Minnesota State Fair Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Minnesota State Fair

Overview
The Minnesota State Fair Scholarship program was established in 1994 to support students from greater Minnesota and those involved in agricultural programs. Since then more than $600,000 has been awarded. All scholarships are funded by donations to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

What’s available for 2026
- Up to 22 scholarships of $1,000 each for students entering any field of study (see eligibility below).
- Two scholarships of $2,000 each for people of any age who are entering or furthering training in a skilled trade (examples: welding, lineman, mechanic, plumbing, electrical, apprenticeships, tech or vocational school).

Key dates
- Applications open: March 2026.
- Application deadline: July 15, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. (online only). Late or incomplete applications won’t be considered.
- Scholarship recipients notified by telephone by Aug. 9, 2026.
- Public announcements: Aug. 28 (4-H Beef Championship) and Sept. 7 (FFA Awards).
- Recipients must claim scholarships by Oct. 1, 2026; payment will be mailed to the address on the application after required documents are received.

Eligibility — two tracks
1) General scholarship (up to 22 awards)
- Minnesota resident from greater (rural) Minnesota OR enrolled in an agriculture program (for example, FFA or 4-H).
- Planning to attend or currently enrolled in post-secondary education (entering freshman–senior at a 4‑year university, community college, or technical college).
- Anticipated participation in the 2026 Minnesota State Fair is required.
- Previous Minnesota State Fair Scholarship recipients are not eligible.

2) Skilled trade scholarship (two awards of $2,000)
- Open to people of any age.
- Entering or furthering training in a skilled trade (post-secondary program, apprenticeship, tech/vocational school).
- Anticipated participation in the 2026 Minnesota State Fair is required.
- Minnesota residency and agricultural enrollment/rural residency requirement also apply as stated for the program.

Application and materials
- Apply using the online scholarship application by the July 15, 2026 deadline.
- Do not submit multiple applications.
- For the general scholarship: include a transcript (official or unofficial) uploaded through the online application.
- For the skilled trade scholarship: include a letter of recommendation (uploaded through the online application).
- Incomplete applications (missing transcript or recommendation where required) will not be considered.

Sample application questions
For the general scholarship:
1. What was your past involvement at the Minnesota State Fair (years, programs, awards)?
2. What is your anticipated participation at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair?
3. Describe your scholastic achievements (GPA, honors, etc.).
4. What leadership activities are you involved in (offices held, projects directed, athletics)?
5. What community service or volunteer work have you participated in?
6. What are your future goals?

For the skilled trade scholarship:
1. What was your past involvement at the Minnesota State Fair (years, programs, awards)?
2. What is your anticipated participation at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair?
3. Why would you like to enter a profession in the trades?
4. What community service or volunteer activities have you been involved in?
5. What are your future goals?

How applications are judged
- A State Fair representative will first check that applicants meet minimum eligibility.
- Qualified applications are sent to committee members for scoring based on the stated criteria.
- The committee’s average scores determine recipients.
- A State Fair representative votes only to break ties.

If you are selected
- You’ll receive a phone call by Aug. 9.
- You must write thank-you notes to scholarship donors as instructed and may be asked to meet donors.
- To receive payment you must provide a billing statement from your post-secondary school showing tuition has been paid (paid tuition may include grants, scholarships, or cash payments). Do not send transcripts or class schedules for this purpose.
- Payment is issued after the Competition Department receives your proof of paid tuition and the required thank-you notes. Payment is mailed to the address on your application.

Contact
If you have questions about the program or the application, contact the Competition Department:
- Phone: 651-288-4417
- Email: competition@mnstatefair.org

Quick tips from a teacher
- Start your application early and gather your transcript and recommendation ahead of time.
- Make sure your phone number is current—recipients are notified by phone.
- Keep a copy of your submitted application and uploaded files.
- Meet the July 15 deadline; late or incomplete submissions cannot be considered.