The North Dakota United Foundation is happy to announce that applications for 2020 scholarships and grants are all open now! This year’s applications can now be filled out entirely online. Visit the link below to apply for any of nine scholarship categories and two grant opportunities. All scholarship applications are due March 1, 2020.
All scholarship applications are due March 1, 2020.
Click Here to apply
1. NDU Member/Dependent: Available to an active member or dependent of an NDU active member who is pursuing post-secondary education in any field of study including vocational, associate or bachelor degree program. Multiple individual $750 scholarships may be awarded each year.
2. NDU Education Scholarship: Available to a student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education. Multiple individual $750 scholarships may be awarded each year.
3. Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship: Available to an outstanding undergraduate student who is preparing for a career in special education. This scholarship was established by his family, in memory of Bill Oban a long-time special education teacher and administrator, legislator and Association member. The endowment will fund one scholarship of at least $500 annually.
4. Mary Cripps Special Education: Available to either an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing initial or advanced training in special education. Initial funding was provided by the family and friends of Mary Cripps, a Grand Forks Special Education teacher. The endowment will fund one scholarship of at least $500 annually.
5. Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship program to assist individual English, Math or Science Instructors: The purpose is to assist individual English, math or science instructors to improve their qualifications by attending summer school or engaging in graduate level courses during the regular academic year, online courses or extension courses that are part of a graduate program. The Anstrom endowment was funded by Decker Anstrom to honor the work his parents, Ron and Ann, did as public school teachers. The amount and number of awards will depend on the earnings of the endowment fund.
6. The NDU Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship will be awarded to a minority preparing to teach. At least two $750 scholarships will be awarded annually. The Foundation will give special consideration to a student attending a tribal college. Funding for this scholarship comes from a special grant from North Dakota United.
7. Cindy & Gary Rath Education Scholarship is available to an NDU student member or a North Dakota resident who is a student NEA/AFT member in another state who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education. A preference will be given to a student attending Dickinson State University or Valley City State University. Multiple individual $500 scholarships may be awarded each year. The funding for this scholarship comes from an endowment created at the time of Cindy’s death to honor the role of education in the professional careers of Cindy and Gary Rath.
8. Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship program has been established to assist individual NDU members improve their qualifications by attending summer school or engaging in graduate level course during the regular academic year, online courses or extension courses that are part of a graduate program. This scholarship is funded by Horace Mann in recognition of NDU members working in the public schools and public service in North Dakota. The amount and number of awards will depend on the funds available each year.
9. Halstenson Family Music Scholarship Fund is available to a NDU member who possesses a current license to teach music in a North Dakota public school and is pursuing a graduate degree in music. While the individual is pursuing a graduate degree, the award may be used to
participate in credit or noncredit educational opportunities to improve his/her K-12 music content knowledge and teaching skills. These opportunities are not required to be part of the master’s degree course content, but an experience that would certainly enhance the teacher’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. lndividuals must have at least one year of full-time teaching experience and indicate a desire to continue teaching music in North Dakota to be considered for this scholarship. The amount and number of awards shall be determined by the Foundation Board each year.
awards & grants
The NDU Foundation is proud to present special awards and grants to our members each year, for the continued development of their professional skills and knowledge.
The Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award has a rolling application process and may be submitted at any time. The 2020 NDU Workplace Innovation Grant’s application is due March 1, 2020.
1. Upon his retirement as NDEA Executive Director, Joseph A. Westby established the Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award in recognition of Westby’s 45 years of leadership in education, including 32 years within the Association. Westby recognized the need to encourage members and staff to pursue leadership training. Upon his retirement, friends and colleagues in North Dakota and across the country provided the initial funds for the award. Westby himself, made a number of contributions, to the principal of the fund. Upon his death in January 2015, the family dedicated memorials to continue to build the principal of the fund. As Westby stated, the continued success of the Association is dependent up developing its future leaders at the local level and amongst the staff.
The earnings of the endowment will allow for at least one $500 award annually.
2. NDU Workplace Innovation Grant: Available for an individual member or a group of members to implement service delivery innovation to improve public education or public service in North Dakota. Multiple $500 grants may be awarded each year.
Click Here to apply
The Anstrom scholarship gave me the ability to pursue the field of science in a totally different realm. It, along with NDU’s support at a local and state level, made it possible for me to get my Master’s of Science, and develop a deeper understanding of science, which I pass on everyday in my classes.
I am so very thankful that North Dakota United helped fund my training in Collaborative Problem Solving. I was able to attend a three-day training at Massachusetts General in Boston, facilitated by Dr. Stuart Ablon. It was a life-changing experience. I’ve been using this approach with multiple students this year with much success. I hope to become certified so I can train others in the state in the near future.
The North Dakota United Foundation has allowed me to pursue my master’s degree, and in doing so, given the students at Hatton High School the opportunity to have college-level math courses offered in our building. The NDU Foundation has not only made a huge difference in my life, but also in the lives of my students!
