U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the FED Academic Alliance
Our best investment: you.
As of Dec. 1 2025, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is sunsetting the Federal Academic Alliance, a Trusted Partner of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Current students receiving the Trusted Partner Scholarship through the FAA are still eligible to receive the scholarship as long as they are enrolled and receiving the scholarship and do not pause or withdraw from their program.
New students are still eligible to receive the scholarship as long as they identify themselves as a federal employee by Jan. 5, 2026 and have enrolled and are set to start a program during the Spring 2026 semester.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is proud to partner with US Office of Personnel Management and the FED Academic Alliance to offer employees like you unique career advancement and development opportunities.
With more than 55 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs across our three schools, you’ll find the one that fits your goals and busy life.
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Our Partner Scholarship
As a leader in adult education, we’re committed to providing an education that is flexible for working professionals and adult learners. Through the partnership between your employer and Saint Mary’s, we’re offering a discount (per credit) that allows you to pursue educational and career advancement — while meeting all of life’s obligations.
- Online Bachelor’s Programs | $50 off per credit per semester
- Master’s Programs and Graduate Certificates | $70 off per credit per semester
- Doctoral Programs | $90 off per credit per semester
Advance your career with these benefits.
- Trusted Partner Scholarships
- You and/or your spouse is eligible
- Flexible programs and diverse learning formats, many 100% online
- Access to campus events, career fairs, and networking opportunities
- Renowned curriculum taught by experienced faculty with practical industry knowledge
- Access to a global network of over 58,000 alumni in various fields worldwide
- Career Services Center with multiple resources and job search platforms
Get started
How to use your partner scholarship
For currently enrolled students:
- Please contact Student Central at studentcentral@smumn.edu.
For prospective students:
- Fill out an inquiry form to connect with an admissions counselor.
- If you are interested in more than one program, submit an additional form via the link above.
- If you’re ready to apply, we’re ready to help you get started!
Notes about the Trusted Partner Scholarship
- May not be used concurrently with any other institutional grant scholarship or discount program. The scholarship applies to new students and/or their spouses only and isn’t retroactive. The Office of Admission must verify employment status at the time of application submission.
- Available the semester following the date they self identify as an employee of one of our trusted partners. Please indicate your employer partner when asked on applications or with your admissions counselor.
- Not valid on undergraduate programs offered on our residential Winona Campus.
- Not valid for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Anesthesiology (DNP) program.