Scholarships
I know what it feels like to dream about college while worrying about how to pay for it. In 2016, I received the Dell Scholarship as a high school senior, and it changed the trajectory of my life. I created this page to point future scholars — especially low-income and immigrant students like me — toward real opportunities. Start early, tell your story honestly, and never give up on your dream.
Featured: Dell Scholars Program
The Dell Scholars Program of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation was created for low-income high school seniors who have shown resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
- Award: $20,000 scholarship, plus a laptop, textbook credits, and ongoing academic and personal advising throughout college
- Who it’s for: High school seniors with a 2.4+ GPA who demonstrate financial need (Pell Grant eligible), participated in an approved college-readiness program (such as AVID, GEAR UP, or KIPP) during 11th and 12th grade, and plan to enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree program
- What makes it special: It rewards perseverance and determination — not just perfect grades
- When to apply: Applications open each fall — check the official site for the current year’s deadline
More Scholarships for Low-Income and Immigrant Students
More opportunities worth exploring if you’re a low-income, first-generation, or immigrant student:
QuestBridge National College Match
Full four-year scholarships to top colleges for high-achieving, low-income high school seniors; open to students regardless of citizenship if attending high school in the U.S.
The Gates Scholarship
Full cost of attendance for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households (Pell-eligible, 3.3+ GPA).
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Scholarships for students of Hispanic heritage pursuing a college degree.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship
Up to $55,000 per year for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
$20,000 merit scholarship for high school seniors recognized for leadership, service, and academic achievement.
Horatio Alger National Scholarship
$25,000 for high school seniors who have faced adversity and kept going — for students whose determination and integrity shine through hardship.
Page Education Foundation
Minnesota scholarships for students of color who commit to mentoring younger students in their communities.
GED
The GED is the high-school equivalency credential — passing its four subject tests earns you a diploma equivalent recognized by colleges and employers across the country. You can find official test information, practice tests, and testing center locations on the official GED website, and the free Adult Education classes below can help you prepare for it at no cost.
Adult Education
If college still feels far away, start here. Minnesota offers free adult education for anyone 17 and older who is not enrolled in K-12 — including English classes, GED and high school diploma programs, citizenship preparation, and career training. Everything below is free. These programs are organized by county:
Hennepin County
- Osseo Area Schools Adult Basic Education (Brooklyn Center) — Free English as a Second Language, GED preparation, reading, writing, and math classes, days and evenings. Serves nearly 1,000 adult students a year from over 60 countries.
- Robbinsdale Area Schools Adult Academic Program (Crystal) — Free GED, ESL, and U.S. citizenship preparation classes, in person and online, days and evenings.
- Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Education — Free ESL, GED, and adult diploma classes across Minneapolis.
Anoka County
- Metro North Adult Basic Education (Anoka and Blaine) — Free English classes, GED and adult diploma programs, and college/career readiness training, including a New Americans Academy.
Ramsey County
- Roseville Adult Learning Center (Roseville) — Free English language classes, GED and adult diplomas, U.S. citizenship test prep, career pathways, and computer/digital literacy classes. No cost to join. Call 651-604-3553.
- Saint Paul Public Schools Adult Education – Hubbs Center (St. Paul) — Free ESL, GED, and adult diploma programs.
- Neighborhood House Wellstone Center (St. Paul) — Free ESL and GED preparation classes in a community setting.
Statewide
- Minnesota Adult Basic Education — The Minnesota Department of Education funds free adult education at 300+ sites statewide: adult diplomas, GED/HiSET, English as a Second Language, career pathways, and citizenship classes.
- Minnesota Adult Literacy Hotline — Call 800-222-1990 (or text 612-424-1211) or search online to be matched with the nearest free program.
- Literacy Minnesota — Free English, GED, and job-skills classes across Minnesota.