Linda Olson Memorial Scholarship
The LeadMN scholarship program rewards emerging student leaders for their community service and their academic achievement. Linda Olson Memorial Scholarship winners serve their community in many ways like mentoring, volunteering, or organizing in their community.
This $500 scholarship is awarded in the fall and spring semesters. Applications for fall semester open on January 1st and close on April 1st at 11:59pm. Applications for spring semester open July 1st and close November 1 at 11:59pm.
Scholarship Qualifications
- You must be a current student at one of the 33 Minnesota State colleges and universities (students attending private colleges or the University of Minnesota system are ineligible)
- Have a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and a commitment to serving others
- PSEO students are ineligible
- LeadMN Board of Directors and Executive Board members are ineligible for this scholarship.
Scholarship Requirements
- Complete and submit the online application.
- Write an essay (Must be 300-600 words) explaining your understanding of the meaning of leadership. In addition, please include examples from your personal experiences to support your view. Your examples could include, but are not limited to, your own experiences in leadership, examples of leaders who have made a difference in your life or people who have influenced your ideas of leadership, positively or negatively.
- In your own words, state 3-5 leadership skills you have and give an example or two of how you have used them in your (1) education, (2) community, and (3) employment.
- Write an essay (Must be 300-600 words) on what a college education means to you and how this scholarship will help in your leadership development.
- Please submit a leadership biography: This is meant to be an overview of your leadership skills. It is a listing of your leadership skills and how you have used them in positions you have held, whether that is in a job, on a committee, for an event, etc. Please include: one specific leadership role, leadership skills you had to apply in this role and how you used those skills, and examples of improvements you made or promotions you received while in this role.
- Submit one letter of recommendation from a community, campus or organization leader who can discuss your leadership skills (one letter should be from a peer)
- Submit a copy of your school unofficial transcript