Edward O. Nesheim Memorial Scholarship

The Edward O. Nesheim Memorial Scholarship was created by his daughter, Sonja Adahl, in
2008 to honor the memory of her late father. Information about Edward O. Nesheim is available
from The American Legion Foundation, Department of North Dakota at the above address, or on
line at NDLegion.org.
The Scholarship may be used at any post secondary institution of higher education in North
Dakota granting Associate or higher degrees. Application forms are available from the above
address in West Fargo and, when completed, must be returned to the same. Application deadline
is April 1 of the year the scholarship is to be awarded. Recipients of the Nesheim Scholarship
may apply for renewal upon satisfactory completion of the previous academic year with a
minimum 2.5 GPA.
Eligibility requirements:
1. Must be a legal resident of North Dakota and a direct descendent (child, grandchild or
great-grandchild) of a U.S. veteran who served honorably. Proof of service and
lineage are required.
2. Must have maintained a secondary school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
3. Must be pursuing a degree in some phase of Agriculture, Human Nutrition, or
Medicine (Medical Dr, PA, Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy or Chiropractic.
4. Must be a High School senior or a previous Nesheim Scholarship recipient now
attending an institution of higher education.
Application:
The applicant must
a. Submit the completed application form
b. Include and attach an original essay (500 to 750 words, typed, double spaced,
12 pt font with 1″ margins) to address the following issues
1. What are your educational and career goals?
2. How do you plan to accomplish those goals and what part will your education
play in attaining those goals?
3. Where do you plan to continue your education and why did you choose that
institution?
4. Briefly discuss your secondary education (coursework, extracurricular
activities, sports, jobs, volunteerism, etc) and how you feel they may or
may not have helped you prepare for your choice of college, your life and
your career.
c. Provide proof of acceptance into a post secondary institution in North Dakota
that grants Associate or higher degrees
d. Include a high school transcript
e. Include 3 letters of reference, all from non-family members, and one of which
must be from a U.S. veteran who served honorably
f. Provide proof of financial need from the educational institution to be attended
Notification:
The recipient(s) of the Nesheim Memorial Scholarship will be notified by June 15 or at
the June Department Convention in the year in which the scholarship is awarded.
Selection process:
The American Legion, department of North Dakota or their designee(s) will consider all
applications and select the recipient(s) based on past and evidence of future academic
success, recommendations of references and the applicant’s original essay. The
Department of North Dakota reserves the right to not award the Nesheim Scholarship if
there no applicants are deemed qualified.
Award:
The scholarship award will be determined by the Department of North Dakota but is
intended to be $500 per year. The recipient has two (2) years to use the award which will
be sent to the recipients chosen institution along with instructions to utilize one-half of
the award for each of 2 semesters. The scholarship is to be utilized only if satisfactory
progress is made towards attaining the chosen degree. If the recipient withdraws from
school or does not show satisfactory progress, the award will be forfeit. Scholarship
funds are to be used only to defray the costs of the student’s education (i.e. tuition, books
and supplies, room and board, fees and equipment required for the field of study).

2009 Hattie K. Tedrow Memorial Fund Scholarship

Eligibility: The recipient must be a high school senior, a resident of the State of North Dakota, and a direct descendant (child, grandchild, etc.) of a veteran with honorable service in the U.S. military, and intends to further their education.  Proof of acceptance to an accredited school of higher education is requred at the time of application for the scholarship.

Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program

Byrd Scholars are selected on the basis of demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and promise of continued academic achievement. Leadership, co-curricular involvement, and community and public service activities are also considered. The program will provide selected scholars with a $1,500 scholarship renewable for up to the first four years of study at an institute of higher education of their choice. At least one scholarship will be awarded in each of the Governor’s Eight Planning Regions.

This program is highly competitive; historically, North Dakota winners have had ACT scores above 30. Accordingly, school counselors and principals should be consulted regarding the probability of application success of students whose ACT scores are significantly lower than 30. The application process usually opens in late February and applications are due to the Department of Public Instruction in late April.

U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program

Purpose:

The U.S. Senate Youth Program, a nationwide college scholarship program, was designed to promote student leaders awareness, participation and interest in government. Administered by the individual states, it is funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Any high school junior or senior student (irrespective of nationality, race, color, creed, first language, sex, sexual orientation or financial need) is eligible for the program provided s/he has not previously been a delegate and is currently serving in an ELECTED capacity in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations such as:

• Class Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer)
• Student Council (Representatives)
• Student Advisory Committee(Representative to the School Committee)
• Student Advisory Council (Local, Regional or State Level)
• School Council (Student Representatives)
• Statewide Officer (i.e. President of Boys State)

1. Student must be a PERMANENT RESIDENT of the United States, currently a junior or senior enrolled in a public or private secondary school located in the state in which either one or both of his/her parents or guardian legally resides. A student attending a school which is located in a state other than the state of legal residence of either one of such student’s parents or guardians is not eligible.

1. Other attributes:

• Leadership ability.
• High scholastic standing. Demonstrated ability to achieve.
• Clear speech and logical thought processes.
• Community involvement. Participation in a wide selection of activities on and off campus — music, sports, arts, politics.

Scholarship:

Two $2,000 college scholarships will be awarded. Each winner will also be provided with an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will meet with the North Dakota Senate delegation and other government leaders.