In support of continuing education for rural youth, Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC) is proud to sponsor three scholarship programs. To qualify, the applicant, or the applicant’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must be members of NCC.
Applications for the following scholarships are sent to area schools and colleges/universities. Additional applications may be obtained by contacting NCC at 701-568-3331 or 800-245-5884. The scholarship applications are also available below for download
For the fortieth year, NCC is sponsoring this scholarship which was established in honor of the previous manager, Art Johnson, who worked for NCC from 1951 to 1985. NCC will be awarding four (4) $1,000 scholarships in 2025. These scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and students in post-secondary institutions. The application deadline is March 13, 2025.
For the twenty-third year, NCC is pleased to sponsor a technology scholarship. This scholarship was established in honor of previous General Manager Kenneth Lund, Jr., who worked for NCC from 1969 to 2003. NCC will be awarding two (2) $1,000 technology scholarships in 2025. These scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a curriculum studying the telecommunications, information technology, and/or computer technology field at an accredited technical school or a two or four-year college/university. However, all high school seniors and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is March 13, 2025.
For the twenty-first year, NCC is excited to offer students in our local school districts the opportunity to apply for this national scholarship program sponsored by our national affiliate, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association. In 2025, FRS will award thirty (30) $2,500 scholarships to rural high school seniors. This scholarship is not available to students in post-secondary institutions. Local students in our service area will be competing with other rural students in our NTCA region, which includes ND, SD, MN, and WI. Should a student from our service area be selected to receive one of the 30 scholarships, FRS will fund $2,000 and NCC will fund $500. The FRS scholarship is not a scholarship based on grade point average. Rather, it is geared toward seniors who are good, solid students, but may not qualify for scholarship programs based solely upon GPA. Some preference may be given to individuals expressing an interest to return to work in a rural area following graduation. Applications must be submitted online to FRS by February 14, 2025, using this link: https://www.frs.org/scholarships . One application qualifies a student for all applicable available FRS Scholarships.
EXPERIENCE YOUR NATION’S CAPITAL WITH THE 2025 FRS YOUTH TOUR JUNE 3 – 7
All expenses paid by NCC.
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour brings more than 100 high school students and chaperones from rural communities across the nation to Washington, DC, for five days to learn about legislative and agency processes and the important role of broadband services in rural communities. This unique educational experience provides an opportunity to visit Washington, DC, meet high school students from other states, and tour historical sites while also learning about Capitol Hill and the Federal government.
While on the Youth Tour, students and chaperones will:
Who is eligible to participate?
Students must be high school students, age 15, 16 or 17 at the time of the tour. Students age 18 or over are ineligible to attend.
How do I register?
Use the button below to access the application. Applications must be submitted to NCC by February 14, 2025.
Students selected to participate will receive:
The Youth Tour is hosted in partnership with your local telecommunication provider and the Foundation for Rural Service, a non-profit organization whose programs advance rural communities by focusing on education for rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to the challenges of providing broadband services in rural communities. Students participating in the Youth Tour will be under the supervision of chaperones and FRS staff at all times.
Cambry Ankenbauer, daughter of Bryan and Joy Ankenbauer, is a senior at Bowbells High School. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, FBLA, Academic Olympics, Envirothon, Student Council, Pep Club, Yearbook, Drama, and Speech during her four years of high school. Cambry has qualified for state Speech and state Drama for the past three years as well as qualified for nationals in FBLA her senior year. She was selected for the Academic All-State Bronze Team her senior year and has maintained a straight “A” honor roll all four years of high school. Cambry spends her free time reading and building relationships with her friends and family. This fall, Cambry plans to attend Minot State University for a degree in Accounting with the goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
Maddix Falk, daughter of Derick and Megan Falk, is a senior at Ray High School. She is the current president of FBLA, FFA, and Student Council. During her FBLA career, she qualified for nationals three years in a row; even placing 8th in the nation in Broadcast Journalism, and was a Who’s Who representative at state this year. She has also participated in Science and Academic Olympics, as well as volleyball, basketball, and softball. Maddix has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has made Honor Roll all six years of middle and high school. During summer she plays travel softball with the Williston Boom League and enjoys going to NDFU summer camp. Maddix’s plans for this fall are to attend Williston State College to play softball for the Tetons before transferring to UND to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Aliza Schroeder, daughter of Jody and Amy Schroeder, is a senior at Powers Lake High School. She has been involved in many extracurricular activities including volleyball, basketball, track and field, FFA, FBLA, SADD, and Academic Olympics. She acted as an officer in both FBLA (Reporter) and FFA (President). She has sustained a 4.0 throughout high school and has therefore received "high honors" each year. Aliza is very involved in her church and has helped lead worship for many years. In the fall, Aliza plans to attend North Dakota State University where she will pursue degrees in Biology and Comprehensive Science Education.
Billi Fortier, daughter of John and Roxanne Fortier, is a Senior at Divide County High School. She is FFA chapter President, and is involved in activities such as FBLA, National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, pep club, NDHSRA, and 4H. Billi has been on the A honor roll for all four years of high school. She has served as an FFA officer for all four years as well. In her free time, Billi enjoys helping on her family ranch and riding horses. She plans to attend Miles Community College in Miles City to rodeo and get her degree in Animal Science.
Zachary Vigness, son of Wayne & Tiffaney Vigness, is a senior at Divide County High School. He has been involved in Football, Basketball, Track, FBLA, and Pep Club. He has obtained various awards in football, basketball, and track. Zach is a straight-A student and has been on the A honor roll throughout high school. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball with friends. Zach plans to attend the University of North Dakota this fall majoring in Computer Science.
Kyra Bakken, daughter of Grady and Traci Bakken, is a senior at Burke Central High School. She has been involved in extracurricular activities by playing volleyball and bookkeeping for girls’ basketball, as well as spending a few years in track, basketball, speech, drama, band, and choir. Additionally, she holds many leadership roles such as FBLA president, student council vice president, and a student member position of the Burke Central School Board. Kyra has won many awards through FBLA, being a three-time national qualifier. Last year, she received a fourth-place finish at the state speech competition for a persuasive speech she wrote and presented which advocated state funding for the 988-suicide lifeline. Outside of school, Kyra works as a cashier at Lignite Oil Company and plans to earn her CNA license this July. In the fall, she will be attending North Dakota State University to major in Radiologic Sciences, hopefully to enter the diagnostic medical sonography program.
