Lakselaget Foundation Scholarship Fund

The Lakselaget Scholarship Fund was established to celebrate, encourage and advance the organization's motto, women who swim against the current. Its goal is to promote the international connections between Norway and Minnesota, and learn, teach and share knowledge that will benefit women in their complex roles in today's society.


Scholarship Winners 2005-06
Lakselaget 2005/2006 Scholarship Recipients

Applicants should have an interest in contemporary Norway and all things Norwegian, such as the sciences, technology, business, politics, language and culture, and who seek to enhance and disseminate their knowledge.

The scholarship is also available for Norwegian women who want to learn more about the United States, specifically Minnesota.

Dowload an application form (PDF)
Download the selection committee criteria (PDF)

Read about the criteria for scholarship selection below:

Scholarship Selection Committee Criteria

It is important for the committee to keep the basic intention of the scholarship as stated at the beginning of the application form:

The Lakselaget Scholarship Fund was established to celebrate, encourage and advance the organization's motto, women who swim against the current. Its goal is to promote the international connections between Norway and Minnesota, and learn, teach and share knowledge that will benefit women in their complex roles in today's society.

Although some may appear subjective, our motto must be at the forefront of your decision-making, so be prudent and cautious.

If no applicant fills all these criteria, no scholarship will be awarded. The money will stay in the fund until the following year. The number of scholarships each year will depend on the funds available.

1. SCHOLARLY COMPETENCE

  • Look at the GPA, but also place emphasis on the type of classes and the thoughts the student displays. Is she breaking new ground? How has the job or life experiences, contributed to the betterment of the student?

2. APPROPRIATENESS TO THE TIME AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE

  • Are her class choices and the timing of this scholarship realistic toward completing her timeline of study?

3. LIFELONG CONNECTION WITH NORWAY/AMERICA

  • Determine if the student's interest in Norway/Minnesota has been a lifelong connection and sincere interest for some time. The applicant's interest should be greater than having a relative emigrate from Norway. It should be an ongoing interest, such as Norwegian classes, membership in a Norwegian organization, Camp Norway, trips to Norway, Concordia Language Camp (Skogsfjorden) or Scandinavian studies. A similar measure should be used for Norwegian students wishing to study in Minnesota.

4. QUALITY OF WRITTEN APPLICATON

  • Is the essay well written, clear and succinct?
  • Does it address the points requested in the application?
  • A short, 1000-word essay which clearly describes why study in Norway/Minnesota is essential to you, what you expect to contributing to your world in the future, your ideas for sharing ideas internationally, and how your studies upholds Lakselaget's motto, "Women who swim against the current".
  • Does it convince you that the applicant truly wants to study and learn?

5. BENEFIT TO THE DISCIPLINE

  • Look at student's larger purpose in undertaking study in Norway, including the potential benefit to the student or to future relations between Norway and Minnesota, or the promotion of current Norway, and how all of it might benefit Lakselaget at large.

6. HUMAN NEED AND PERSONAL GROWTH

  • How will a stay in Norway/Minnesota/University of North Dakota, Grand Forks contribute to the individual's development and personal growth?
  • If possible, a personal interview in-person or by phone, before any final decision is made.

POLICIES

Below are guidelines for Lakselaget's scholarship policy. These should be review annually by the Foundation Director, the Scholarship Selection Committee and the Board.

  • Lakselaget members and their children may apply, but must compete along with all applicants.
  • Siblings may apply and be awarded scholarships, but only one sibling per year.
  • Any selection committee members who is related to or has close ties with any applicant, must excuse herself and an alternate will be substituted.
  • If the student has received the scholarship and, without reason, decides not to study as planned, the scholarship must be returned in full. If time allows, the next applicant next in line may then be given the scholarship.
  • If the student takes ill and must return home, all efforts should be made by the student to obtain a refund and return the unused portion to Lakselaget. She may apply again at a later date. A letter from the doctor should be sent to the scholarship committee.

Please send scholarship inquiries to scholarships@lakselaget.org.

September 2006