Community-supported education
A short list of scholarships offered in the Norwegian-American community
Photo: Nick Youngson, www.nyphotographic.com / ImageCreator, www.imagecreator.co.uk
The American Scandinavian Foundation
ASF offers fellowships (up to $23,000) and grants (up to $5,000) to U.S. residents to pursue research, study, or creative arts projects in one or more Scandinavian country for up to one year. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education by the start of their project in Scandinavia and have a well-defined project that makes a stay in Scandinavia essential.
More info: www.amscan.org/fellowships-and-grants/fellowshipsgrants-to-study-in-scandinavia
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2018
Ibsen Society of America
An undergraduate essay prize recognizes fresh ideas, new approaches, and insightful commentary on the dramatic works of Henrik Ibsen. Students or instructors are invited to submit essays of at least 2,000 words that were written as coursework in any type of undergraduate course during the calendar year 2018. The author of the winning essay will be awarded $500, and the essay will be posted on the Ibsen Society of America (ISA) website (ibsensociety.org). There will also be an honorable mention award of $250.
More info: email ogunn@uw.edu
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2019
The ISA Graduate Travel Stipend assists students presenting their research on Ibsen at the annual Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies conference (SASS). Three travel stipends of $250 each will be awarded to graduate students who will present on any aspect of Ibsen’s life and work, on the historical and contemporary performance of his plays, or on scholarship on Ibsen across the academic disciplines.
More info: www.scandinavianstudy.org/2018/02/ibsen-society-of-america-travel-grants
Deadline: Feb. 18, 2019
Concordia Language Villages Scholarships
Four scholarships are offered for young people enrolled in Norwegian courses at Concordia Language Villages.
The Velkommen Stipend assists first-time residential Norwegian villagers.
The Tripp Trapp Fund provides scholarship assistance to Norwegian villagers who are stepping up from one level of the program to the next. For example, if a villager attended a one-week session during summer 2017 and would like to move up to a two-week session for summer 2018, they would qualify for this scholarship.
The Tove Irene Dahl Scholarship supports villager longevity in the program at Skogfjorden, while encouraging those same villagers to give back to the program in the form of a service project. Only villagers who have completed five or more years qualify for this scholarship.
The Passport Fund is a need-based scholarship for those you would like to study a language. Need is determined by family size and adjusted gross income (AGI), as well as special circumstances.
Deadlines: Mid- to late February
University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies
The University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies offers 10 scholarships for its undergraduate and graduate students in Norwegian language, literature, and area studies, in varying amounts between $1,500 and $23,000.
More info: www.scandinavian.washington.edu/scholarships
Deadline for all: Feb. 15, 2019
University of Minnesota Dept. of German, Scandinavian & Dutch
The Mary Ann Wilson Hansen Scholarship in Scandinavian Studies offers $3,000 awards for up to two students with a Scandinavian emphasis (one of these is reserved for a student of Swedish). The awards are based on merit, with some consideration for financial need and priority given to students who have not previously received our scholarships. Applicants must have completed at least a 1003 or higher course in Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish.
More info: www.cla.umn.edu/gsd/undergraduate/scholarships-awards
Deadlines are announced in early spring semester.
Sons of Norway Foundation
The Sons of Norway Foundation awards approximately 25 scholarships to promising students each year.
• King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Scholarship: Its purpose is to fund activities in which American and Norwegian heritages are explored, studied, and shared.
• Oslo International Summer School Scholarship: The Sons of Norway Foundation offers a scholarship to Oslo International Summer School annually for $1,500 for current members of Sons of Norway or their children or grandchildren.
• Helen Tronvold Norwegian Folk High School Scholarship: This scholarship provides cross-cultural experiences for youth and is available to current members of Sons of Norway or their children or grandchildren. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 23 and have completed high school.
• Helen Tronvold Adult Learner Scholarship: This award is available to current Sons of Norway members over 40 who won a Sons of Norway annuity or insurance product with the intention to take academic or cultural/heritage classes in Norway.
• Lund Fund Scholarship: This scholarship is for a current Sons of Norway member, child, or grandchild of a current member who demonstrates a keen interest in a post-high school study abroad experience. They must hold a certificate of completion from high school and be enrolled in a recognized educational institution abroad or a study abroad program facilitated by an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Douglas Warne – Rolf & Wenche Eng Scholarship: This scholarship assists with the costs of tuition, room and board for qualified applicants to attend educational institutions in Norway. Current American or Canadian members of the Sons of Norway or Rotary may apply, as well as their children or grandchildren. Students without family members in the organizations may select an advocate or representative from either one to sponsor their application. The award is open to applicants of any age who have completed one full year of college-level work, or have been accepted by a post-secondary institution in Norway, including but not limited to craft, folk, music, theatre, or technical schools, Oslo International Summer School, or undergraduate colleges/universities in Norway. Applicants need not be currently attending school to apply.
• Astrid G. Cates/Myrtle Beinhauer Fund: This award is open to current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current members in Sons of Norway Districts 1-6. They must have completed high school and be enrolled in post-secondary training, vocational/trade school, or college.
• Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Fund: This merit-based scholarship is open to female members or the daughter or granddaughter of a member of the Sons of Norway, provided that such membership has been in effect for at least three years. The applicant must be an American citizen between 17 and 25 years old who is a full-time undergraduate who has completed at least one term as a major in chemistry, physics, or chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
• Orel and Marie Winjum Memorial Scholarship: This award is open to American citizens with Norwegian or German heritage who have applied to or are enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university or two-year community college in the U.S. Applicants must be 17 or older and have completed or be about to graduate from high school with GPA of 2.5 or higher. Adult students are welcome to apply.
More info: www.sofn.com/foundation/scholarships
Deadlines for Sons of Norway Foundation scholarship may vary; many applications due early March.
Lakselaget
The Lakselaget Scholarship and Opportunity Fund was established to celebrate, encourage, and advance the organization’s motto, women who swim against the current.
Applicants for the Lakselaget Foundation Scholarship Fund should have an interest in contemporary Norway and a desire to develop their own interests in another field, such as the sciences, technology, business, politics, language, and culture, and who seek to disseminate their knowledge.
Applicants for the Lakselaget Foundation Opportunity or Work Study Fund should be in a work situation where a short-term position in a similar job in Norway would be beneficial to their career. This opportunity could be used to supplement funding for an international exchange or internship within the same field, or for a short-term work opportunity that provides a chance to learn about another country.
More info: www.lakselaget.org
Deadline: March 1, 2019
The Norwegian Children’s Home Association in Brooklyn, N.Y.
This organization offers grants to students ages 17 to 23 with at least 25 percent Norwegian heritage who are enrolled in or accepted to a full-time program of study at an American undergraduate school.
More info: www.norwegianchildrenshome.org
Deadline: March 1, 2019
The Norwegian National League of Chicago in Chicago
The Norwegian National League of Chicago is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a college-bound high school senior and additional cash prizes to deserving students in 1st through 11th grades who are of Norwegian heritage residing in the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Kendall, McHenry, or Will. Older students must submit an original essay on a Norwegian topic, and students in 1st through 4th grades must submit an original drawing depicting a Norwegian topic.
More info: www.nnleague.org/scholarships
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Den Norske Torske Klubben
Den Norske Torske Klubben provides scholarship and grant opportunities for young people to attend language and cultural camps, seminars, and other educational opportunities celebrating Scandinavian heritage. Norske Torske Klubben Foundation scholarships are now available for Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Danish villagers at Concordia Language Villages. Preference is given to members and their families, but applicants are not required to be a member.
More info: www.concordialanguagevillages.org, search “Norske Torske Klubben”
Deadline: Early March
Norwegian Society of Texas
The NST Scholarship Program provides financial assistance with focus on increasing membership, promoting member activity and loyalty, and developing future NST leaders. In 2019, NST is offering three academic scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000, for incoming freshman students, continuing-education students, and post-grad students.
More info: www.norwegiansocietyoftexas.org/scholarship/scholarship-application
Deadline: March 15, 2019
Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1, Sons of Norway, Education Foundation
Leif Erikson Lodge in Seattle announces the following 2019 scholarships:
• Camp Normanna or Camp Nidaros Endowed LEL Scholarship Award with the Youth Camp Program for District 2 provides the recipient with a scholarship for 25 percent of the fee for either Camp Normanna near Everett, Wash., or Camp Nidaros near Seaside, Ore.
• Camp Trollhaugen Endowed LEL Scholarship Award with the Youth Camp Program for District 2 provides the recipient with a scholarship for 25 percent of the camp fee.
• Douglas Warne Vocational Scholarship will award a scholarship to an eligible person 18-25 attending or planning on attending an accredited technical, trade, or vocational program in Washington state.
• Queen and Princess Scholarship Program awards two young women who represent the lodge as its queen and princess with awards of $1,000 and $400, respectively. The winners will represent Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 in at least five events of their choosing during the year. The queen must be 18 by Aug. 1 and enrolled or accepted at an accredited college or university. The princess must be between 10 and 18.
• Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant for persons who can provide a positive camp experience for young people participating in the District 2 Sons of Norway Youth Camp Program.
• Youth Leadership Award is for one young person 18-25 planning on attending an institution of higher learning or trade school. The amount of the award is $1,000.
Applications will be available Oct. 31, 2018, at Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 N.W. 57th Street, Seattle, or online. More info: www.leiferiksonlodge.org/scholarships
Deadlines: March 31, 2019
Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships
The Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships awards up to five scholarships annually in amounts up to $3,500 per grant, and are open to all graduating high school seniors who reside in King County, Wash., to finance their first year of college in any area of study. There are no ethnicity or heritage requirements. Awards are based on on both merit and financial need.
More Info: www.swedishclubnw.org/scholarships
Deadline: March 31, 2019
The Norway-America Association
Every year, NORAM offers up to 10 scholarships to American students planning to study or currently studying in Norway. The amounts vary from $1,500 to $5,000. Scholarships are only for graduate-level studies, both exchange and whole degree in Norway. The project description must be of academic merit, and the project must be feasible within the framework proposed.
More info: noram.no/en/scholarship-americans
Deadline: April 1, 2019
Norwegian Commercial Club in Seattle
The NCC is offering scholarships totaling up to approximately $20,000.
The first is a $5,000 award sent to the educational institute of the award recipient.
The second $5,000 award includes a cash award and one roundtrip airline ticket with Icelandair to Oslo, Norway.
The third $5,000 award is an NCC Fisheries Scholarship available to high school seniors or college students seeking to pursue a career in fisheries management or research in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, or to students in fishery technical schools.
The fourth scholarship of approximately $3,100 is toward tuition and expenses for the International Summer School at the University of Oslo and is limited to students who live or attend school in Washington state.
More info: www.norwegiancommercialclub.org/scholarships
Deadline: April 10, 2019
Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle
The Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle is offering two awards totaling up to $1,500. These merit-based scholarships promote the musical endeavors of students in the Norwegian community. Priority is given to applicants whose course of study is music or related fields that ideally relate to Norway.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., residing in the greater Seattle area, enrolled in high school, university, or college in the Pacific Northwest with a demonstrable knowledge of music, and must have a minimum of a C+ grade point average or equivalent.
More info: www.nlcofseattle.org/scholarships
Deadline: May 1, 2019
Norwegian Chamber of Commerce Greater Seattle Chapter
The Greater Seattle Chapter of the NACC offers the Leif Eie Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. This scholarship is intended to promote trade, commerce, and other professional relations between Norway, Washington State, and the Pacific Northwest. Priority is given to applicants whose course of study is in business or the professions. All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and maintain a C+ grade point average or its equivalent.
More info: www.naccseattle.org
Deadline: May 8, 2019
Edvard Grieg Lodge #74
Six scholarships are donated by the members of the Norwegian Lodge, Edvard Grieg Chapter 74, to help defray expenses while attending Glendale Community College. The recipients must have leadership experience on and off campus. Award amounts vary.
More info: www.glendale.academicworks.com/opportunities
Deadline: June 29, 2019
Daughters of Norway Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge Daughters of Norway offers scholarships to full-time college, university, technical, or vocational students. The applicant should have at least sophomore standing, meet the grade requirement, and be a member of the Daughters of Norway or related to a member. The number of awards varies with the funds, but at least one award of $1,000 is offered each year.
More info: www.daughtersofnorway.org/about/scholarships
Deadline: Second week of July 2019
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) provides stipends on a first-come, first-serve basis, to cover all or a portion of the direct cost for students in grades 3-11 to attend eligible summer academic enrichment programs. The Summer Enrichment stipend will cover the cost of the summer program transportation up to a maximum amount of $1,000. Minnesota residents eligible for free or reduced priced lunches and meeting the grade requirement are eligible.
More info: www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1958
Deadlines: Vary
***All information here is as complete and accurate as The Norwegian American could determine at the time of printing. Some information has not yet been released. Always check with the organizations offering the scholarships for the most up to date info.***
This article originally appeared in the September 7, 2018, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
