Frequently Asked Questions

• THFAAS is only applicable at Riverland Community College. Riverland has campuses in Austin, Albert Lea and Owatonna as well as online programs.

• The scholarship is available for five years following the student’s graduation from APS/Pacelli. Student’s may enroll at Riverland part-time of full-time during their five-year window.

• Students honorably discharged from military service within five years of graduation from APS/Pacelli will have the scholarship available to them for three years following the student's honorable military discharge.

• Students are eligible to start attending Riverland the fall semester after their senior year. Students are not eligible to have summer classes covered by the scholarship immediately following their senior year of high school. Students who are required to take summer courses immediately after their senior year to complete academic program requirements can submit an appeal. Subsequent summer semesters will be covered by the scholarship by students who are in good academic standing and degree-seeking at Riverland.

• Is there an appeal process? Yes, you can complete an appeal here: Appeal Form

• Students must be degree-seeking at Riverland to use the scholarship. Visiting or non-degree seeking students are not eligible.

• Student’s are required to complete the FAFSA or Dream Act application every year they are enrolled.  

• Students who are open-enrolled into APS or Pacelli Districts or are homeschooled (regardless of residence location) do NOT qualify for the scholarship.

The scholarship will pay for up to 100% of the student’s tuition and fees that are not funded by Federal and/or Minnesota State grants. For 2019 and future graduating seniors, the scholarship will pay for up to 65 college credits towards an approved program of study at Riverland. There will be some exceptions for programs or majors that require more than 65 credits. Additionally, up to $2,000 of required textbooks and course materials will be covered by the scholarship.

Students will receive a pro-rated scholarship amount based on the number of years attending APS/Pacelli. See the percentages below for graduates of APS/Pacelli:

• Attend 4 years – 100% of the tuition and fees for 65 college semester credit hours not funded by grants.

• Attend 3 years – 75% of the tuition and fees for 65 college semester credit hours not funded by grants.

• Attend two years – 50% of the tuition and fees for 65 college semester credit hours not funded by grants.

• Attend one year – 25% of the tuition and fees for 65 college semester credit hours not funded by grants.

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship is applied as a last dollar/GAP funding for students. The scholarship will pay remaining tuition after state and federal grants have been applied to student accounts. Because of this, each student is expected to complete the FAFSA or FAFSA Forecaster to receive the scholarship. You can complete the FAFSA application as early as a October 1st of the student’s senior year of high school.

Additional Scholarships (not THFAAS) apply to students account balances after Federal & State Aid and THFAAS tuition dollars. Previous to Fall 2022, additional scholarships were applied to student accounts before THFAAS.

1. Students must be a 2019 (or later) graduate of Austin Public Schools or Pacelli High School and must live in the Austin Public School enrollment district.

2. Students must have 50 documented volunteer hours in the community.

3. Students must meet at least ONE of the following requirements by the end of the student’s senior year:

   1. Earn a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher

   2. Pass all courses with a GPA of 2.0 or higher in their Junior & Senior year of High School

   3. ACT Composite score of 18 or higher

   4. ASVAB score of 31 or higher

   5. Be a graduate of the Be Your Best College Prep Summer Academy at Riverland

4. Student must be enrolled in an approved program of study and be in good standing at Riverland Community College.

*New qualification criteria effective with the high school Class of 2023.

Students are required to complete volunteer hours in the community to qualify for the Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship. Students must enter their volunteer hours on the “Get Connected” platform from Mower County United Way. https://uwmower.galaxydigital.com/  

Students can find volunteer opportunities on the Get Connected Platform (automatically approved in the system) or enter their own opportunities (manually approved).

Read more information

Important Details:

• Volunteer work is an unpaid activity that benefits the community, specifically working with non-profits or providing a service to an individual who may need assistance. Example: shoveling snow for your neighbor or volunteering to read at the library. Volunteering at your place of work does not qualify.

• Volunteer hours can be documented after you have finished 8th grade.

• Students must perform a service for someone other than family members. For example, chores at home, on the farm, and babysitting younger siblings do not count as volunteer hours.

• Volunteer hours may not be court ordered.

• Volunteer hours must be completed by the last day of the student's Senior year of high school.