Professional Education Scholarships

Each year, the Department of Professional Education awards approximately thirty-five scholarships ranging from $400 to $2,000 to elementary and secondary education students. Applications are usually available beginning in January and can be picked up in the Clinical Experiences Office, EA 319. Applications are due in February. Screening of applications will take place after the due date. Scholarships are awarded in April. Do not apply if you will graduate the following summer.

Students receiving departmental scholarship 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:
Mr. James R. Brouwer, 218-755-3733
Or
Dr. Kathleen Sonsteng, 218-755-4613

Requirements for ALL Applicants:

1. You must have at least sophomore status as of Fall 09 to apply, although most of the scholarships require junior and/or senior status.  The Ray Nelson scholarship is one exception beling 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 2008 semester. Some scholarships require higher GPAs, but the selection committee will match your application to one of those.
3. Obtain and submit a letter of recommendation. The letter should come from an instructor that you have taken at least one class with. DO NOT request a letter from the scholarship coordinators, Mr. Brouwer or Dr. Sonsteng.
4. Submit a typed or word-processed two-page paper describing your personal vision of the kind of teacher that you hope to become.
5. Include an unofficial transcript from BSU with your application. If you have attended other institutions of higher learning, include those transcripts as well. DO NOT HAVE THE TRANSCRIPTS SENT DIRECTLY TO US because they will not be accepted.
6. Submit a typed or word processed one page paper describing your financial need for scholarship assistance. BE SPECIFIC.
7. Complete the scholarship application.
8. All completed application materials MUST be submitted in a paper folder with your information three-ringed paper-holed punched into the center clips. ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED DIFFERENTLY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Note: Although the scholarship money is usually divided between the two semesters of the academic year, recipients who will finish in Fall 2009 with their student teaching may have all of the funds awarded during one semester.

Preprimary Speciality or Early Childhood majors should contact Dr. Dan Gartrell or Dr. Kathleen Sonsteng regarding the Marie Biship Early Childhood Scholarship.

Scholarship Application

Scholarships and Requirements

Boris and Caroline Andrican Scholarship

1. 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.
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.

Marie Bishop Scholarship

1. Elementary education (early childhood) major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 with demonstrated financial need.
3. NOTE: Contact Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Dr. Dan Gartrell.

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

1. 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. Chistianson Scholarship

1. Ementary education major.
2. Must have a GPA of 2.50 or higher.
3. Emphasis in Art, Music or Physical Education.

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.

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. 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 has demonstrated ethnic cultural diversity.
4. Interview/consult with Dr. Annie B. Henry on selection.

Margaret H. Johnson Scholarship

1. Education major.
2. Must have at least a s.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, Visual Arts, or Mass Communication major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 2.50 and a GPA of 3.00 in your education courses.

McKee/Havumaki Scholarship

1. Secondary education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

Ray Nelson Scholarship

1. Freshman majoring in education.
2. Must have a minimum GPA of 2.50.
3. Demonostrated financial need.

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. Elementary education major.
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25 and an elementary education major GPA of at least 3.50.

Theola Marsh Smith Scholarship

1. Elementary 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. 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. Demonostrated financial need.