Scholarships
Powering Futures, Supporting Communities
At McKenzie Electric Cooperative (MEC), we are committed to supporting education and investing in the next generation of leaders across our service territory.
In 2027, MEC will award $7,500 in scholarships to support students from the communities we serve. Applicants must be dependents of MEC members and attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university, trade school, or technical school. Additional requirements may apply to specific scholarship categories.
A Message from Our CEO
"McKenzie Electric's scholarship program reflects our commitment to education and the future of our communities. It is open to students across our service territory and provides a variety of opportunities to support their goals. One of these scholarships is dedicated to careers in the electric utility field, where skilled and dedicated workers are always needed.
I hope you find this information helpful as you learn about the scholarships available and the application process. I am proud of the impact this program continues to have and look forward to the success of future applicants."
— Matt Hanson, CEO/General Manager
Available Scholarships
We offer several scholarship categories tailored to different educational paths and community needs:
Two $1,000 General Scholarships
Open to high school seniors and college students through their junior year. Students may pursue any field of study.
One $1,000 Electric-Focused Scholarship
Open to high school seniors and college students through their junior year who are pursuing an electric-related field, such as electrical engineering, linework or another technical program connected to the electric utility industry.
Seven $500 High School Senior Scholarships
Available to eligible graduating high school seniors.
One scholarship will be awarded to an eligible student from each of the following high schools:
- Alexander
- Killdeer
- Mandaree
- Watford City
Three additional scholarships will be awarded to eligible students who are homeschooled or attend a high school outside MEC’s service territory.
Two $500 Luck of the Draw Scholarships
These scholarships will be awarded during MEC’s Annual Meeting. Graduating high school seniors who attend the meeting with a parent or guardian may enter the drawing. No scholarship application is required.
Students who receive another MEC scholarship during the same school year remain eligible for the Luck of the Draw.
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for MEC scholarship awards, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a dependent of an active MEC member.
- Must attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university, trade school, or technical school.
- Student Level:
- General & Electric-Focused Scholarships: Open to high school seniors through college juniors.
- High School & Luck of the Draw Scholarships: Reserved for graduating high school seniors.
How Recipients Are Selected
To ensure fairness, all applications are evaluated through an impartial third-party review process. Selection criteria include:
- Academic achievement
- Community involvement
- Work and volunteer experience
- Short essay response
- Two letters of recommendation
How to Apply
Ready to apply? Complete your submission online by following these simple steps:
- Complete the Online Application Form by clicking here.
- Submit Academic Records: Include a current transcript and ACT/SAT scores.
- Provide Recommendations: Upload two letters of recommendation.
- Submit Applicant Appraisal: Completed by a high school counselor, teacher, or advisor who knows you well. Click here to download the form.
- Complete the Essay: Submit your response to the required essay prompt. (250-500 words)
- 2027 Essay Topic: Cooperatives are built on the idea that people can accomplish more by working together. Describe a time you worked with others to solve a problem or achieve a shared goal. What did that experience teach you about cooperation, and how can working together strengthen a community?
Application Deadline: All application materials must be submitted online by February 26, 2027.
Questions?
If you have questions about the application process or eligibility guidelines, please contact us:
- Contact Person: Makenah Bundy
- Email: mbundy@mckenzieelectric.com
- Phone: 701-444-6723