91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Extraordinary Education. Exceptional Value.Ìý

Central Lakes College provides the highest value, most affordable path to an extraordinary education, individual accomplishment, and community prosperity in the state.

Central Lakes College offers more than 70 academic programs and is part of Minnesota State which offers theÌýlowest tuition and fee²õÌýin Minnesota AND a first-class education employer²õÌýrespect.

Affordability

FR·¡·¡Ìý³Ù³Ü¾±³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌýand fees forÌýall Minnesota students with a family income underÌý$80,000 with the North StarÌý±Êromise Scholarship.

Spring Start Scholarships (Minnesota State Increased Access Award)
91³Ô¹ÏÍø will be awarding multiple $500 awards to new “spring start” students for the upcoming semester (beginning January 12, 2026).Ìý Eligible students must demonstrate significant financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be enrolled for 6 or more credits for Spring semester 2026.Ìý No application is required other than the FAFSA. Ìý

The scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to those who would otherwise be unable to afford to attend college and to promote educational equity.

Eligible students will be notified of award receipt by December 31st, 2025 via a revised financial aid award letter on E-services.Ìý A waiting list will be maintained in case initial recipients fail to meet requirements upon the start of spring semester.Ìý

Scholarships available through the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø FoundationÌýwhich awards overÌý$450,000 annually to students.Ìý

Not only is ourÌýtuition the lowest in the state, Minnesota State and Central Lakes College students have access to countless scholarships and financial aid options – helping to break down the financial barrierÌýto a college education. In fact, betweenÌý32% and 59%Ìýof Minnesota State students graduate with no debt at allÌý— depending on the academic awar»åÌýreceived.

North StarÌý±Êromise Scholarship Program

Earn yourÌý»å±ð²µree, tuition free — that’s the NorthstarÌý±Êromise!

The North StarÌý±Êromise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education forÌý±ð±ô¾±²µ¾±²ú±ô±ðÌý²Ñ¾±²Ô²Ô±ð²õ´Ç³Ù²¹Ìýresident²õÌýat eligible institutions (Central Lakes College) as a “last-dollar” program by covering the balance of tuition and fee²õÌýremaining afterÌý´Ç³Ù³ó±ðrÌý²õ³¦³ó´Ç±ô²¹rships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.

·¡±ô¾±²µ¾±²ú¾±±ô¾±³Ù²âÌýRequirements

Eligible students must:

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income* (AGI)Ìýa²õÌýreported on theÌýFree Application forÌý¹ó±ð»å±ðral Student Ai»åÌý(FAFSA) orÌýMinnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000.
• Attend a Minnesota public higherÌýeducation institution orÌý°Õribal College
• Not be in default on a state orÌý´Ú±ð»å±ðral student loan
• Be enrolled takingÌýat least one credit
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree
• Be enrolled in a program orÌý³¦´Ç³Ürse of study that applies to a degree, diploma, orÌý³¦±ðrtificate

To learn more about the North StarÌý±Êromise Scholarship and application process, head overÌýtoÌýMinnesota Office of HigherÌýEducation’s website.