In February 1989, Evelyn Lenander from Buffalo Lake, Minnesota established a fund to provide scholarships for college students majoring in elementary education. Evelyn was born in Renville County. She attended St. Cloud Teachers College and graduated with a two-year teaching degree in 1929. She and her husband farmed and Evelyn continued to teach. Evelyn Lenander was much loved and respected by her students during her 39-year career as an elementary education teacher. “I didn’t have children of my own. I had community children,” she said. Supporting students interested in pursuing elementary education career was important to Evelyn because, “You can’t be a good teacher by saying you want to be. A good teacher knows the basics and isn’t afraid to love the students.”
Eligibility Requirements:
- College Student
- From: Attending a Minnesota College or University going into their 3rd or 4th year and have graduated from a MN high school.
- Major: Elementary Education.
- GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Recipients must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completed 2 full years of college and accepted in a Minnesota College/University program leading to an elementary education degree.
- Preference will be given to permanent MN residents living within a 25 miles radius of Buffalo Lake and then eligibility will be expanded to include other students from Central Minnesota.
- Planning to attend: 3-4th year of college
Available Scholarships: Amounts vary from $1,000 – $4,500 Scholarships
Renewable: No
Scholarship Application Deadline: March 1
Scholarship Application Process: Online applications only.
Items you will need to complete the application:
- Application General Questions
- Essay: 2 page double spaced: What event or person has influenced your life the most? Share how and why this is important to the person you are becoming?
- Statement of Financial Need: A statement about your financial need will be required
- List of Activities: For the following categories: 1) Community/Church, 2) Extra Curricular School Activities, 3) Work Experience. Include years involved and areas of leadership/ participation.
- Letters of Recommendation: 2 letters will be required in digital format (PDF).
- Electronic Transcript: Upload a copy of official transcript.
Other Notes: None
Notification and Claim Process: The scholarship recipients will be notified via email in May.
Signed scholarship agreement and verification of full time enrollment from the college/university will be required in June.
Scholarships are paid on a semester basis directly to the students account, typically by Sept 1st and Jan 10th.