Ridgewater College MENU ×
  • Logins
    • New Student Portal
    • D2L – Brightspace
    • Email & Office 365
    • Employee Portal
    • e-Services
    • MediaSpace
    • StarID
  • Bookstore
  • Library
    • Find What You Need
    • Library Services
    • Research Assistance
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
    • Academic Calendars
    • Current Events
  • Contact Us
    • Appointments
    • Request Information
    • Staff Directory
  • Give
  • Athletics
  • Apply Now
  • About
    • Academic Calendars
    • College Governance and Policies
    • Data and Reports
    • Employment
    • Maps and Locations
    • Marketing, Communications, Recruiting & Outreach
    • President's Welcome
    • Vision, Mission, Equity & Anti-Racism Commitment & Guiding Principles
  • Academics
    • A to Z Listing of Programs Offered
    • Academic Calendars
    • Archived Catalogs
    • Areas of Study
    • Course Descriptions and Outlines
    • Course Catalog
    • Course Schedule
    • Customized Training
    • Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
    • Online Programs and Options
    • Study Abroad
    • Transfer Pathways
    • Types of Degrees
    • Undecided?

    Areas of Study

    • Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
    • Agriculture & Veterinary Technology
    • Art, Design & Visual Communications
    • Automotive Trades
    • Business & Marketing
    • Construction Trades
    • Cosmetology
    • Education
    • Health Care & Massage Therapy
    • Information Technology
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Mathematics, Science & Engineering
    • Occupational Skills
    • Peace Officer, Legal & Emergency Services
  • Admissions & Aid

    Admissions

    • Admissions & Aid
    • Admissions Checklist
    • Apply Now
    • How to Apply
    • Orientation, Advising and Registration
    • PSEO - Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
    • Visit
    • Why Ridgewater

    Cost & Financial Aid

    • Cost: Tuition & Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • North Star Promise Scholarship Program
    • Paying for College
    • Pay Your Tuition
    • Scholarships

    Information for Students

    • College in the Schools - Concurrent Enrollment
    • Incoming Transfer Students
    • International Students
    • Nontraditional Students
    • Online Students
    • Returning Students
    • Senior Citizens
    • Veterans
  • Diversity

    About

    • Contact Us
    • Calendar
    • Equity 2030

    Employee Programs

    • Affinity Groups
    • Brave Space Discussion Groups
    • Safe Zone Trainings

    Student Programs

    • Multicultural Club (Willmar)
    • Multicultural Student Advisory Board (MSAB)

    Admissions & Aid

    • International Students
  • Student Success & Activities

    Student Success

    • Academic Coaching
    • Academic Support Center (Tutoring)
    • Advising and Support
    • Bookstore
    • Career Services
    • Counseling
    • Accessibility and Disability Services
    • Food Services
    • Housing & Community
    • Library
    • Multicultural Outreach
    • Student Records & Registration
    • Technology Services
    • Test Centers
    • TRIO Student Support Services
    • Veterans Resource Center

    Student Resources

    • Basic Needs Resources
    • Maps and Locations
    • Class Cancellations
    • Final Exam Schedule
    • Graduation
    • Star Alert
    • Student Emergency Resources
    • Student Forms
    • Student Health Resources
    • Student Rights & Responsibilities
    • Transcript Requests
    • Warrior Card (Student ID)
    • Student Workshops

    Student Activities

    • Student Life (Campus Activities)
    • Fitness Center
    • Lunch Buddy Program
    • Performing & Visual Arts
    • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
    • Student Clubs & Interest Groups
    • Student Senate
  • Alumni & Foundation

    About Us

    • Ridgewater College Foundation
    • Board Members
    • Foundation Staff
    • Policies & Fees

    Giving

    • Why Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Give Now
    • Fundraisers & Events
    • Scholarship Donors
    • Recognition

    Scholarships, Support, & Resources

    • Scholarships
    • Prepare Your Scholarship Application
    • Student Emergency Resources

    Alumni

    • Alumni Services
    • Alumni Stories
    • Transcript Requests
  • Customized Training

    Customized Training Solutions

    • Commercial Driver Training (CDL)
    • Agriculture & Environment
    • Building & Construction Trades
    • Crane Operation & Certification
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Healthcare & Human Services
    • Manufacturing & Industry
    • Motorcycle Safety
    • Nondestructive Testing
    • Workplace Safety & Compliance
    • Leadership & Professional Development
    • Workforce Development Solutions
    • Contact Us

Home    |    Alumni & Foundation    |    Ridgewater College Foundation    |    Scholarships

  • Alumni & Foundation
  • Alumni Services
    • Alumni: Share your Story
    • Alumni Stories
    • Alumni E-Newsletter
  • Ridgewater College Foundation
    • Why Give
    • Board Members
    • Policies & Fees
    • Give Now
    • Foundation Staff
    • Scholarships
      • Prepare Your Scholarship Application
      • CNA Scholarship (Certified Nursing Assistant)
      • Workforce Development Scholarships
    • Student Emergency Resources
    • Ways to Give
    • Fundraisers & Events
      • 2025-2026 Celebration of Giving
      • Past Scholarship Awards Celebrations
    • Recognition
Listen
Scholarships title with image of students accepting their scholarships below.

Scholarships are basically free money for college, and we offer scholarships for all types of students.

Explore our diverse range of scholarships – your ticket to college without the financial burden. Unlike loans, scholarships are a form of gift aid, meaning you won’t need to repay them. Whether it’s financial need, academic excellence, talent, or more, there’s a scholarship for you!

The Ridgewater College Foundation uses a universal online scholarship application!  One application works for ALL Ridgewater scholarship opportunities.  Our system will automatically match you to scholarships based on eligibility criteria set up in the system.

When the application is open, an “apply now” button will be available on this page. When the application is not open, you can get a head start on your short-answer questions using our scholarship application prep page.

Apply Now

Fall Awards

Application Now Open
(Apply spring semester (February 2026 – June 2026) for funding in the fall)

  • Fall award application deadline is JUNE 1.
  • Award notifications will be sent out via email in July.

Spring Awards

Application Now Closed
(Apply fall semester (September 2025 – November 2025) for funding in the spring)

  • Spring award application deadline is NOVEMBER 1.
  • Award notifications will be sent out via email in December.

Basic Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

If you meet the basic requirements below, you should apply for Ridgewater scholarships each semester! 

  • You have been accepted to Ridgewater College
  • You have an active StarID and password
  • You are not a Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) student for the upcoming semester
  • You plan to enroll in at least 6 credits for the upcoming semester
  • You are in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or above, not suspended and not on warning)

Criteria for each scholarship will vary. The eligibility requirements above are the minimum requirements to apply for any Ridgewater College scholarship.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply and what's on the application?

When the application is open, an “apply now” button will be available on this page. When the application is not open, you can get a head start on your short-answer questions using our scholarship application prep page. Here, you’ll be able to download a word document template. You can save your answers so they are ready to copy and paste when the application opens.

The application will also ask a series of multiple choice and drop down questions to help match you to awards you’re eligible for.

When and how will I hear if I was awarded a Ridgewater scholarship?
  • Scholarship applications will be reviewed within 3-4 weeks following the deadline.
  • Students who are awarded are notified via their Ridgewater College email about two months after the deadline.
  • Students must accept their award and complete the necessary steps within two weeks of being notified to receive their scholarship.
Where can I view my scholarship awards?

You can view your scholarship awards in e-Services under the “Financial Aid” tab then under the “Awards” tab.

 

Why aren't my awards applied to my tuition balance yet?

When a scholarship is placed on your student account it will not automatically subtract from your tuition balance due. You can view your balance due by going to: e-Services, then “Bills and Payment”. You will need to calculate your total balance due by subtracting your Financial Aid and Scholarship Awards from your tuition balance. The amount remaining is what you owe. There are four ways you can pay your tuition.

For example: 

You go under the “Financial Aid” tab then under “Awards” and see you have a $1,000 scholarship and $500 in financial aid. Your total awards = $1,500. Then you go under “Bills and Payments” and see your tuition Balance is $2,000.

$2,000 Balance – $1,500 Awards = $500 Due

After paying the $500 due, you will still have a tuition balance due of $1,500 until aid applies. Once aid applies on the tenth day of the semester your tuition balance due should be $0.

Financial aid and scholarships are disbursed after the last day to add/drop classes each semester. You will see your awards applied to your tuition balance at this time.

What should I do with a scholarship check I received outside of Ridgewater? (External Scholarships)

The Ridgewater College Business Office can help apply external scholarships to your student account. If you have an external scholarship check please include the following information before mailing or delivering your check to campus:

  • Information to include with the check – this can be written on a separate piece of paper:
    • Your student Tech ID (8-digit number)
    • Your full name
    • Any documents that came with the check
    • Is the check “payable” to you (the student)?
      • If yes, sign the back of the check.
  • Deliver the check in one of two ways
    • Mail the check to:
      Ridgewater College
      Attn: Business Office
      2101 15th Ave NW
      Willmar, MN 56201
    •  Deliver the check to Campus:
      • on the Willmar Campus – Business Office (A143)
      • on the Hutchinson Campus – Business Office window

More Important Information & Resources

Important Scholarship Information

Note the scholarship application is separate from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which offers state and federal grants, loans, and work-study awards. These scholarships are administrated by the Ridgewater College Foundation and are offered in both the spring and fall. This page is updated each semester.

Available Foundation Scholarships [PDF]
How Scholarships Applications are Scored [PDF]
External Scholarship Opportunities [PDF]
Scholarship Acceptance Terms [PDF]

Prepare Your Application

Scholarship Application User Guide [PDF]

Contact Information

Stephenie Jimenez

Advancement Services Coordinator for the Ridgewater College Foundation

320-222-6095
[email protected]

Ridgewater College
Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
Request Info Plan Your Visit Enroll for Free Give

Willmar Campus

2101 15th Ave NW
Willmar, MN 56201
320-222-5200
Map & Directions

Hutchinson Campus

2 Century Ave SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
320-234-8500
Map & Directions

Resources

  • Apply
  • Events
  • Title IX

More

  • Ridgewater College Foundation
  • Employment
  • Request Information
  • Employee Portal
Minnesota State

© 2026 Ridgewater College. All rights reserved.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Privacy Policy Sitemap

© 2026 Ridgewater College. All rights reserved.   |   Privacy Policy   |   Sitemap

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Ridgewater College is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Minnesota State
Translate »