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Scholarships

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Power Line Construction & Maintenance

The Current and Incoming Scholarship application periods are open.

The Current and Incoming Scholarship application periods are closed.

The Current Student Scholarship Application is now open until November 1st. Make sure you complete the general application and answer all the questions at https://mitchelltech.awardspring.com/. If you are a full-time dual credit student, you are not eligible for these scholarships. Please contact Robin Jacobsen with any questions.

The Incoming Student Scholarship Application is now open through March 31, 2025. Complete the general application and answer all the questions at https://mitchelltech.academicworks.com/. Please contact Robin Jacobsen with any questions.

$1000

Otter Tail Power Company

Must be enrolled full time in the Powerline Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Substation or Wind Turbine Technology program Must maintain a GPA 2.0 or higher Must complete the MTC Foundation Online scholarship application Must be from an Otter Tail Power Company Service Area
$750

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

The South Dakota Municipal Electric Association (SDMEA) consists of 35 member municipalities dedicated to providing reliable electricity to approximately 100,000 residents across South Dakota. The association works collaboratively to ensure efficient, community-focused electric service and advocates for the interests of municipal utilities within the state. This scholarship was created by the SDMEA to support workforce development within the electric utility industry. Its primary goal is to encourage students with an interest in the power industry to continue their educational pursuits and to remain connected with their hometown municipal electric utility. The scholarship aims to strengthen local communities and ensure a skilled, engaged workforce for the future.
Powerline Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Utilities Technology
Must be a resident of one of the SD Municipal Electric Association’s 35 member communities, enrolled in an electric related program, and have minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
$500

Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Electrical Utilities & Substation
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Applicant must be a full-time student in the Electrical Utilities & Substation, Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Heating & Cooling, Agricultural Business or Agronomy program at Mitchell Technical College Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA Student must be a member or dependent of a member of Central Electric Cooperative based in Mitchell, SD Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Student must provide member name on account and Central Electric will verify membership status before recipient is announced
$1000

Xcel Energy

The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to Power Line and Electrical Utilities and Substation recipients on their second semester account, and for Automation Controls/SCADA recipients accounts the following Fall semester.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants must be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Power Line Electrical Utilities and Substation Automation Controls/SCADA Wind Turbine Technology Applicant must complete the MTC Current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship.
$1000

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 2013.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled at MTC in one of the programs mentioned Applicant must complete the MTC scholarship application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship First priority will be given to students with ties to a SDAC member cooperative Essay responses will be a large part of the recipient decision
$1000

Northwestern Energy Scholarships

NorthWestern Energy has been an active supporter of Mitchell Tech through donations of scholarship funds and equipment since 2003. The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to PL accounts the Spring semester and the following Fall semester for ECM, SCADA and WTT two-year program recipients.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants can be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Electrical Construction and Maintenance Power Line Construction and Maintenance SCADA Wind Turbine Technology – 2 year Natural Gas Technology Applicant must complete the MTC online application and submit references if required during the open application periods as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above
$500

Mark And Kathy Hofer Endowed Power Line Technology Scholarship

Mark and Kathy Hofer are avid supporters of Mitchell Tech’s Power Line and Construction program. Mark has served on various electric cooperative boards for several years both on a local and national level. The Hofer’s have sponsored this scholarship since 2007 and created an endowed fund in 2014 to support the Power Line Scholarship and Wind Turbine Technology Scholarship. The Power Line award recipient will be selected by the SD Line Superintendents from applications provided by the Mitchell Technical College Foundation from those received during their Fall application period. The scholarship will be awarded at the beginning of the second semester each year and applied to the recipient’s account the same semester.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be currently enrolled full-time as a student in the Power Line program at MTC Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above Applicant/parent/guardian must be a member of a SD Electric Cooperative Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
$1000

East River Electric Cooperative Scholarship

East River Electric Cooperative has been providing scholarship funds to Mitchell Tech since 2003. This scholarship is provided annually for a student in the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. The scholarship will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account for the Spring semester.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at MTI in the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
$1000

Dennis Merchant Endowed Scholarship

The endowment was established in 2012 by the family of former MTC Power Line instructor, Dennis Merchant. Merchant spent his entire working career in the power line industry and taught the Power Line Technology program at Mitchell Tech from 1974 to 1988. He and his wife Dorothy then made their business, Merchant Job Training and Safety Program, their priority. Merchant passed away in February, 2012. His family continues to run this business, now located in Brookings, SD. The scholarship will be announced in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the Spring semester.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be enrolled full-time in the MTI Power Line Construction and Maintenance program Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must complete the MTI online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
$500

Dennis Knouse Memorial Scholarship

The fund was established in 2013 by family, friends and co-workers of Dennis Knouse. Knouse was a 1979 Electrical Construction and Maintenance graduate from Huron, SD who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010. Funds for the scholarships are provided by a Poker Run held each summer. The scholarship will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the following Fall semester.
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be currently enrolled as a first year full-time student in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Power Line or Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology at MTC Applicant must complete the MTC current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship The scholarship will be awarded in January to Power Line or EUST recipients and applied to their account for the second semester or to an ECM recipient and applied to their account the following Fall semester. Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above Financial need and indication of strong desire to make a career in the field required
$500

Cadden J. Burgess Memorial Powerline Scholarship

Cadden grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Stevens High School in 2011. He attended MTC and graduated from the Powerline program in 2014. Being Cadden was so full of life, he always pushed it to the limit. After graduating from MTC he worked for Forbes (previously Timberline) and later moved to Altitude. During his time at Forbes, he successfully completed his Journeyman courses from Northwest Lineman College. Cadden was the first employee from Forbes to complete the Journeyman courses and traveled extensively with work and loved it. Cadden at the age of 27 died unexpectedly of a heart condition in Gillette, Wyoming.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be first year, full time in the Powerline program at MTC Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
$500

Brian Zambo Fallen Linemen Organization Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The scholarship endowment was established in 2014 by family, friends, co-workers and the Fallen Linemen Organization in memory of Brian Zambo. After graduating from Mitchell Tech in 2003, the Watertown native moved to California to pursue his career. After several years in California, he returned to South Dakota and accepted a position with Xcel Energy. Brian Zambo passed away December 31, 2013. The scholarship will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the Spring semester.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Applicant must be a first year full time student studying Power Line Construction & Maintenance Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship
$1000

Black Hills Energy Scholarship

Black Hills Energy established this scholarship for Power Line Construction and Maintenance students in 2019. Black Hills Energy and the Black Hills Corporation have been recorded supporters of the Mitchell Technical College’s Energy programs with cash donations, various pieces of equipment and supplies for students, and provided scholarship funding the Mitchell Technical College Alumni Association Golf Tournament since 2012.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
The applicant must complete the MTC Online Scholarship application to be eligible for this scholarship. Applicant must provide an online reference if requested. The applicant must be a fulltime student enrolled in the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. The applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. First preference will go to applicants from the Black Hills Energy electric service territory area: Pennington, Meade, Lawrence, Custer, Butte and Fall River counties or Weston County Wyoming. Second preference is to students in Black Hills Energy other operating states of NE, WY, IA, KS, AR, CO and MT.
$500

Bartels Endowed Scholarships

Keith & Glynn Bartels have been active and instrumental members of the Mitchell Technical Institute Foundation and have a passion for education and Mitchell Technical College. They have chosen to establish a scholarship endowment with the Mitchell Technical College Foundation which provides $500 scholarships each year. The scholarships will be awarded to any Power Line recipients in January each year and applied to recipient’s account in the Spring semester. All other scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s accounts the following Fall semester.
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Medical Laboratory Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
* Applicant must be a fulltime first year student studying Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Medical Laboratory Technology, Power Line Construction and Maintenance, or Wi-Fi and Broadband Telecommunications * Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship
$500

The Vickers Family Scholarship

The Vickers Family Scholarship was established in 2022. Chad Vickers graduated from the Computer Systems Technology program in 1996. His brother, Austin Vickers, graduated from the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program in 2009 and Chad and Jennifer’s son, Jude Vickers, graduated from the Business Management program in 2021. The Vickers Family attributes much of their life successes to the education they received from Mitchell Tech. This scholarship is for incoming students in either the Business Management, SCADA/ Automation Controls, or Power Line Construction and Maintenance program and is awarded for the Fall semester.
Business Management
SCADA/ Automation Controls
Power Line Construction and Maintenance
On Campus
* No GPA greater requirement * Incoming student * Must be enrolled full time in Business Management, SCADA/ Automation Controls, or Power Line Construction and Maintenance program and is awarded for the Fall semester. * Applicant must complete the MTC Online Application to be eligible to receive this scholarship
$1000

Jeffrey L. And Trudiann Nelson Rural Electric Endowment

The Jeffrey L. and Trudiann Nelson Rural Electric Endowment was established in December of 2013 in celebration of Jeff’s retirement from East River Electric. Several of Jeff’s counterparts in the industry, East River Electric, and Jeff’s family came together to complete the endowment on behalf of Jeff and his wife Trudiann in honor of Jeff’s commitment to Mitchell Tech and the industry he served. Nelson has offered his support of Mitchell Tech through his involvement in Mitchell Tech’s Strategic Advisory Committee, program Advisory boards and most recently as a member of Mitchell Tech’s Foundation Board.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled in the Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Utilities & Substation, Automation Controls/SCADA, and Wi-Fi Broadband Technologies/Telecommunications programs Applicants must complete the MTC Incoming student online application during the open application period to be eligible for this scholarship