Cost & Financial Aid
Scholarships
Recognition and Support for Academic Excellence
Bethany offers a number of merit-based scholarships to full-time students which may be awarded in addition to any outside scholarships you may have obtained. When you apply for admission to Bethany Lutheran College, you automatically apply for all academic scholarships. Non-academic scholarships are not automatically applied for.
Full-time students receiving some type of financial aid
Financial aid awarded annually to Bethany students
Average aid package for a full-time student in 2023-2024
Academic Scholarships
Bethany has six academic scholarships. Full-time freshman scholarship recipients who maintain scholarship requirements over four years will receive the following amounts (may vary depending on starting year):
| Scholarship | Annual Value | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| Meyer Scholarship | Full tuition | $100,000+ |
| Ylvisaker Scholarship | $16,000 | $64,000 |
| Presidential Scholarship | $13,000 | $52,000 |
| Luther Scholarship | $12,000 | $48,000 |
| Bethany Grant | $10,500 | $42,000 |
| Opportunity Grant | $8,000 | $32,000 |
Qualification
- ACT score of 26/1240 SAT or better, with GPA of 3.6 or better: Meyer, Ylvisaker, and Presidential Scholarships. Each year, one Meyer Scholarship and four Ylvisaker Scholarships are awarded.
- ACT score of 23/1140 SAT or better, with GPA of 3.2 or better; or a GPA of 3.7 or better: Luther Scholarship.
- ACT score of 20/1040 SAT or better, with GPA of 2.8 or better; or a GPA of 3.3 or better: Bethany Grant.
- Formula composite of ACT/SAT and GPA: Opportunity Grant.
Application Procedure
When you apply for admission to Bethany Lutheran College, you automatically apply for the Presidential Scholarship, Luther Scholarship, Bethany Grant, and Opportunity Grant.
If you are awarded a scholarship at the Presidential level, we will send you information on how to complete the additional requirements of the Ylvisaker and Meyer scholarships. Application deadline for these scholarships is February 28, for fall enrollment. The required on-campus interview for these scholarships will be held April 5, 2025.
Renewal Requirement
All academic scholarships are awarded annually. There is a renewal requirement that you maintain satisfactory academic progress.
*Students receiving academic scholarships are leaders on campus. Those choosing to live off campus will have their scholarship reduced.
Other Bethany Scholarships
Promise MN Grant
Minnesota residents with a minimum 2.75 GPA who are eligible for the Minnesota State Grant and the Federal Pell Grant may qualify for the Promise MN Grant. Together, these three grants cover tuition in full. Residential students who receive the Promise MN Grant will also receive a discounted rate for room and board. Requirements, limitations, and additional details are available on the Promise MN Grant Application Form.
Christian High School Waiver
Available to incoming freshmen who graduate from a Christian high school and enroll directly to Bethany Lutheran College. The $2,000 Christian High School Waiver is renewable each year with a four-year value of $8,000.
Departmental Scholarship
Currently, one departmental scholarship is available:
- Center for Intercultural Development and Resources Leadership and Service Scholarship: CIDR Scholarship Application
Outside Scholarships
An outside scholarship usually does not need to be repaid if you complete all the necessary requirements. Contact your high school guidance counselor, hometown bank or credit union, church, local American Legion or V.F.W. and your or your parents’ place of employment to see if they offer scholarships.
Talent Scholarships
Your creative expression is highly valued at Bethany Lutheran College. Whether yours is a love of theatre, music, speech, art, film, animation, or design, you will find numerous opportunities at Bethany to perfect your skills and transform your passion into excellence.
The professors at Bethany are dedicated to helping you reach your full creative potential. They’ll help you refine the skills you already have and even discover new abilities and interests in areas you haven’t yet considered. Whether you choose to pursue a career as a creative professional or simply explore your favorite interests, the faculty is committed to helping you become the artist, designer, performer, and leader that you aspire to be.
Admitted Students complete the application by logging into your Application VIP Status Page or using the link below.
The talent scholarship priority application deadline is November 25. Application closes on January 31.
Christians are called to influence our culture and to cultivate their God-given abilities with determination and integrity. The scholarships listed here could be the first step in the development of your uniquely powerful creative voice.
Excellence in the arts has been at the heart of the Bethany community since 1927. While many collegiate institutions inflate costs and scholarship values, Bethany shares only actual costs and offers stackable scholarship awards. These scholarships range from $700 to $2,000 per year and more than 90% of scholarships awarded in a student’s first year are maintained through graduation.
Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone be the Glory!
A Wide Range of Talent Scholarships at Bethany
Mock Trial
Participate in mock trial and learn valuable advocacy skills that will prepare you for a successful career in law. Hone those skills in competition against collegiate teams from across the nation!
Speech and Debate
This highly educational and practical co-curricular activity will improve your work in the classroom and in life! Participate in regional and national competitions all over the country.
Learn, compete, and have fun, all at the same time!
Journalism
Perfect your writing, reporting, and photojournalism skills through your contributions to the college newspaper (the Scroll) and yearbook (Fidelis).
Scholarships are offered in each of these two areas.
Clay Targets
Explore the field of robust collegiate competition in Clay Target with the Bethany Vikings Team. Young men and women are able to compete in Minnesota and surrounding states at a high level for all four years of their undergraduate careers.
Music
Music scholarships support music majors and non-majors alike in our eight ensembles. Three scholarships are available:
Music - Awarded for enthusiastic participation and leadership in music departmental activities.
Jenson Memorial - For advanced music students, with priority given to those interested in church music.
Private Lesson - Covers the majority of lesson fees for piano, organ, voice, string, woodwind, brass, and percussion.
Theatre
The show must go on! Two scholarships are available in this exciting, creative and collaborative area:
The Acting Scholarship is awarded to students talented in acting and performance.
The Technical Theatre Scholarship is awarded to students with talents in stage management, directing, scenery, costumes, props lights, sound, and more.
Visual / Media Arts
Discover and refine the skills God has given you! Art exhibitions, film festivals, media / production competitions, and related coursework all provide opportunities to develop and showcase your unique creative vision.
Visual communication scholarships are awarded in the following five areas: two-dimensional work, three-dimensional work, graphic design, video production, and animation / motion graphics.
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.
Contact the Financial Aid Department
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.
