FOUNDATION
The Sons of Norway Foundation awards approximately 25 scholarships to promising students each year.
These programs promote cultural exchange and support higher education to help students follow their dreams.
Read more about our opportunities available below:
See the 2018 Scholarship winners here.
See the 2017 Scholarship winners here.
* Indicates a requirement of current Sons of Norway membership for the applicant, or applicant’s parent/grandparent. See full details for each scholarship below.
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Thank you for your interest in our scholarships. The 2019 applications will open on October 31, 2018.
For more information on each of our scholarship opportunities please read below:
Overview
King Olav V of Norway gave his permission to the Sons of Norway Foundation to use his name in establishing a fund to be known as the “King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Fund.”
Its purpose is to fund activities in which the American and Norwegian heritages are explored, studied and shared by qualified scholarship recipients. Endowment money has been raised by selling medallions and securing gifts from Sons of Norway members.
Who can apply:
- Any American, age 17 or older, who is major or minoring in Norwegain or Scandinavian studies or enrolling in an accredited program in Norway, age 17 or older, who has demonstrated an interest in American heritage.
- 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.).
- If you are not currently enrolled in a post-secondary program you must show proof of enrollment prior to receiving scholarship funding.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Academic potential
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Sons of Norway Foundation offers a scholarship to Oslo International Summer School annually for $1,500. The Sons of Norway Foundation general fund supports this opportunity through donations from our generous members, lodges and friends.
Who can apply:
- Applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current Sons of Norway members. Membership must be in effect at least year one calendar year prior to application.
- Those who have a certificate of completion from high school.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Academic potential
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Helen Tronvold Adult Learner Scholarship was established in 2017 to support the Sons of Norway Foundation’s objective of providing cross-cultural experiences for adult insurance members. Helen Tronvold remembered Sons of Norway Foundation with a special bequest in her will, which is the source of funding for this opportunity.
Who can apply:
- Applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway age 40 and over who own a Sons of Norway annuity or insurance product.*
- Those who intend to take academic or cultural/heritage classes in Norway and can provide proof of enrollment.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Sons of Norway International Board of Directors established the Lund Fund of the Sons of Norway Foundation in 2010 as a tribute to former Chief Executive Officer, John Lund and former Legal Counsel of Sons of Norway, Allan Lund, for their combined forty years of outstanding service and dedication.
The Lund family has chosen to use this scholarship fund for study abroad experiences through accredited, post high school, educational institutions. No preference shall be given based on the country selected for the study abroad experience. Special consideration shall be given to military veterans.
“We of Norwegian heritage value education. Travel and cross cultural learning has been integral to Norway since Viking times. In our modern era we see the importance of living and studying in a foreign country as an opportunity to meet and understand peoples of different cultures that provides benefit throughout a student’s life.” – John Lund
Who can apply:
- Any 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. Membership must be in effect at least one calendar year prior to application.
- Those who have a certificate of completion from high school and are enrolled in a recognized educational institution abroad or a study abroad program facilitated by an accredited college or university in the United States.
- If you are not currently enrolled in a post-secondary program you must show proof of enrollment prior to receiving scholarship funding.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Academic potential
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Click Here for Guidelines
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Douglas Warne – Rolf & Wenche Eng Scholarship creates an opportunity for qualified applicants to attend educational institutions in Norway and assists with the costs of tuition, room and board.
This scholarship is endowed and funded by Douglas Warne in honor and remembrance of his experiences at the University of Oslo, International Summer School and the friendship and assistance provided by the Rotary and the Rolf and Wenche Eng family during that school year and subsequent visits to Norway. Both affected his choices in life and in his profession. In 2013, Mr. Warne marked being active in his local Scandinavian Community for more than 50 years. He is past president of the Norwegian Commercial Club, Leif Erikson Lodge of the Sons of Norway, secretary of Leif Erikson Recreation Board and a member of the Board of Governors of the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Who can apply:
- Any current American or Canadian members of the Sons of Norway or Rotary, as well as their children or grandchildren. Those students without family members in the Sons of Norway or Rotary may select an advocate or representative from either organization to sponsor their application.
- Applicants of any age who have completed one full year of college level work.
- Applicants who have been accepted by an educational 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 do not have to be currently attending school to apply.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Academic potential
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
Astrid G. Cates remembered the Sons of Norway youth with a generous donation from her estate to the Sons of Norway Foundation. This fund has been set aside to support students interested in applying for vocational training.
Who can apply:
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American applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren. Membership must be in effect at least one calendar year prior to application.
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Those who have a certificate of completion from high school and are enrolled in trade or vocational school.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
Myrtle Beinhauer left a legacy of supporting Sons of Norway youth through the Foundation with a gift in her will. Two scholarships will be awarded from this fund annually for undergraduate studies in any major.
Who can apply:
-
American applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren. Membership must be in effect at least one calendar year prior to application.
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Those who have a certificate of completion from high school and are enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- Essay of 500 words or less
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Jensen in memory of their remarkable daughter. By age 35, when she died suddenly, Nancy had already distinguished herself as an outstanding chemical engineer whose work resulted in important advances within the field of weather satellite photography. It is the wish of Dr. and Mrs. Jensen to encourage young women to enter the field of science and engineering by offering scholarships in Nancy’s memory.
Who can apply:
- The applicant must be an American citizen between the ages of 17-35 as of the date of application.
- The applicant must be a current female member or the daughter or granddaughter of a current member of the Sons of Norway, provided that such membership has been in effect for at least three years prior to the date on the application.
- The applicant must be a full-time undergraduate who has completed at least one term of her studies after being accepted as a major either in chemistry, physics or in chemical, electrical or mechanical engineering.
- The applicant must have attained an SAT score of at least 1800 with a math score of 600 or better or an ACT score of at least 26.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Academic potential
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
The Orel and Marie Winjum Memorial Scholarship was created to assist with college tuition costs for American citizens of Norwegian and/or German heritage. This scholarship is given in honor of Orel and Marie Winjum by their children, all of whom earned a college degree – some early in life and some later. Marie finished her college degree after all their children were grown.
Orel and Marie Winjum believed that education is important. They also believed that those who gain the knowledge and critical thinking that a college education can bestow will find their lives truly enriched, and that they will enrich the lives of all with whom they come in contact.
Who can apply:
- American citizens with either Norwegian and/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.
- Those who are 17 or older and have a certificate of completion from high school or are about to graduate from high school. Adult students are also welcome to apply for this opportunity.
- Those who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Letters of recommendation
Applications will Open October 31
Overview
Bernt Anker, Sons of Norway member since 2005, feels deeply that college students without parents should have the same opportunity and support as students who come from a two parent household. It is thanks to Mr. Anker’s generosity that this four-year scholarship is possible.
Who can apply:
- American citizens who have applied to or are enrolled in an accredited, four-year, post-secondary institution or a two-year community college with the intent of continuing toward an undergraduate degree in the US.
- Those who have a certificate of completion from high school or are about to graduate from high school.
- Those who are between the ages of 17-25 years old.
- Preference will be given to students without parents or to students raised by single parents.
Criteria:
- A short autobiography, 150 words or less
- An essay of 500 words or less
- Two letters of recommendation
- For students without parents: We require one recommendation letter verify your situation, on institutional letterhead from either:
- your high-school guidance counselor, or
- an official office of your college (such as the financial aid or bursar’s office).
* Indicates a requirement of current Sons of Norway membership for the applicant, or applicant’s parent/grandparent. See full scholarship details in each case.
Questions?
For more information on scholarships offered by the Sons of Norway Foundation, send us an email at [email protected] or call (800) 945-8851.