ARE YOU THE NEXT MISS MINNESOTA?

When you compete within the Miss America Organization umbrella, you not only have the opportunity to win scholarships to further for your education, you will make lasting friendships and have memories that last a lifetime in this life-changing experience.

Miss Minnesota has the opportunity to represent our state at Miss America. Wearing the Miss Minnesota crown or the crown of a local titleholder allows a young woman access to mentors in her field. It is a year of opportunity for many young women who find doors open that they may have never imagined. It is a chance to use her talents and passions to do something important for their communities and bring meaning to their lives. 

AM I ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE?
To become a candidate in Miss Minnesota, a candidate must first win a local preliminary competition to compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent.

Never Before 
​Competed in any National Finals of the Miss America Organization.

Miss Age Requirements (Must not be born earlier than 1995 for the 2020 state competition in June)
(1) must be at least eighteen (18) years of age as of July 31st in the calendar year of the State competition in which she competes
(2) Must be a high school graduate or equivalent by July 31st in the calendar year of the State competition in which she competes
(3) Must not be older than twenty-five (25) years of age as of the last day in the calendar year of the State competition in which she competes (December 31st)

For the avoidance of doubt, a contestant cannot turn twenty-six (26) years of age at any time during the calendar year in which she will compete at state.

For ages 13 to 17 year old high school graduates, as well as 18 year old non-graduates as of July 31st, these candidates must compete at MAOTeen level.

MISS Candidates must be high school graduates or have passed the high school equivalency examination (G.E.D.) by the date of the finals of the State Pageant of the year in which they would be eligible to compete in the National Finals of the Miss America Pageant.

Residence
New Rules for Residency (9/19):
1) Reducing the six-month residency requirement to thirty (30) days prior to a local competition and ninety (90) days prior to a state competition without locals;
2) Eliminating the requirement to complete at least one semester and allowing college/university acceptance and enrollment to physically attend classes; and
3) Reducing the twenty-six weeks of full-time employment to sixty (60) days of continuous full-time employment.  

Citizenship
Must be a citizen of the United States of America at the time she enters her first competition.

Education
Must be a high school graduate or have successfully completed the GED testing program for high school equivalency or have successfully completed the academic requirements for entry into a college/university degree program by July 30th immediately preceding the National Finals.

Additional Requirements can be found in candidate local contract.

Minnesota Awards Over $200,000 in SCHOLARSHIPS

Did you know the Miss America Organization is the largest provider of scholarships exclusively for women in the world?
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​Each year, in addition to the national organization, state and local organizations makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.​​​ In Minnesota, the scholarships are provided by passionate sponsors and volunteers who make this organization run. Many different types of scholarships are available at the local, state and national levels of competition, based on talent, competition performance or field of study. You already start winning scholarships when you compete in a local competition.
  • Cash Scholarships
  • Awards & Prizes
  • Contributors
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Scholarships awarded reflect achievements of a candidate during the competition, but many other scholarship opportunities are available to women who compete at the local and state levels, whether or not they win the a local or the Miss Minnesota title. 
Cash scholarships mean that the scholarship is paid directly to the winner's student loan or tuition bill, making the award exempt from taxes. Therefore, these awards don't require that a student attend a specific college or university to benefit from the award. In addition, there are a number of in-kind scholarships and preparation support that is offered, making the competition effort worthwhile for every young woman who competes.

​Local Competition Scholarships & Awards
​Each candidate who wins a local competition wins at least a $500 scholarship, crown, sash and entry fee to the state competition ($400 value). Additional scholarship awards are given at each competition. These awards vary so check with the Local Executive Director about opportunities that are available at each competition.

Miss Minnesota State Competition Scholarships
Winner 2019 $10,000
1st Runner Up $2,000
2nd Runner Up $1,300
3rd Runner Up $1,000
4th runner up $700
Semi-finalists 6 each $350
Total: $17, 100

Special Competition Awards
Preliminary Talent Winners (2 @ 500) $1,000
Evening Wear/Social Impact Statement (2 @ $250) $500
Rookie Talent $250
CMN Miracle Maker Award $100
Non-Finalist Talent $200
#FightLikeGina STEM Scholarship $500
The LOVE of Giving Scholarship $1000
Hostess Spirit Award $250
Miss Congeniality  $250
Maurice's Scholarship $1,000
Producer's Award $300
Sister to Sister Legacy Award - $500
Sister to Sister Rookie Award - $250
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Miss America Scholarships & Awards
Miss America Community Service Scholarship $1,000
Miss America Academic Scholarship $1,000
Total Scholarships provided by Miss America $2,000 

​In-Kind Scholarships & Awards
​Tuition-Free Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship for Miss Minnesota
Each Local Titleholder Receives a MN North Central US Region Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship worth $1,995 - $55,860
*Sherman College of Chiropractic - $119,000
Total In-Kind Scholarships $174,860
​​*Restrictions apply to receive this award.

Awards & Prizes for the Winner of the Miss Minnesota Title

Photos by Paula Preston Photographer
Official Crown, Crown Box, Crown Pin 
Bouquet of Flowers
Miss Minnesota Trophy
Trip to Miss America Pageant
Trip to Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition
Additional awards have included:
Wardrobe Allowance 
Official Crown Portrait, hair and makeup
Dale Carnegie Training
Paperwork Prep
Nutrition Guidance and Fitness Training
Media Training
Airbrush Tanning
Teeth Whitening
Luggage
Spa Package
Gas allowance
Custom Jacket, Tee, Leggings, Jersey
Eyelash Boost
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Sponsorship & Scholarship Contributors 

Kwik Trip
Dale Carnegie
​Sherman College of Chiropractic
Legacy Group Consulting
Image on Camera
Sister to Sister – Former Miss Minnesota's
Evening Wear/Social Impact Scholarship Donations
Morgan Berg
Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff Scholarships
Dr. Glenn Harman Scholarship
Karla Boettcher & Jacquie Jenkins – Hostess Spirit Award
Jo Bender – Miss Minnesota Scholarship Contributor
Shelly & Marvin Bartlett – 1st & 2nd runner up Scholarship Contributor
Bailey Sorvig Richert
Katherine Majkrzak
Gina Cavanagh Family
Nichole Fairbanks
Kathy Shellum
Shelly Johnson
Luke & Brenda Merchlewitz
Lori Volz
Lauren (Green) & Ted Nikolis Preliminary Talent Award
Anonymous donors

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I Eligible to Compete?
Refer to eligibility information at the top of this page.
What are the Entry Fees
Miss America competitions do not require an entry fee. 
Instead, each local competition candidate is required to raise a minimum $100 for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), the national platform of the Miss America Organization.  After you have competed in 4 local competitions in a year, you are not required to raise more money to enter more local competitions, although top fundraisers are awarded additional scholarships.

If you win a local title, the local pays the entry fee to the state competition. Candidates at the state level raise an additional $250, those who go to Miss America raise an additional $1,000.

Check with your local competition to see what support is available for fundraising. You are expected to help raise the money, but it isn't an expectation that you personally pay for it. 

Funds raised support local hospitals as well as scholarships through the Miss America Organization.
What does Miss Minnesota Do?
​​After Miss Minnesota is selected she embarks on her 'year of service.' As a spokesperson and advocate, Miss Minnesota travels throughout the state, addressing diverse audiences, increasing awareness and promoting her chosen platform.
What's the benefit of Competing?
​Alumna of the local and state competitions have gone on to become leaders in their field. Whether or not you win a title, the experience and camaraderie propel many young women to success. 
If I don't win, can I still earn Scholarships?
​Yes! See the many cash scholarships listed above.
What are the Competition Categories?
Single Night State & All Local Competition Scoring
35% Private Interview 
15% Onstage Interview/Social Impact Pitch
35% Talent 
15% Red Carpet (formerly known as evening gown)
How Do I get Started?
​Go to the Local Competitions and find a date and location that works for you. Contact information for each local competition is found by clicking on the crown for their competition. If you are unsure about which would be right for you, click on the Contact Us link below and include your birthday, where you live/work/go to school, and you will be referred to a competition contact.
Ready to compete? Download your paperwork to get started!
​This paperwork is the same for any of the local competitions in the state of Minnesota.

​YES, I WANT TO COMPETE!

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​Interested in competing? Awesome! Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
You must win a local title before you can compete at the Miss Minnesota pageant.