The University of Minnesota's Promise Scholarship, also known as U Promise, is a guaranteed needs-based scholarship for Minnesota residents for new freshman and new transfer students who meet the financial eligibility requirements. Application for the scholarship is automatic once a student has completed his or her U of M application and FAFSA form. The scholarship is needs-based and is awarded to students from families with up to a $100,000 income.
In addition to this guaranteed scholarship, the City of Minneapolis offers the STEP-UP Program, which prepares youth for success in the workforce by offering quality work and training experiences, targeting low-income and at-risk populations. It is a paid summer internship program that provides workforce training and development, but beyond basic job skills students with additional financial needs are eligible to attend U of M for free (under U Promise) with participation in a STEP-UP internship. To date 16,000 young people aged 14-21 have become STEP-UP interns, and 2,000 of them have gone on to college for free as a result.
Writer: Nicole Rupersburg
Source: Mike Christenson, Minneapolis Community and Technical College