Skip to main content

NCC Scholarships

Empowering education in our community

Overview

In support of continuing education for rural youth, Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC) is proud to sponsor community 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

Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship

For the thirty-ninth year, NCC is sponsoring this scholarship which was established in honor of previous manager, Art Johnson, who worked for NCC from 1951 to 1985. NCC will be awarding four (4) $1,000 scholarships in 2024. These scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and students in post-secondary institutions. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.

View Application

Kenneth Lund, Jr. Scholarship

For the twenty-second 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 2024. 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. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.

View Application

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship

For the twentieth 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 2024, 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 16, 2024, using this link:   https://www.frs.org/scholarships .

View Application Information

The FRS Staurulakis Family Scholarship

The FRS is proud to announce the thirteenth year of four scholarships funded by Manny and Leo Staurulakis, of John Staurulakis, Inc. (JSI) in honor of their parents, John and Chresanthe Staurulakis and to celebrate 50 years of service to the rural telephone industry. In 2024 JSI will award four (4) $5,000 scholarships to rural high school seniors. This scholarship is not available to students in post-secondary institutions. The application used for the above FRS Scholarship will be used for this scholarship. Students with a focus in the science, math, medicine, or engineering will be automatically considered for these JSI Staurulakis Family Scholarships. With the generous addition of the Staurulakis Family Scholarships, the Foundation will offer nearly $100,000 annually to help rural students attain a higher education. As stated above, applications must be submitted online to FRS by February 16, 2024, using this link:  https://www.frs.org/scholarships .

The application used for the FRS Scholarship will be used for this scholarship.

Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour

EXPERIENCE YOUR NATION’S CAPITAL WITH THE 2024 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:

  • Tour famous historical sites and monuments, including Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial
  • Visit Smithsonian Museums
  • Meet with Federal Communications Commission and Congressional staff
  • Attend a play at the Kennedy Center
  • Build relationships with peers that can last a lifetime
  • Develop leadership skills

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 21, 2024.

Students selected to participate will receive:

  • Four nights hotel accommodations (two students per room)
  • Round trip airfare
  • Three meals a day
  • Bus transportation to all activities
  • Admission to ticketed events
  • Youth Tour t-shirt

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.

View Application

2023 Scholarship Awards

Winners

Brooklyn Fortier

2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner

Brooklyn Fortier, daughter of John and Roxanne Fortier, is a senior at Divide County High School. She is active in school activities such as FFA, FBLA, National Honors Society, band, volleyball, basketball, and track as well as activities outside of school such as 4-H and club volleyball. She has won multiple awards in both volleyball and track. Brooklyn has served as a chapter FFA officer starting her sophomore year as Parliamentarian, Sentinel, and Secretary. She has also won many awards in band, 4-H, FFA, and FBLA, allowing her to attend nationals multiple times in FBLA and once in FFA. Brooklyn is a straight A student and on the "A" honor roll since freshman year. She spends her free time at a local gym to play volleyball or helps her family on the ranch. This fall, Brooklyn plans to attend Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND, majoring in Physical Fitness, and play volleyball at college level.

Shelby Knox

2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner

Shelby Knox, daughter of Donald and Sarah Knox, is a senior at Ray High School. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, FBLA, and student council. She currently serves as FBLA President and Student Council Vice President. During her FBLA career, she qualified for nationals all four years. Shelby has been on the honor roll throughout her junior high and high school years. In the fall, Shelby plans to attend the University of North Dakota for a degree in Kinesiology.

Jule Stenson

2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner

Jule Stenson, daughter of Lee and Tammy Stenson, is a senior at Divide County High School. She has been actively involved in 4H, Band, Basketball, Club Volleyball, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National FFA Organization (FFA), National Honor Society (NHS), Pep Club, Softball, Speech, Student Council, Volleyball, and Yearbook. Through these extracurricular activities and clubs, she has received many awards and honors. Among other leadership positions, Jule served as the Divide County High School Student Council President and was also President of her local FFA Chapter. She also served as Rodeo Royalty for the White Earth Valley Saddle Club. When she isn’t busy with school activities, she enjoys working at the family ranch and competing in open horse shows in the summer. In the fall, Jule plans to attend Williston State College.

Savanna Fredrickson

2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner

Savanna Fredrickson, daughter of Nick & Teddi Fredrickson, is a senior at Powers Lake High School. She has been involved in many extracurricular activities including volleyball, basketball, FBLA, SADD, and Academic Olympics. She acted as an officer in both FBLA (Reporter) and SADD (Vice President). She was very successful in her volleyball and basketball careers where she was named as an All District, All Tournament, and All Region Player in both sports. She has sustained a 4.0 throughout high school and has therefore received “high honors” each year. Savanna has also helped lead worship at her church for many years. She was selected to the Academic All State – Bronze Team her senior year. She spends her free time on adventures with her friends or playing basketball. This fall, Savanna plans to attend the University of Mary’s Nursing Academy where she will be on an exceled rate to achieve her Bachelors of Nursing Degree in 2.6 years.

Lucas Olson

2023 Kenneth Lund Jr. Scholarship Winner

Lucas Olson, son of Ryan Olson and Lisa Olson, attends Ray High School. Lucas was actively involved in basketball and baseball, as well as Academic Olympics and the Science Olympiad. Lucas is also an honor student. During the summer of 2022, Lucas was selected as a finalist for the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Pilgrimage for Youth speech contest in New York City. Outside of school activities, Lucas enjoys going for drives in the country, fishing, hunting, and hanging out with friends. After high school, he plans to attend NDSU to pursue a degree in engineering.

Riley Pederson

2023 Kenneth Lund Jr. Scholarship Winner

Riley Pederson, daughter of Michael and Ronica Pederson, is a senior at Tioga High School. She has been actively involved in many things throughout the community and school. She has participated in choirs at both school and church, and won numerous awards at Regional and State vocal contests, and a four-year award for Northwest International Festival of Music. Riley has held great academic standards and has been on the honor roll all through high school. She has been an active volunteer throughout the community, helping at the Tioga Theater, the Tioga 1st Lutheran Church, and the Tioga Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. Riley plans on attending Williston State College for two years before transferring to the University of North Dakota to major in Civil Engineering and Computer Science for Software Engineering.

We can help

Donation/Sponsorship Requests