Professional Education Scholarships

The Professional Education Department has approximately 28 scholarship endowment funds.  Last academic year (2011-2012), 33 scholarships ranging from $200 to $1,250 from 22 endowment funds were awarded to elementary and secondary education students. For the 2012-2013 academic year, it is anticipated that approximately 30 scholarship will be awarded.

Applications, instructions, and other materials for the scholarships can be picked up in the Clinical Experiences Office, EA 326.  Applications are due February 10, 2012.  Return completed scholarship application folders to the Clinical Experiences Office, EA 326.  Applications will not be accepted after this date.  Applications will not be eligible for any scholarship if requirements are not specifically met.  Failure to follow directions exactly will result in disqualification.  Awardees will be notified by letter prior to April 1, 2012.  Awardees are expected to write a thank you letter to the endowment donor.

Post baccalaureate students are not eligible for awards.  Do not apply if you will graduate by Summer 2012.

Students receiving departmental scholarships in the past do not automatically receive a scholarship again. Applicants must apply each year with the same potential opportunity.

Questions about Professional Education Scholarships can be directed to:
Dr. Janine Wahl, 218-755-3733
Dr. Kathleen Sonsteng, 218-755-4613
Pat Neurauter, 218-755-2930

Scholarship Requirements

1. You must have at least sophomore status as of Fall 2012 to apply, although most of the scholarships require junior and/or senior status.  The Ray Nelson scholarship is one exception being limited to an entering freshman.
2. You must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 as of the end of the Fall 2011 semester. Some scholarships require higher GPAs, but the selection committee will match your application to one of those.

Note: Although the scholarship money is usually divided between the two semesters of the academic year, recipients who will finish in Fall 2012 with their student teaching may have all of the funds awarded during one semester.

Scholarships and Requirements

Boris and Caroline Andrican Scholarship

1. Junior elementary education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.
3. Preference is given to a graduate of Hibbing High School, then to a resident of the Minnesota Iron Range.

Grant Bateman Scholarship

1. Elementary education major, from Minnesota with financial need.
   
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

Bemidji Area Retention Scholarship

1. Elementary or secondary education major, music or science.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.
3. Preference given to students living in a 40-mile radius of Bemidji.
4. Preference given to single parents or Native Americans.

Evelyn W. Berg Scholarship

1. Education major.
2. Graduate of a Minnesota high school.
3. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

M. Fern Birnstihl Scholarship

1. Freshman majoring in Visual Arts, Music, or Education.

Marie Bishop Scholarship

1. Junior or senior Early Childhood or Elementary education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

"Dr. B." -- W.F. Bornschlegl Scholarship

1. Junior or senior education major.
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.
3. Must have a financial need.

John and Anne Brady Scholarship

1. Elementary, secondary or special education major.
2. Have an identifiable financial need.

Bertha A. Christianson Scholarship

1. Sophomore, junior or senior elementary education major.
2. Must have a GPA of 2.50 or higher.
3. Demonstrated interest in Art, Music or Physical Education.

Donald W. and Bernice M. Churchill Memorial Scholarship

1. Junior or senior education major.
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

AL Clark Scholarship

1. Junior or senior Science or Math education major.
2. Preference given to Laporte High School graduate.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International/Hazel Shimmin Scholarship

1. Female education major who will be student teaching.
2. Financial need.
3. Must have a minimum GPA of 2.50.
4. Preference given to students who demonstrate volunteerism.

Bill & Margie Forseth Family Scholarship

1. Math or science education major.

James and Marilyn Heltzer Education Scholarship

1. Education major.
2. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
3. Preference given to a graduate of Bemidji High School. 

Annie B. Henry African American Scholarship

1. Junior or senior elementary or secondary education major.
2. Must have a GPA of 2.80 or higher.
3. Preference given to African American student; then to a student who is committed to and has demonstrated promoting ethnic cultural diversity.

Margaret H. Johnson Scholarship

1. Sophomore, junior or senior education major.
2. Must have at least a s 2.5 GPA.

William F. Kirtland Memorial Scholarship

1. Elementary education major.
2. Demonstrated financial need.
3. Short essay entitled "Why I Chose to Major in Education".

Roy & Eva Lind Scholarship

1. Elementary education major.
   
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.
   

McKee/Havumaki Scholarship

1. Freshman, junior or senior education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

Ray Nelson Scholarship

1. Freshman majoring in education with preference to US citizen.
   
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 2.50.
3. Demonstrated financial need.

Ruth Ouverson Early Childhood Education Scholarship

1. Junior or senior Early Childhood education major.
   
2. Must have a GPA of 3.0
   
3. Letter of recommendation supporting applicant's experience working with young children.
   
4. Statement/essay describing "your passion for working with young children (ages birth to five years) listing volunteer or work experience related to this passion."

Patty Jean Willson Persell Scholarship

1. Visual Arts or Early Childhood education major, alternating annually.
2. Must qualify for financial aid.
3. Must have a 3.00 GPA.
4. Essay question:  Why you chose this major and how you plan to use your education to positively impact your community through your chosen vocation.
5. Must provide your teaching philosophy (one-paged typed) and a lesson plan.

Ernest Plath Memorial Scholarship

1. Junior or senior education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

Professional Education Department Scholarship

1. Elementary or secondary education major.
   
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

RDA Rasmussen Scholarship

1. Senior education major who will be student teaching next semester.
   
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Theola Marsh Smith Scholarship

1. Education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.
3. Must be a member or new initiate of Kappa Delta Pi.
4. Must have been an active participant in a related teacher education activity such as a teaching associate or a volunteer worker.

Willie Stittsworth Scholarship

1. Junior or senior elementary education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

Harvey I. Westrom Education Scholarship

1. Secondary science or mathematics education major.
2. Two scholarships--one to a junior and one to a senior.
3. Minium GPA of 3.5 or higher.
4. Demonstrated financial need.