Scholarships

Scholarship Redemption Request Form

Available Scholarships

Held in April – an opportunity to win a scholarship ($1,000-$2,500) at the District level and up to $22,500 at the International level. 

Scholarship Contest Information

Other Optimist Projects

Requirements

Application

Online Application

NROTC

Requirement: Acceptance into a NROTC University

Applicants do not need to be related to Elk members to qualify

$1,000-$7,500 per year awarded

Elk Scholarship

Up to $15,000 a year towards the full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, housing, meals, and other expenses) at Bemidji State University when pursuing a degree in STEM fields.

STEM Scholarship

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is open to graduating minority students planning to attend a 4 year college in the United States who have not accrued more than 28% of college credits needed to graduate . 

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

$1,000 scholarship from the St. Cloud Community Foundation for senior class students attending a Central Minnesota High School. Twenty (20) scholarships are available.

Rox Community Foundation 

St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club

Visit this link for more information.

This is a full ride scholarship to St. Mary's University that includes full tuition for 4 years, basic room and board, laptop upon request

First Generation Scholarship

Requirements: Students who have faced significant adversity in their lives and demonstrate critical financial need ($65,000 or lower adjusted gross family income).

For more information visit site 2024 Horatio Alger Scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant's Adjusted Gross Household Income must not exceed $100,000
  • Must Graduate from a public, private, charger, magnet or STEM high school
  • Must have a GPA of 3.5
  • Must enroll in an eligible college or university the first semester following graduation
  • Must maintain a 4 year or less graduation schedule
  • Must work 240 hours prior to commencement of the fall semester in college.
  • This scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters.

HSF website 

Up to 50 - $1,000 scholarships and two - $6,000 scholarships

Open to high school seniors who are children of Jenni-O team members or are team members themselves.

Hormel Foods Inspired Pathways

For students interested in a career in law enforcement or first responder fields.

Greater St. Cloud Safety Foundation Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to individuals identifying as female who display strong academic and leadership skills, commitment to community, and a passion for entering the public finance of other financial sectors.

Total scholarship amounts vary; however, typically $5,000 or more may be awarded. 

Women in Public Finance

For students accepted and attending St. Cloud State University and are intending to major in elementary or secondary education. Amount awarded: $1,250

Huskies Scholarships

Minnesota Masonic Charities offers a unique program called The Selfless Scholar. A student looks beyond themself and nominates a fellow student to recognize an act of kindness that would otherwise go unseen.

The nominator and the nominee share a $5,000 scholarship. The nominator will also get to present the award to the nominee in a public setting such as Minnesota Masonic Charities scholarship Night. 

MN Masonic Charities

Local Scholarships

The Albany Federation of Teachers offers two scholarships to graduating seniors who intend to major in education.

  • Albany Federation of Teachers scholarship amount: $200
  • AFT Memorial scholarship amount: $200.

Albany Federation of Teachers Scholarship Application

The Albany Elementary & ELC PTO awards two $250 scholarships for students who attended Albany Elementary/ELC. 

Albany PTO Scholarship Application

The Avon Area Lakes Association offers two $500 scholarships.

Avon Area Lakes Association Scholarship

Avon Lions Scholarship Fund awards six scholarships of $500 annually. Applicants are eligible if they:

  • Are a graduating high school senior, have an Avon address AND reside within the 745 School District, OR
  • Have a parent that is a current member of the Avon Lions Club.

Avon Lions Scholarship Application

The Avon Women of Today Scholarship is available to senior students who are in the Albany School District or have an Avon, MN address. They offer two $500 scholarships to two female students. Selection is determined by a scholarship committee comprised of Women of Today members. 

Avon Women of Today Scholarship Application

Requirements: High school senior enrolling in post-secondary education, who has demonstrated academic leadership and/or potential to contribute to their community, who is going into one of the following fields (including, but not limited to):

  • agriculture
  • business
  • marketing
  • accounting
  • diesel mechanics

Belgrade Co-Op Scholarship Application

Albany Chrysler Center and TANI Division award five $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing a 2-year college program. Five hundred dollars will be rewarded after completion of each year.

Chrysler Center Application

A grant for seniors who have applied/been accepted into a program of higher education to receive a technology device. 

Community Technology Group Grant Application

Applicants must be graduating seniors attending Albany Area High School. Two (2) $3,000 awards shall be available per annum. 

Edward and Veronica Scholarship Application

The Lions Club of Freeport will make available two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools. Recipients of this scholarship must be enrolled in a post-secondary education institution. Submit application to the Counselor's Office. 

Freeport Lions Scholarship Rules and Regulations

Freeport State Bank will make available $500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Albany Area High School. Interested students are asked to submit a typed letter containing 500 words or less discussing the criteria that will be used to award the scholarships. 

Freeport State Bank Scholarship Eligibility and Instructions.

A $500 scholarship established in loving memory of Leo Kohorst by his family and friends. The scholarship will be awarded in the spring at the Senior Banquet. 

Leo Kohorst Memorial Scholarship Eligibility and Instructions

For students pursuing post-secondary education in a building trade. 

McDowall Company Scholarship Application

The "Pick Up the Mic" scholarship was established in 2005 for any senior at Albany Area High School who is interested in entering the field of communication, such as radio, television or newspapers.

Pick Up The Mic Scholarship Application

Rotochopper, Inc. of St. Martin is proud to sponsor the $1,000 Fred Peltz Memorial Rotochopper Scholarship in honor of their founder, Fred Peltz, for a graduating senior from Albany Area High School. This scholarship will be awarded to one student who is enrolled in a welding, fluid power/hydraulics, mechatronics, or engineering program at an accredited college, university, or vocational institute. 

Fred Peltz Memorial Rotochopper Scholarship Application