you to awards by major, hometown, background and need, so the biggest thing separating winners from everyone else is finishing the application and the short essays before mid-March.
App Required
St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club Freshmen Scholarship
📅 Deadline: 03-15
Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
23+ ACT, 3.3+ GPA, or top 50% class rank (any one).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the Huskies Scholarships general application during the spring window. You are matched automatically if you qualify.
💡
Strategic Detail
Listed at $1,000 in Huskies Scholarships for 2026-27. Open to incoming freshmen or incoming transfers; freshmen need a 23+ ACT, a 3.3+ cumulative GPA, or a top 50% class rank. Additional consideration for first-generation college students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming freshmen and new transfers with solid but not spectacular stats. The bar is a 23 ACT, a 3.3 GPA, or top half of the class, and first-generation students get extra consideration, which makes this one of the more reachable named awards.
App Required
Caliber Scholarship
📅 Deadline: 03-15
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Business majors only.
23+ ACT, 3.3+ GPA, or top 25% class rank (any one), plus a business major.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Declare a Herberger Business School major, then complete the Huskies Scholarships general application during the spring window.
💡
Strategic Detail
For new incoming freshmen majoring in a Herberger Business School field who scored 23+ on the ACT, earned a 3.3+ cumulative GPA, or ranked in the top 25% of their class. SCSU does not show the amount publicly right now; one third-party listing puts it at $1,000.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming freshmen who declare a Herberger Business School major on day one. Undecided students miss it, so if your student is leaning business, putting it on the application matters.
Automatic
PSEO Husky Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
⚠  SCSU PSEO students only.
30+ SCSU PSEO credits with a 3.5+ GPA, or an SCSU PSEO A.A. with a 3.0+.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship, since graduating PSEO seniors still count as incoming first-years.
💡
Strategic Detail
Available in the first year after high school graduation to students who completed 30+ credits through SCSU PSEO with a 3.5+ cumulative GPA, or who finished an A.A. through SCSU PSEO with a 3.0+. Graduating PSEO seniors are also considered incoming first-years for the Presidential Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Minnesota students who did serious PSEO work through SCSU and then enroll as freshmen. If your student earned 30+ SCSU PSEO credits with a 3.5, this is $1,000 most families never hear about.
Data last verified Nov 2, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Hidden Gems FAQ

How many scholarships does SCSU’s foundation give out?
More than 450, funded by alumni and community partners. One application covers all of them, and the system matches your student automatically based on their answers.

Does my student have to apply for each scholarship separately?
No. They complete the common application plus the supplemental questions and are considered for everything they qualify for.

When does the application open?
Last cycle it ran Feb. 2 to Mar. 15, 2026, and offers went out in late April. During our fall 2026 review the system was closed for maintenance, so check the Huskies Scholarships page for the 2027-28 dates.

My student did PSEO through St. Cloud State. Is there anything for them?
Yes. The PSEO Husky Scholarship is $1,000 for students who earned 30+ SCSU PSEO credits with a 3.5 GPA, or finished an A.A. through SCSU PSEO with a 3.0. Talk to an SCSU PSEO counselor before enrolling.

Can the money be used at another college or sent to us directly?
No. SCSU scholarships have to go toward SCSU tuition and fees.

What about transfer students?
SCSU automatically gives the Red & Black Transfer Scholarship ($500 or $1,000 a year) to new transfers with a 3.0+ college GPA, and a $500 award to Phi Theta Kappa members.

Sources:
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/huskiesscholarships/default.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/huskiesscholarships/questions.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/pseo/graduatingstudents.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/financing/scholarships.aspx

Honors College at St. Cloud State

The SCSU Honors College is small, which is the point. In fall 2025, only 29 new freshmen started in Honors, out of nearly 800. That means discussion-style classes, real relationships with professors, and priority registration. Admission is not automatic. Students apply separately after being admitted to SCSU.

  • How they decide: Holistic review that looks at commitment to academics, school and community involvement, and a required short essay
  • Priority deadline: March 1
  • Decision timing: Usually two to three weeks after a complete application
  • Shortcut: Huskies Scholars Program winners get direct admission

Honors College Scholarships & Funding

App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Deeann Griebel Honors Student Scholarship
📅 Deadline: 03-15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 5 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  Honors College members only.
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All UndergradHonors College members with a 3.0+ GPA and need and/or Honors community involvement.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship and other Huskies Scholarships awards.
📄
How to Apply
Join the Honors College, then apply through the Huskies Scholarships general application during the spring window.
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded by alumna Deeann Griebel. Applicants must be Honors College members with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA and financial need and/or active involvement in Honors outreach or community building. As fund size permits, the award can equal up to half the cost of tuition and fees and is renewable for up to five years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Current Honors students with a 3.0+ who either have financial need or show up for Honors outreach and community-building work. It is one of the few awards at SCSU that can reach half of tuition and fees, so Honors students should not skip the spring application.
App Required
First-Generation Honors Award
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
⚠  First-generation Honors students.
🏫 3.2+ GPAFirst-generation, newly entering Honors students with a 3.2+ GPA and financial need.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a 500-word essay or a 3-minute video about your background, challenges and goals through the Honors College award form, and file the FAFSA.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One-time $500 for newly entering Honors students who are the first in their family to pursue a bachelor's degree. Requires a 3.2+ GPA, FAFSA-documented need, good standing in Honors, and attending at least one Honors event each semester.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation students starting their first Honors semester with a 3.2+ GPA and financial need. The essay or video is short and few students know to apply, so the odds are better than the dollar amount suggests.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Research and Travel Award
📅 Deadline: Varies
Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
⚠  Honors College members only.
🎓 All UndergradCurrent Honors students in good standing.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with other aid; it covers a specific trip or project cost.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Honors application with a description of the project, conference or study abroad trip, an itemized budget, and a support letter from a faculty member or advisor.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $500 for current Honors students in good standing who are doing an academic project, attending a conference or studying abroad.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students who already have a conference, research project or study abroad trip lined up and need help with the cost. Plan the trip first, because the form asks for a real budget.
Data last verified Nov 2, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

Honors awards here are smaller and more targeted than the big honors packages at flagship universities. The Deeann Griebel Scholarship is the one that can reach serious money.

Deadline Note: The Honors priority deadline is March 1, the same stretch as the Huskies Scholarships window. Have your student apply to Honors in February and do the foundation application the same week.

Honors College FAQs (St. Cloud State)

Is Honors admission automatic?
No. Only admitted SCSU students can apply, and the application includes a short essay. The one exception is Huskies Scholars, who are admitted directly.

Does Honors come with a scholarship?
Not automatically. Honors students can apply for the First-Generation Honors Award, the Research and Travel Award, and the Deeann Griebel Scholarship, which can cover up to half of tuition and fees when funding allows.

Can out-of-state students join Honors?
Yes. Honors admission isn’t tied to residency, and out-of-state Honors students still get the Be A Husky Rate.

Can students join Honors after freshman year?
Yes. Current SCSU students and transfers can apply. Transfers from another college’s honors program may be admitted directly.

Is Honors more work?
It’s different work. The classes are smaller and built around discussion, and the program leans into leadership, mentoring, and community engagement. Honors also counts toward a minor.

Sources:
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/honors/prospective/default.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/honors/program/scholarships.aspx
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/air/_files/documents/reports/factbook/2025-fall-university-factbook.pdf

⭐ College Specialty

St. Cloud State started as a teachers college in 1869 and is now the second-largest school in the Minnesota State system, with roughly 9,600 students. It’s a working-family university in the best sense: about 40% of students are the first in their family to go to college, and most come from Central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. The programs that pull the most students are practical ones with clear jobs at the end, led by nursing, psychology, computer science, biomedical sciences, and information systems.

Nationally Known Program:
Herberger Business School. It’s one of only seven AACSB-accredited business schools in Minnesota, and it has held that accreditation since 1976, making it one of the earliest accredited business schools in the country. It covers accounting, finance, management, marketing, business economics, and information systems.
  • Nursing: SCSU calls it the top-ranked nursing program in Minnesota, with clinical placements across the state. It’s the most popular undergraduate major on campus. Budget for the extra per-credit nursing charge.
  • Teacher Preparation: In 2026 the National Council on Teacher Quality gave SCSU an A+ for preparing elementary teachers to teach reading. That reflects a 150-year track record of training Minnesota’s teachers.
  • Computing & Cybersecurity: Computer science, cybersecurity, software engineering, and information systems. Information systems has a 4+1 path into a master’s in information assurance.
  • Regional Rarities: Meteorology, land surveying and mapping science, and geospatial science are hard to find at other Minnesota public universities.
  • Hockey: Division I men’s and women’s hockey at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center are a big part of campus life.

One honest note: SCSU has spent several years tightening its budget, and since 2023 it has discontinued or paused admission to 189 academic credentials. In October 2026, Minnesota State approved $10 million in transitional funding to support its core operations. None of that changes the programs above, but before your student commits, confirm their intended major is on SCSU’s current undergraduate program list.

✅ Wrapping It Up

Here’s St. Cloud State in one breath: it’s a value school that doesn’t make you jump through hoops. Admission is close to a sure thing, everyone qualifies for some Presidential money with a 2.6 GPA, and out-of-state families pay Minnesota tuition without filling out a single extra form. Strong Minnesota students now have a shot at full tuition through the Huskies Scholars Program, as long as they get in early.

The money most families leave behind is the second application. The Huskies Scholarships window in late winter is where housing and fee gaps get covered, and it only works if your student has activated their StarID and actually finishes it. If your student is headed for nursing, business, teaching, or computing, SCSU can be one of the most affordable four-year paths in the Upper Midwest. Just put the dates on the fridge.

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Leo Dimilo

Written by Leo Dimilo. I went through the college money maze with my own daughter, and I started CollegeReadyParent to give other families the plain-English version I wish we’d had. No paywall, no lead forms, just the numbers and the fine print.

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