Scholarship Opportunity

Minnesota Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant

Offered by Minnesota Office of Higher Education

The Minnesota Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant provides educational benefits to eligible dependent children and surviving spouses of public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1973. The grant supports undergraduate, graduate, and certificate study at eligible Minnesota institutions participating in the Minnesota State Grant Program.

EssayNot required
RenewableYes
Grade LevelUndergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Certificate Student

Application Timeline

Important application dates

This scholarship offers more than one application cycle. Review each window carefully before applying.

2026-27 Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant Cycle

OpensTo Be Announced
DeadlineAugust 31, 2026

Eligibility

  • Be the dependent child or surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1973.
  • Dependent children generally must be under age 23 before the start of their first enrolled term for the academic year.
  • A dependent child may be under age 30 if the student served on active military duty for at least 181 consecutive days and was honorably discharged or released to the student's reserve or National Guard unit.
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate program at an eligible Minnesota institution participating in the Minnesota State Grant Program.
  • Obtain a Public Safety Officer's Benefit Fund Certificate issued by the Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety.
  • Have not received program benefits for more than 10 full-time semesters or 15 full-time quarters, subject to limited exceptions for active military service or major medical illness.

Requirements

  • Complete the student section of the Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant application.
  • First-time applicants must obtain a Public Safety Officer's Benefit Fund Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
  • Provide the completed student section of the application to the Financial Aid Office at the institution attended.
  • First-time applicants must provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of the Public Safety Officer's Benefit Fund Certificate.
  • The institution's Financial Aid Office must complete the institution section and submit the required documents to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
  • Returning recipients must reapply each academic year.

How to Apply

  1. 1Confirm eligibility as the dependent child or surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty.
  2. 2First-time applicants should obtain the Public Safety Officer's Benefit Fund Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
  3. 3Complete the student section of the 2026-27 Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant application.
  4. 4Provide the completed student section to the Financial Aid Office at the Minnesota institution you attend.
  5. 5If applying for the first time, provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of the Public Safety Officer's Benefit Fund Certificate.
  6. 6The Financial Aid Office completes the institution section of the application.
  7. 7The Financial Aid Office submits the completed application and required documents to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
  8. 8Apply by August 31, 2026 for priority consideration.
  9. 9Applications received after the priority deadline may still be considered but may be placed on a waitlist depending on available funding.
  10. 10Reapply each academic year if continued assistance is needed.