Freshman scholarships : Listed alphabetically

A list of national and international scholarship opportunities for outstanding undergraduates and recent graduates.

For more information on any of these scholarships, contact Sally Lieberman or the campus contact person mentioned under a specific award.

This page lists scholarships for which students may apply during freshman year.

Sort by:
Award Name | Application Deadline

• Boren National Security Education Program Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.01 (Expected, for 2009-10 scholarships)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience

  Supports a term or year of study abroad, for the purpose of equipping Americans with an understanding of less commonly studied languages and cultures in regions critical to U.S. interests. NSEP emphasizes the importance of language study as a major component of the study abroad program. Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be an integral part of the proposal. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with strong academic records, language and international interests. FRESHMAN through SENIORS may apply for the undergraduate scholarships. (Boren Fellowships are also offered for GRADUATE STUDENTS, who should visit the Office of International Programs website for further information.) Carries a one-year service requirement. Approximately 150 are awarded nationwide. An institutional review and interview process is conducted on campus for undergraduate applicants. Campus contact: Meaka Henningsen, Office of International Programs, 645 Heller Hall, 626-9123, meaka@umn.edu. A campus application packet for U of M undergraduates will be available at http://www.international.umn.edu/. Further information is available at the Boren website, at IIE. Click here for recent winners.

  °

• Carpe Diem Foundation Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.05 (Expected, for 2009 awards)
  Freshman Undergraduate Sophomore Junior Prizes and Awards

  Honors high school seniors and college students for outstanding achievements, leadership, and commitment to community service. Applicants may be high school seniors or college students currently in their FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, or JUNIOR year. Must be a U.S. citizen attending a U.S. accredited educational institution. Selection criteria include demonstrated character, outstanding achievements, exceptional leadership ability, a serious commitment to community service, academics, and potential to improve the quality of human life. Some priority is given to candidates whose parents are employed in education, government, or other areas of public service. 12-24 grants will be awarded for $2500-$5000 per year and are usable for tuition, room and board, books or other academic expenses. There is an application fee. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. Further information and application forms are available at the Carpe Diem Foundation website.
  

  °

• Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2008.12.01 (for 2009-10 awards)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Internship Junior Senior Abroad Experience After Graduation

  Year-long program beginning in July provides opportunities for young adults to gain cultural understanding, education, and professional experience in Germany. Applicant must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident, age 18-24 at the start of the program; high school, college (FRESHMAN through SENIOR), or GRADUATE STUDENT. Includes classroom instruction and an internship experience.  Award covers international and in-country travel, seminars, and accommodations with a host family. Preferred fields include business, technology, engineering, and agriculture. All fields may apply. German language proficiency is strongly recommended but not required. 75 awards nationwide. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. Further information is available at the CBYEYP website. Click here for recent winner.

  °

• Critical Language Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.01 (Expected, for summer 2009 scholarships)
  Freshman Undergraduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience After Graduation

  U.S. government-sponsored scholarships support intensive summer language study in the "critical need languages," Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, or Urdu, at approved language institutes abroad. Applicants must be U.S. citizens; may be FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, SENIORS, GRADUATE STUDENTS, or recent GRADUATES. (Persian institute is available to graduate students only.) All fields of study are eligible. Some institutes have language prerequisites, but many are open to beginners. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. For further information and access to the online application, visit the Critical Language Scholarships website.

  °

• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2008.10.15 (for study abroad programs beginning between December 2008 and April 2009)
  Freshman Undergraduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience

  For undergraduate study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Awards are for up to $3000 for a summer, $5000 for a semester, or $7000 for an academic year. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, FRESHMAN through SENIOR with at least one term remaining at the U upon completion of the study abroad; have financial need; be applying to or accepted by a study abroad program through the U or another U.S. accredited university in an eligible country; have little or no prior experience in the proposed country. Carries a service commitment. Campus contact: Thuy Doan, Learning Abroad Center, 230 Heller Hall, 612.626.8686, thuydoan@umn.edu. Further information is available at IIE. Deadlines vary by term. Applicants should request endorsement by a study abroad advisor and obtain financial aid verification well before the deadline.

  °

• Gilman International Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2008.10.7 (For Spring 2009 programs)
  Freshman Undergraduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience

  For a semester or academic year of study abroad worldwide, for undergraduates with significant financial need. FRESHMAN through SENIORS may apply. Awards are for up to $5000, with the amount varying depending on the length of study and student need. Gilman Scholars studying certain languages may also apply for an additional Critical Need Language Supplement of up to $3000. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Pell Grant recipients, must be applying to or accepted by a study abroad program of at least 4 weeks in length for which the U will award academic credit. Carries a small service commitment. Over 800 Gilman Scholarships are awarded nationwide. Campus contact: Thuy Doan, Learning Abroad Center, 230 Heller Hall, 612.626.8686, thuydoan@umn.edu. Further information and online application available at IIE. Deadlines vary depending on the term. Applicants should request study abroad advisor approval and obtain financial need verification well before the deadline.

  °

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.03 (Expected)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Junior Senior After Graduation

  For undergraduate or graduate study in any field. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage as defined by the Scholarship Fund, U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident, with GPA of 3.0 or higher. FRESHMAN through SENIORS and GRADUATE STUDENTS may apply. Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. Further information and applications are available at Hispanic Scholarship Fund website.

  °

• Lorde Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.04 (Expected)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Junior Senior After Graduation

  Scholarships of $1000 are awarded annually to ten or more lesbians and gay men of African descent who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs and are making significant contributions to their communities. FRESHMAN through SENIORS, GRADUATES, and GRADUATE STUDENTS may apply. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. For further information and deadlines, visit the ZAMI website.

  °

• Malmberg Scholarship for Study in Sweden

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2008.11.15 (for 2009-10 scholarships)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience After Graduation

  Administered by the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, this scholarship provides up to $10,000 for up to a year of study or research in Sweden. FRESHMAN through SENIORS and GRADUATE STUDENTS who are U.S. citizens or residents may apply. Must have a working knowledge of Swedish language. The scholarship will not be awarded for language study alone, although language study may be part of the proposal. Must establish an institutional contact in Sweden who/which can provide a letter of affiliation or invitation. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. For further information and application materials, visit the American Swedish Institute.

  °

• National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.02 (Expected, for scholarships beginning Fall 2009)
  Freshman Undergraduate Sophomore Junior

  Supports outstanding undergraduates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research, for one to four years. Applicants may be full-time FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES, or JUNIORS. Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be certified by the Office of Student Finance as having “exceptional financial need. In general, applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, but foreign nationals may apply under certain conditions. Carries a service requirement. Approximately 15 scholarships of up to $20,000 are awarded per year; scholarship may be renewed for up to four years. Also includes paid research training at NIH during the summer. Carries a commitment to take up paid employment and training at NIH for one or more years after graduation. Campus contact: Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu. Further information is available at The National Institutes of Health.

  °

• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships

  Deadline (YR.MM.DD): 2009.02 (Application deadlines are set by the clubs; expect FEBRUARY or EARLY MARCH 2009 deadlines for scholarships for 2010-11.)
  Freshman Undergraduate Graduate Sophomore Junior Senior Abroad Experience After Graduation

  The world's largest privately funded scholarship program for international education: hundreds of scholarships are awarded each year for students from nearly 100 host countries, including the U.S., to study abroad in other host countries. The purpose of the program is to further international understanding and friendly relations. Several types of scholarships are offered, including academic year scholarships, multi-year scholarships, and scholarships for 3-6 months of intensive language study and cultural immersion. Awards range from $10,000 to $23,000, depending on the type and length of the program. Some of the scholarships have language proficiency requirements. SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, SENIORS, AND GRADUATES may apply. Must be citizen of a country with Rotary Clubs. Initial application is made through a Rotary Club in the applicant's hometown or place of current full-time study. Interested students should contact Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu or a local Rotary Club and begin working on the application by early February. For further information, visit the Rotary International website.

  °