The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to announce its 18th annual scholarship program for high school Juniors in the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Association of Townships Announces Scholarship Program for 2018

Available to current high school Juniors

The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to announce its 18th annual scholarship program for high school Juniors in the state of Minnesota.

Up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. All applications for the awards must be submitted by May 1, 2018.

To enter the contest, the Juniors must answer an essay question developed to support MAT's 2018 Educational Conference theme, "Powering the Future: Energy to Build on in Your Township."

Any Junior currently enrolled and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program is eligible to participate in this scholarship program.

Gary Pedersen, MAT Executive Director, said, "Our townships across the state are proud to offer the MAT Scholarship Program to deserving high school Juniors. It as an opportunity for MAT to educate high school students about township government. Townships embody the values of 'grassroots government,' where local citizens contribute their talents, skills, and ideas to preserve their quality of life, build their communities and deliver important services."

Since its inception in 2001, the MAT Scholarship Program has had over 1750 submissions and 70 winners. "The MAT Scholarship Program has been well-received statewide as it is one of the few scholarships offered to Juniors in Minnesota schools," said Pedersen.

"Our goal is to get Minnesota High School Juniors interested in our scholarship program and wanting to learn about township government.

Whether the participants are from the largest cities in the state or a small rural area, from the northwest to the southeast and all places in between, we want to encourage as many Minnesota Juniors to enter our contest as possible.

It is a real inspiration to know that the MAT scholarship program has made a real difference for our recipients in furthering their education," stated Pedersen. The MAT Scholarship Program's eligibility requirements are set out in the information below.

"The program allows high school Juniors to research the given topic and become better informed about township government. It is a win-win for MAT and the scholarship recipients." Pedersen concluded.

ELIGIBILITY: All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university, or vocational school are eligible for this program. They cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.

REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay answering the following question: New energy developments are everywhere. Wind and solar farms dot the landscape. Transmission lines and pipelines traverse the countryside. Township officials are on the front line needing to respond to residents' concerns of placement of energy projects and possible adverse health and safety issues. How can townships balance the required needs of residents for safe, reliable energy sources while responding to the health, safety, economic, and environmental concerns of their community?

* Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing.

* Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay.

* See the application for research tips (application can be found on our website www.mntownships.org).

Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit:

* current high school transcript

* letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.

* All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, MN 55376, postmarked by May 1, 2018.

* Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1 will not be accepted.

SELECTION:

An independent panel will judge each essay based on originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation.

The judging will be completed by September 2018 at which time up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing by October 1, 2018 and will be invited to attend the Minnesota Association of Townships' annual awards banquet to be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 in Duluth.

Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of completing their first term at a college, university, or technical school. The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships.

Its goals are educational and charitable, promoting an understanding of the history of townships and being a voice for its roughly 9,000 officers.

It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient and economical town governmental services and acts as a liaison between township officers and other local government officials to encourage sustained cooperation.

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