SCEC Scholarships aren’t just for high school seniors! Last year, 24 area high school graduates and two older college students received scholarships through the co-op.

One way St. Croix Electric Cooperative demonstrates the Cooperative Principles and carries out the mission of the co-op is through the many types of scholarships we offer. 

The cooperative principles most often cited when speaking of scholarship programs are arguably:

·        #5: Education, Training and Information

·        #7: Concern for Community

SCEC's scholarship program also demonstrates the first three principles:

·        #1: Voluntary and Open Membership (no discrimination)

·        #2: Democratic Member Control (one member, one vote)

·        #3: Members’ Economic Participation (members contribute equitably)

Scholarships are funded by forfeited capital credits (unclaimed funds from former members) or endowments put into an account held in trust by Federated Youth Foundation and have no effect on members’ bills.

Three types of scholarships are available to children of SCEC members currently attending their senior year of high school who will be attending a technical college or two- or four-year college or university:

·        District Draw Scholarships: Random drawing by Director District.

·        Co-op Principles Scholarships: Selected by committee based on criteria related to Cooperative Principles, leadership qualities and academic performance.

·        Wayne Willink Cooperative Leadership Scholarship: Available only to those majoring in an agriculture-related field. This $1,000 scholarship is funded privately by the Willink family. Selected by committee based on criteria related to academics, community involvement, cooperative knowledge, scholastic- and agricultural-related activities and demonstration of leadership abilities.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for all THREE types of scholarships, but no student may receive both a Co-op Principles Scholarship AND a District Draw Scholarship. A student MAY receive both the Willink scholarship and EITHER a Co-op Principles Scholarship OR a District Draw Scholarship.

In addition to the above one-time awards for graduating high school seniors, SCEC offers two scholarships to current members of the St. Croix Electric Cooperative and their spouses and dependent children who are 18 years or older and who have not in the past received any other type of scholarship from SCEC:

·        Non-Traditional Scholarships: Must be at least two years out of high school, not have attended a post-secondary institution in the past year and will be attending a technical college or a two-year or four-year college or university. Selection by a committee based on criteria related to Cooperative Principles (particularly Concern for Community), leadership qualities and other circumstances.

·        Lineworker Scholarships: Must be accepted or are enrolled in a qualified electrical lineworker program.

To redeem scholarships, students must submit proof of enrollment – as simple as a screenshot or .pdf of a fall class schedule – and a check will be issued to the college or university on behalf of the student and mailed to the student’s home address.

For more information visit scecnet.net/scholarships, or email scholarships@scecnet.net or call 715-796-5613.