The Achieve Scholarship program is designed to address two critical barriers to college attendance: lack of academic preparation and financial access. Eligible Minnesota high school graduates who complete any one of four sets of courses defined as rigorous earn a one-time scholarship to help pay for college at a public or private university or college in Minnesota. Eligible students who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 can receive a one-time scholarship of $1,200 available for use within the four years immediately following their high school graduation. Eligible students who graduate after January 1, 2009 and enroll full time (15 credits) in an eligible college or university in the academic year immediately following their high school graduation can receive a one-time scholarship for use in their first academic year ranging from $1,200 to approximately $4,000 depending on financial need.

To be eligible, a student who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 must:

• Have a parental adjusted gross income of less than $75,000 reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year during which the scholarship is requested (this limit also applies to the adjusted gross income reported for independent students)
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Meet the definition of Minnesota resident used for state financial aid programs
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota.
• Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts
• Successfully complete the first term of college enrollment in order to receive the second $600 installment of the Achieve Scholarship
• Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting described below

To be eligible, a student who graduates after January 1, 2009 must:

• Enroll full time (15 credits) in an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota within the first academic year immediately following high school graduation
• Be eligible to receive either a Federal Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Meet the definition of Minnesota resident used for state financial aid programs
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts
• Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting described below

Additional Award for Online Course Completion in High School

Eligible students who graduated after January 1, 2009 and who have completed at least one online course while in high school may receive an additional award of $150 to be used in conjunction with the Achieve Scholarship award. If the online course is not clearly identified on the official high school transcript, student may be requested to provide additional documentation.

Rigorous Programs of Study

Students who graduated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 must have completed, unless otherwise stated, each of the required courses with a grade of 'C' or above.

Students who graduated after January 1, 2009 must have completed all of the required courses and graduated with an unweighted grade point average of 2.5 or higher. In addition, students who graduated after January 1, 2009 can request a foreign language requirement waiver if their first language is not English and they have attained English language proficiency. To request a waiver please contact the Office of Higher Education.

To be eligible, the student must have completed one of the following four rigorous programs of study while in high school or a home-school setting:

• A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative. This program of study requires passing grades in the following:
  • Four years of English;
  • Three years of math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics);
  • Three years of science, including one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics;
  • Three years of social studies; and
  • One year of a language other than English.
• Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores. This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams.

• Minnesota Coursework Requirements. This program requires:
  • Four years of language arts;
  • Three years of math, including one year each of geometry and two years of algebra, one of which is intermediate or advanced algebra;
  • Three years of science including one year each of a biological and physical science;
  • Three years of social studies; and
  • Two years of a single foreign language.
• Minnesota Dual Credit Program. With a passing grade of 'B' or better: High School students taking BOTH a math course (Algebra 2 level or higher) AND a science course (biology, chemistry, or physics) under the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program or the Concurrent Enrollment Program, worth a total of at least 6 college credits, shall meet the rigorous program of study requirements.