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Cost and Financial Aid

We're Committed to Making Your Education Affordable

The financial aid office strives to provide you with the best financial aid package for which you are eligible, and to make the application process as simple as possible for you. This site has been prepared to provide you with information on how to apply for financial aid, the various types of financial aid and Bethany Scholarships available, and alternatives that are available to help you and your families meet the cost of attending Bethany Lutheran College.

Our affordable, average annual net price is $17,700 for first time freshman living on campus. We invite you to explore our net price calculator which will help you begin the process of understanding the true cost of a Bethany education.

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Bethany’s average annual net price for first-time freshmen living on-campus is under $17,700*

• 98% of full-time students receive scholarships or grants.

• The average aid package for a full-time student in 2023-24 was $29,588.

• The average package consisted of 72% in gift aid (scholarships and grants that don’t need to be repaid), 2% in work-study, and 26% in loans.

• Bethany annually awards over $17 million in financial aid to students.

• All Bethany scholarships are renewable.

• Students automatically apply for an academic scholarship when they complete an application for admission. No other form is needed.

* Net price is based on the total cost of tuition, fees, room and board for first-time freshmen living on campus, minus all sources of gift aid, including federal, state, BLC, and outside grants and scholarships.

Our financial aid philosophy

We realize that you are making a significant financial investment to attend Bethany and we are here to help.

Our goal is to make Bethany affordable to you. We do this by coordinating a partnership that includes you and your family, the federal and state governments, Bethany Lutheran College, and other generous donors. We try to keep the process of applying for aid as simple as possible for you by requesting all necessary information on the front end and by answering all of your questions along the way.
Jeff Younge financial aid

Five simple steps

to get set up at Bethany

1.

Set up a visit to Bethany at blc.edu/visit. To have the best campus experience, visit Monday to Friday during the school year, or attend a Saturday open house.

2.

Apply for admission to Bethany Lutheran College: blc.edu/apply
Bethany’s ACT Code is: 2086.
Bethany’s SAT Code is: 6035.

3.

Apply for aid at studentaid.gov as soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year. In the college release section, be sure to add Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN.

Bethany’s Federal Student Code is: 002337.

Optional Talent Scholarships in Mock Trial, Speech, Journalism, Visual/Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Clay Target, and Esports can be applied for on this page.

If you have special circumstances that are not reflected on your FAFSA, fill out Bethany’s Special Circumstances form.

4.

You will receive a Financial Aid offer from Bethany detailing your options.
Several links for help finding outside scholarships are available here.

5.

Deposit to reserve your place, choose classes, and share housing preferences.

Five simple steps

to financial aid at Bethany

1.

Set up a visit to Bethany at blc.edu/visit. To have the best campus experience, visit Monday to Friday during the school year, or attend a Saturday open house.

2.

Apply for admission to Bethany Lutheran College: blc.edu/apply
Bethany’s ACT Code is: 2086.
Bethany’s SAT Code is: 6035.

3.

Apply for aid at studentaid.gov as soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year. In the college release section, be sure to add Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN.

Bethany’s Federal Student Code is: 002337.

Optional Talent Scholarships in Mock Trial, Speech, Journalism, Visual/Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Clay Target, and Esports can be applied for on this page.

If you have special circumstances that are not reflected on your FAFSA, fill out Bethany’s Special Circumstances form.

4.

You will receive a Financial Aid offer from Bethany detailing your options.
Several links for help finding outside scholarships are available here.

5.

Deposit to reserve your place, choose classes, and share housing preferences.

Academic Scholarships

Marvin G. Meyer Scholarship and Dr. Ylvisaker Scholarship

Number Awarded: Several

Value: $64,000 (renewable at $16,000 annually) to Full tuition annually ($30,570 for 2024-25)

How to Apply: Complete an application to Bethany. This competitive scholarship is based on GPA, standardized test score, on-campus interview, and on-campus timed essay. Candidates must first meet the requirements for a Presidential Scholarship.

Deadline: Feb 28

Presidential Scholarship

Number Awarded: No limit

Value: $52,000 (renewable at $13,000 annually)

How to Apply: Complete an application to Bethany. This scholarship requires a 26 ACT (1240 SAT composite of Critical Reading and Math) and a 3.6 GPA.

Priority Deadline: April 15

Luther Scholarship

Number Awarded: No limit

Value: $48,000 (renewable at $12,000 annually)

How to Apply: Complete an application to Bethany. This scholarship requires a 23 ACT (1140 SAT composite of Critical Reading and Math) and a 3.2 GPA, or a 3.7 GPA.

Priority Deadline: April 15

Bethany Grant

Number Awarded: No limit

Value: $42,000 (renewable at $10,500 annually)

How to Apply: Complete an application to Bethany. This scholarship requires a 20 ACT (1040 SAT composite of Critical Reading and Math) and a 2.8 GPA, or a 3.3 GPA.

Priority Deadline: April 15

Talent Scholarships

Journalism, Music, Speech, Theater, Visual Art, Clay Target, Esports, Mock Trial, Intercultural Leadership

Number Awarded: A student may receive one of the nine talent scholarships listed above (not including a music lesson award).

Annual Value: $700-$2,000

Early Deadline: November 25
Standard Deadline: January 31

Jeff Younge and Sally Sorenson financial aid

Family Income Range and Average Financial Aid Package

Family income range of students who applied for and received aid during 2023-24.

Family Income RangeMedian Scholarship/Grant AidMedian Total Package*

Under $50,000

$28,090

$34,925

$50,000-$69,999

$26,215

$32,479

$70,000-$89,999

$22,495

$29,880

$90,000-$109,999

$19,500

$30,399

$110,000-$129,999

$16,500

$25,515

$130,000-$149,999

$15,700

$24,181

$150,000 and above

$15,000

$24,019

*The median total package is a combination of scholarships/grants, student and parent loans, and on-campus employment.

Graduate posing with family member
Graduate hugging family member
Student studies in Honsey Hall

Bethany Lutheran College accepts all scholarships and grants from outside sources. Significant financial aid sources are sponsored by business, industry, parents’ employers/labor unions, churches, and community organizations. We encourage you to seek any outside source that might apply to or interest you. Contact your high school counselor for information. 

Caution: You may receive information from organizations requesting a fee to help you find scholarship funds. Be sure to check with your high school counselor before using these services.

All courses and programs offered at Bethany are approved for veterans’ educational benefits by the Minnesota State Approving Agency of the State Department of Education. Veterans or veterans’ survivors planning to enroll should contact their VA office and the registrar of the college at an early date so that an application for benefits can be made.

But wait, there’s more!

Scholarships are just one way of making your Bethany education more affordable. See if you qualify for grants, loans, tax credits, or work-study programs.

Have Questions?

We’re here to answer your financial aid questions. Contact us today!

Next Steps

Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.