Community-supported education
A short list of scholarships offered in the Norwegian-American community
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES:
University of Wisconsin, Madison
The Department of German, Nordic, and Slavic offers several scholarships and grants to qualified students enrolled in the program.
Deadlines vary
More info: gns.wisc.edu/scholarships
University of California, Berkeley, Dept. of Scandinavian
The Departmental Citation can be given to one student each year who has done outstanding academic work (minimum GPA of 3.5) in either the Scandinavian or Celtic Studies major. The Lundberg Prize is a Department of Scandinavian award recognizing excellence in scholarship by a graduating senior who has majored in Scandinavian.
The Department of Scandinavian invites students who have taken coursework in the department to apply for grants to subsidize travel to study-abroad programs in the Nordic region. One Lundberg Travel Grant in the amount of $1,500 will be available each year in this competition, if funding allows.
Deadline: Feb. 1
More info: scandinavian.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/awards-scholarships-and-grants
University of Washington (UW) Dept. of Scandinavian Studies
The UW Dept. of Scandinavian Studies offers 10 scholarships for its undergraduate and graduate students in Norwegian language, literature, and area studies, in amounts between $1,500 and $23,000.
Deadline not yet posted; in 2019 it was Feb. 14.
More info: scandinavian.washington.edu/scholarships
Pacific Lutheran University
SCC Endowed Neil Anderson Merit Scholarship ($4,000), for Scandinavian Area Studies and Norwegian majors; SCC Endowed Susan E. Young Study in Scandinavia Award ($4,000); SCC Endowed Faculty-Student Research ($1,200); Study Away Award ($2,000).
Deadline: early April
More info: www.plu.edu/languages/nordic-studies/scholarships-awards
St. Olaf College
The Rand Scholar Award fosters undergraduate research in the life and culture of Norway. The award, in the amount of $5,000, is offered each year to the St. Olaf student who presents the best proposal for a 300-level independent research course focusing on some aspect of Norwegian life.
Deadline in spring
More info: wp.stolaf.edu/norwegian/st-olaf-scholarships
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.
Deadlines are announced in spring semester.
More info: cla.umn.edu/gnsd/undergraduate/scholarships-grants/scandinavian
OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
Fulbright Norway
The U.S. Fulbright scholar program offers long- and short-term opportunities for U.S. citizens with a doctorate, other terminal degree, or substantial professional experience to conduct research and/or teach in Norway. The Fulbright student program offers stipends for students to carry out master- or doctorate-level studies or research in Norway and for students who would like to serve as English teaching assistants. Students who have already begun their studies at a Norwegian university in Norway are not eligible.
Deadline for Scholar Program: Sep. 16
Deadline for Student Program: Oct. 8
More info: fulbright.no/grants/grants-to-norway
Nordic Northwest (NNW)
The Lucia, Queen of Light program puts young women with an interest in Nordic heritage in touch with this beloved legend of Scandinavia, while offering them the opportunity to serve their community and receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The official Oregon Lucia is crowned each year at NNW’s ScanFair in December. Nordic Northwest accepts Lucia applications from young women with an interest in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish heritage between the ages of 16 and 20 (must be at least a junior in high school, unmarried, and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States).
Deadline: Nov. 1
More info: www.nordicnorthwest.org/lucia-scholarship
Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study (SASS)
The Birgit Baldwin Fellowship in Scandinavian Studies is a grant to encourage the research and writing of dissertations for the Ph.D. in topics concerned with Scandinavian (Nordic) literature or film that can most effectively be pursued in the archives and libraries of the Nordic countries. The stipend is $25,000 payable in two installments for travel and living expenses in the Nordic region during one academic year.
Deadline: Dec. 1
The Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship is intended to support outstanding graduate students whose doctoral dissertation examines a Scandinavian or Scandinavian-American topic in the social sciences or history, broadly defined.
Deadline: Dec. 1
Each year SASS honors graduate student contributions to our conference by awarding two student presenters the Aurora Borealis Prize for the best oral paper presentations, one in the category of history and social science, and one in arts and humanities. Nominations for the prizes will be accepted from members of the society who are either faculty or independent scholars/artists.
Deadline: Summer (announced on SASS webpage)
More info: scandinavianstudy.org/awards-fellowships
Concordia Language Villages (CLV)
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 at Skogfjorden, while encouraging those 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.
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 CLV. Preference is given to members and their families, but membership is not required.
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 vary: Mid- to late February through March
More info for Norwegian scholarships: www.concordialanguagevillages.org/youth-languages/norwegian-language-village/scholarships (info not yet updated for 2020)
More info for general CLV scholarships: www.concordialanguagevillages.org/youth-dates-and-rates/costs-and-scholarships
Ibsen Society of America
The graduate travel stipend assists graduate students presenting their research on Ibsen at SASS, the annual Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies conference (to be held in Puerto Rico, April 29-May 3, 2020). Three travel stipends of $250 will be awarded to graduate students who intend to present on any aspect of Ibsen’s life and work; the historical and contemporary performance of his plays; or scholarship on Ibsen across the academic disciplines.
Deadline: March 20, 2020; send application to ISA President Olivia Noble Gunn, ogunn@uw.edu
The undergraduate essay prize recognizes student essays that offer fresh ideas, new approaches, and insightful commentary on the dramatic works of Henrik Ibsen. We invite students to submit essays of at least 2,000 words that were written as undergraduate coursework during the academic year 2019-2020. Students can submit their own essays with permission of the instructor, or instructors can nominate student essays with permission of the student. The author of the winning essay will be awarded $500, and there can be an honorable mention award of $250. The winner’s name will be posted on the Ibsen Society of America (ISA) website.
Deadline: June 1, 2020; send to Olivia Noble Gunn, ogunn@uw.edu
More info: ibsensociety.org/isa-student-prizes
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Summer Enrichment stipends provide funds on a first come, first served basis to cover all or a portion of the direct cost for students in grades 3-11 to attend eligible summer academic enrichment programs. These cover the cost of the summer program transportation up to a maximum of $1,000. Minnesota residents eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches and meeting the grade requirement are eligible.
Deadlines vary
More info: www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1958
FOUNDATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
American Scandinavian Foundation (ASF)
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.
Deadline: Nov. 1
More info: www.amscan.org/fellowships-and-grants/fellowshipsgrants-to-study-in-scandinavia
Sons of Norway Foundation
The Douglas Warne–Rolf & Wenche Eng Scholarship assists with tuition and 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 from either 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.
The Helen Tronvold Adult Learner Scholarship is available to current Sons of Norway members older than 40 who won a Sons of Norway annuity or insurance product with the intention to take academic or cultural/heritage classes in Norway.
The Helen Tronvold Norwegian Folk High School 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 17 and 26 with proof of enrollment in a folk high school in Norway.
The King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Scholarship funds activities in which American and Norwegian heritages are explored, studied, and shared. Any American 17 or older who is major or minoring in Norwegian or Scandinavian studies or enrolling in an accredited program in Norway or those who have a certificate of completion from high school and are enrolled in a recognized educational institution (arts, crafts, literature, history, music, folklore, etc.) can apply. Applicants must show proof of enrollment before receiving scholarship funding.
The Lund Fund Scholarship is for a current Sons of Norway member or 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.
Myrtle Beinhauer Fund: Two scholarships will be awarded from this fund annually for undergraduate studies in any major. The awards are open to current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current members in Sons of Norway. They must have completed high school and be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States.
The Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Fund is a merit-based scholarship 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 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. The applicant must have attained an SAT score of 1800 with a math score over 600, or an ACT score of at least 26.
The Orel and Marie Winjum Memorial Scholarship assists with tuition costs for 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 United States. Applicants must be 17 or older and have completed or be about to complete high school with GPA of 2.5 or higher. Adult students are also welcome to apply.
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 who have finished high school.
Bernt Anker Scholarship: This four-year scholarship is meant to support college students without parents or with single parents. Applicants must be between 17 and 25 and must have applied to or be enrolled in an accredited, four-year, post-secondary institution or a two-year college with the intent of continuing toward an undergraduate degree in the United States. Preference will be given to students without parents or students raised by single parents.
The Astrid G. Cates Vocational Scholarship provides tuition assistance to applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current members who are U.S. citizens. They must be between 17 and 26 and enrolled in post-secondary training or vocational/trade school or have proof of enrollment before receiving scholarship funding.
Dan and Betty Rude Scholarship: This tuition-assistance scholarship is open to American citizens who are enrolled in an accredited, four-year, post-secondary institution and majoring in elementary education. They must be between 17 and 26 and have attained at least one year of post-secondary credit with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Deadlines vary. The earliest is Jan. 15, 2020. All applications open Oct. 1.
More info: www.sofn.com/foundation/scholarships
Overview of Sons of Norway Foundation scholarships (PDF): www.sofn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Foundation_Scholarship-Grid-updated-02.19.pdf
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.
Deadline: March 1, 2020
More info: www.lakselaget.org/index.php/foundation
The Norwegian National League of Chicago
To encourage the study of Norwegian heritage, the Norwegian National League administers a scholarship program open to children of Norwegian descent in grades 1-12. College-bound seniors are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship, and younger students are eligible for additional cash prizes. Older students must submit an original essay on a Norwegian topic, and students in grades 1-4 must submit an original drawing depicting a Norwegian topic. Applicants must reside in the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Kendall, McHenry, or Will.
Deadline: March 1, 2020
More info: www.nnleague.org/scholarships.html
The Norwegian Children’s Home Association in Brooklyn, N.Y.
This organization offers grants to students ages 17 to 23 with at least 25% Norwegian heritage who are enrolled in or accepted to a full-time program of study at an American undergraduate school.
Deadline: March 15, 2020
More info: www.norwegianchildrenshome.org/Norwegian%20Childrens%20Home-appl.pdf
Norwegian Society of Texas (NST)
The NST Scholarship Program offers three academic scholarships of $1,000, for incoming freshman, continuing-education students, and post-grad students.
Deadline: March 15, 2020
More info: www.norwegiansocietyoftexas.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=550176&module_id=328669
Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1, Sons of Norway, Education Foundation
The 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% of the fee for Camp Normanna near Everett, Wash., or Camp Nidaros near Seaside, Ore.
The Camp Trollhaugen Endowed LEL Scholarship Award with the Youth Camp Program for District 2 provides the recipient with a scholarship for 25% of the camp fee.
The 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.
The 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.
The Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant is for persons who can provide a positive camp experience for young people participating in the District 2 Sons of Norway Youth Camp Program.
The 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.
Deadline: March 31, 2020
More info: www.leiferiksonlodge.org/scholarships
Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships
The Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships awards up to five scholarships annually in amounts of $1,500 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 both merit and financial need.
Deadline: March 31, 2020
More Info: www.swedishclubnw.org/scholarships.htm
The Norway-America Association (NORAM)
Every year, NORAM offers up to 10 scholarships to American students planning to study or currently studying full-time in Norway at the graduate level. The amounts vary from NOK 10,000 to NOK 40,000 (about $1,100-$4,400). The project description must be of academic merit, and the project must be feasible within the framework proposed.
Deadline: April 1, 2020
More info: noram.no/en/scholarship-americans
Norwegian Commercial Club in Seattle
The club offers four scholarship awards totaling approximately $18,000. The first is for a $5,000 cash-only award sent to the educational institute of the award recipient. The second award for $5,000 includes the cash award and one round-trip airline ticket to Oslo, for study in Scandinavia, supported by Icelandair. The third $5,000 award is an NCC Fisheries Scholarship available to high school seniors or graduate students seeking to pursue a career in fisheries management or fisheries research in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, or to students in fishery technical schools, such as the Maritime Academy. The fourth scholarship is for tuition and expenses for the International Summer School at the University of Oslo. The ISS scholarship is limited to students who live or attend school in Washington.
Deadline: April 5, 2020
More info: www.norwegiancommercialclub.org/scholarships
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 United States, 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.
Deadline: May 1, 2020
More info: www.nlcofseattle.org/scholarships
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, 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 United States and maintain a C+ grade point average or its equivalent.
Deadline: May 8, 2020
More info: www.naccseattle.org
Edvard Grieg Lodge #74
Six scholarships are donated by the members of Edvard Grieg Lodge to help defray expenses while attending Glendale Community College. The recipients must have leadership experience on and off campus.
Deadline: June 30, 2020
More info: glendale.academicworks.com/opportunities/3023
Daughters of Norway (DON) Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge 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 DON 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.
Deadline: July 15, 2020
More info: www.daughtersofnorway.org/about/scholarships
***This information 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 6, 2019, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
