Scholarships & Grants

The ND United Foundation accepts scholarship applications annually from December through March. Scholarships are available to North Dakota United members, including Student NDU and NDU-Retired members, as well as the dependents of all ND United members.

Available Scholarships & Grants

Undergraduate Scholarships – Any field of study:

• North Dakota United Member/Dependent Scholarship – Available to an active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing post-secondary education in any field of study including vocational, associate or bachelor degree program.
• NDU Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship – Awarded to a minority student in any post-secondary trade, vocational or undergraduate degree program. The Foundation will give special consideration to a student attending a tribal college.

Undergraduate Scholarships – Education degree:

• North Dakota United Education Scholarship – Available to a student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education.
• Mary Cripps Special Education Scholarship – Available to either an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing initial or advanced training in special education.

• Howard Loftesnes Memorial Education Scholarship – Awarded to a student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education as a reading literacy specialist or a similar field of study. Preference shall be given to applicants who attended or are employed at Simle Middle School in Bismarck.
• Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship – Available to an outstanding undergraduate student who is preparing for a career in special education.
• Cindy & Gary Rath Education Scholarship – Available to an NDU student member or a North Dakota resident who is a student NEA/AFT member in another state, pursuing an undergraduate degree in education. A preference will be given to a student attending Dickinson State University or Valley City State University.
• Les Snavely Memorial Education Scholarship – Available to a student at Dickinson State University who has been accepted to the teacher education program at DSU and is pursuing a degree from DSU that qualifies the student to become a certified teacher.
• Fern Pokorny Education Scholarship – Available to a student pursing an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Dickinson State University. The student must be a graduate of a North Dakota high school. 

Graduate Scholarships:

• Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship – The purpose is to assist individual English, math or science instructors to improve their qualifications by attending summer school or pursuing graduate level courses during the regular academic year, online courses or extension courses that are part of a graduate program.
• Mary Cripps Special Education Scholarship – Available to either an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing initial or advanced training in special education.
• Halstenson Family Music Scholarship Fund – 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. Individuals 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.
• Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship – This 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.
• Howard Loftesnes Memorial Education Scholarship – Awarded to a student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education as a reading literacy specialist or a similar field of study. Preference shall be given to applicants who attended or are employed at Simle Middle School in Bismarck.
• Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship – Available to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student who is preparing for a career in special education.
• Harris & Arlyce Widmer Family Business Education Scholarship – Available to an active ND United member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate education, or professional development opportunities in business education.

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. Please click on the Award to apply.

• Dr. Joanne Pearson Fine Arts Grant – Available for an individual member or a group of members to enhance arts at the elementary or secondary level, support professional development, and/or support student activities in the arts including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, cinema, music, and theater.

Apply for the Dr. Joanne Pearson Fine Arts Grant

• Holland Family Experiential Learning Grant – Available to assist members engaged in developing and/or presenting experiential learning to improve public service or public education in North Dakota. Preference will be given to experiential learning involving North Dakota studies.

Apply for the Holland Family Experiential Learning Grant

• Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award – Given each year in recognition of Joe Westby’s 45 years of leadership in education, including 32 years within our union. Westby recognized the need to encourage members and staff to pursue leadership training. 

Apply for the Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award

• 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.

Apply for the NDU Workplace Innovation Grant