SCHOLARSHIPS
Stop in to the School Counseling Office for available scholarships!! We can point you in the right direction!
Websites to search for scholarships:
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
**Please remember that these are Nationwide scholarship sites. You are entering a large pool of applicants. It is wise to apply to many scholarships, but best to devote more time to local scholarships as the applicant pool will be much smaller.
**Be cautious of scholarship scams. Never pay to apply for a scholarship, and never pay an entity to search for scholarships for you.
The Aitkin Dollars for Scholars scholarship program is one that all Aitkin Seniors should apply for. The application will be made available to students after the Christmas break. Please note that if the application is filled out correctly and on time, each applicant is guaranteed scholarship money (if conditions to receive the award are met).
AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
-AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS: With unprecedented demand for pilots, technicians, and crew-members now is a great time to enter aviation. The scholarships listed through this link https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/learn-to-fly/aviation-scholarships can help you achieve your aviation goals. Deadlines vary for each scholarship.
DUE in March 2020:
-SHPE-TC SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships will be awarded to MN students of Hispanic or Latino heritage with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who is planning to earn a degree focused on science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). More information and applications are available at http://www.shpetwincities.org/scholarships.html. Deadline is March 29, 2020.
-Agricultural Career Scholarship: Open to AHS seniors who intend to pursue a career in an agricultural related field. Applications available online at AHA Agricultural Career Scholarship Deadline: March 31st.
-Closuit Family Scholarship: The scholarship is intended for an Aitkin High School graduate who is pursuing a career in the medical field, (Physician, Nurse, RN, LPN, PHN, Physical Therapist, Medical Technologist, Radiologist, etc.) Applications available online at Closuit Family Scholarship PDF. Deadline: March 31st
-Elmer & Ethel Franzen Scholarship: For AHS seniors who will be attending Dunwoody College. If no applications from students attending Dunwoody are received the Franzen Scholarship Committee will prioritize applications by: students pursuing a nursing career, then students seeking a post-high school education. Nursing and post-high school awards are 80% scholarship and 20% loan. Applications available online at Elmer & Ethel Franzen Scholarship PDF. Deadline: March 31st.
-Ester Warner Memorial Scholarship: Open to any high school senior pursuing a degree in education. Application is available online at Ester Warner Memorial Scholarship PDF. Deadline: March 31st.
- J & J Wickstrom Scholarship: Open to all AHS seniors. You will need to complete an essay on the topic: “What Palisade means to you and what your future schooling plans are.” PDF application instruction Deadline: March 31
-Members Cooperative Credit Union, 2020 Future Leaders Scholarship Application: Open to all HS seniors planning to attend an accredited 2- or 4-year college. Qualifications and applications can be downloaded from https://www.membersccu.org/academic-scholarships or paper applications can be picked up in the counseling office. Deadline: March 31
DUE in April 2020:
- McGregor Area Clothing Closet Scholarship: Two (2) $500 scholarships per year to students in the McGregor and Aitkin (limited to students in the Palisade area) school districts. Students must attain a grade level of “C” or above. Applications available online at McGregor Area Clothing Closet Scholarship.pdf Deadline: *April 1, 2020
-Palisade Fire Department Scholarship: To be eligible you must live within the Palisade Fire Department Protection Area and be a high school graduate, and plan to attend any type of post-high school education. Applications available online at Palisade Fire Department Scholarship PDF. Deadline is April 1
-Hibbing Community College Foundation General Scholarship: Amount of award varies per scholarship. Must be attending Hibbing Community College after high school. Seniors may apply. https://hibbing.edu/pdfs/scholarship-app-2020-2021.pdf. Deadline is April 1
NEW - Superintendent Scholarship: Open to Aitkin High School seniors planning on attending a technical program, community college or 4 year school after graduating from high school. Students must be involved in 3 or more activities in school/community which include any club, activity (within school or outside school, ie church youth groups) or sports team, have demonstrated leadership abilities during their high school years, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applications are online Superintendent Scholarship PDF. Deadline: April 1st.
-Aitkin Women of Today Outstanding Young Adult Scholarship: Open to students in grades 11 and 12 in recognition of outstanding leadership and community service. Candidates may have shown leadership and service through school, extracurricular clubs and activities, sports and volunteer opportunities. Application and qualifications are online at Aitkin Women of Today 20 or contact chair Dawn Wilke at 218-838-0966. Deadline: postmarked by April 4, 2020.
-2020 MMBA Building Industry Scholarship: Open to any high school senior going into the trades or a college to major in project or construction management. Paper application available in the school counseling office or on line at: http://midmnba.org . Deadline: April 13, 2020.
-2020 Mid-MN Builders Association Scholarship: Open to MMBA members, employee of an MMBA member, spouse, a graduating high school student, and/or a recent high school graduate of an MMBA member. Paper application available in the school counseling office or online at: http://midmnba.org. Deadline: April 13, 2020.
-2020 Building Trades Scholarship: Open to a graduating high school student or recent high school student graduate going into the building industry. Paper application available in the school counseling office or online at: http://midmnba.org. Deadline: April 13, 2020
The Alexis Ann Hasser Memorial Scholarship: The applicant must be a graduating 2020 high school senior, must be attending college for the first time in the fall of 2020, must be enrolled in either a two or four-year accredited educational institution, should be studying either a Social Work or Psychology major, and agrees to use any scholarship funds awarded for tuition and/or fees only. Applications are online at The Alexis Ann Hasser Memorial PDF Deadline is April 13th.
Aitkin County 4-H Council Scholarship. The Aitkin 4-H Council offers $500 scholarships to 4-H members graduating from high school who will be attending a post-secondary institution in the year following graduation. Applications are online at https://www3.extension.umn.edu/sites/default/files/download/aitkin-county-scholarship-requirements-and-form.pdf or in the counseling office. Deadline is April 15th.
-HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION CAREER & TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM This scholarship is for seniors who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity seeking training in a career or technical field. Deadline is April15 and students may apply online at https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/about-our-scholarship-programs/technical/
-Minnesota Benefit Association Scholarship: Open to public employees, elected officials, or their family members in the State of Minnesota. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, vocational goals, employment history, community involvement and an original essay. Applications available in the School Counseling Office or online at: https://www.minnesotabenefitassociation.org/benefit-programs-services/youth-programs/scholarship-program/. Deadline: Postmarked by April 15, 2020
-Steve Kurtz Aviation Scholarship- EAA Chapter 965 Open to all seniors enrolled at AHS and planning on attending a post-secondary school to study a career in the aviation industry. Applications are available at Steve Kurtz Aviation Scholarship PDF. Some aviation careers: Aerospace Engineers, Aerospace Operations Technicians, Aircraft Fueler, Air Traffic Controllers, Aircraft Equipment Mechanics and Technicians, Airline Pilots, Flight Attendant, and Ground Attendant. Deadline is April 15.
-Aitkin Dollars for Scholars: All seniors who are seeking post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for an Aitkin Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. Apply online at Dollars For Scholars - Aitkin Area Dollars for Scholars. Directions are listed here: Aitkin Dollars for Scholars Student Instructions.pdf Deadline: April 20. Seniors MUST attend the awards night on May 6 in order to receive their scholarship!
-Minnesota AFL-CIO Scholarships: Open to HS seniors who are a union member or a dependent of a union member affiliated with the Minnesota AFL-CIO, have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, and attend a post-secondary institution within the state of Minnesota. Applications available in the school counseling office or online at https://www.mnaflcio.org/about/scholarships-awards. Deadline: April 30, 2020
DUE in June 2020:
Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship - Open to seniors whose parents are members of a labor union. Applicants must be a Racial/ethnic group member (defined on the application) and accepted into MNSCU (Mn State Colleges and Universities) institution; minimum 2.0 GPA, enrolling in college full time. Note: MnSCU includes many 2 and 4 year college in MN! Apply online at http://nelliestone.org/scholarship-program. Deadline is June 1st
-HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP - Sponsored by Nurse.org
Based in Bellevue, WA, Nurse.org is seeking applications for the Healthcare Leaders Scholarship https://nurse.org/healthcare-leaders/. To be eligible for the $1000 award, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, be pursuing a degree related to healthcare, and submit a 600-1000 word essay by June 15th. Scholarship is offered once a year and award is paid directly to the student. See website above for more information. There are many more nursing scholarships available on this website as well.
🔶🔶Scholarships for JUNIORS ONLY:
-MN Association of Townships Scholarship: http://mntownships.org/about-mat/minnesota-association-of-townships-scholarship-program/ Qualifications: Open to all MN 11th graders. Must write a 450-500 word essay. Submission details available on the website. Deadline: May 1, 2020.
-TRIPLE-IMPACT COMPETITOR SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship is for high school junior student-athletes. More information is available online at www.positivecoach.org/scholarships Deadline is May 31, 2020.
Loan opportunity for Aitkin High Graduates:
*The Hans and Thora Petraborg Educational Trust Fund: This educational trust fund was created to memorialize long-time local residents, Hans and Thora Petraborg in their strong belief in higher education and the future of Aitkin. The main requirement, aside from being an Aitkin High School graduate, is that the interest free loans go to deserving students who might not otherwise be able to pursue higher education without such assistance. To apply:fill out the Hans and Thora Petraborg Educational Trust Fund Loan Application and State of Borrower Responsibility form-Petraborg Scholarship Application. Return to the Counseling Office or mail to: Aitkin Public Schools, District Office, 306 2nd Street NW, Aitkin, MN 56431 no later than the Deadlines: May 31st for July 31 distribution and December 1 for December distribution. For any questions or inquiries, please contact Jeanne Ince, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at 218-927-7106.