Nursing Scholarships

This scholarship was established in 2011 by Kristine and Robert Solberg of Houston, Texas, to honor Kristine's mother Shirley. It reflects their desire to invest in the ongoing growth and development of the University of North Dakota. Kristine Solberg is a proud alumna of the UND Nursing B.S.N. program. The scholarship funds are intended to fund an undergraduate nursing student enrolled at UND.

Established in 2013 by Bonnie MacMaster Andersen and Mark E. Andersen of Napa, California, this endowment is intended to provide scholarships to deserving first year undergraduate nursing students who are enrolled in the University of North Dakota Nursing program, are in good academic standing, and who show promising leadership potential.

This scholarship was established in 1959 by the family and friends of Bertha Beck, RN, in respect and admiration for the contribution she made to health care and the nursing profession. Bertha graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1917, served in the Canadian Nurse Corps and did staff and private duty nursing in Winnipeg. She was active in numerous professional and civic organizations on the state and national level including serving as President of the North Dakota Tuberculosis and Health Association. While engaged in graduate work in New York, Bertha met and married Dr. Richard Beck who taught Scandinavian languages at UND.

This scholarship was established in loving memory of Clenora Evangeline Anderson Berge by her husband Arthur, her children Sharon and Arlin and her granddaughter Michelle. Clenora was from McVille, ND, and received her RN diploma from Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. She did post-graduate work in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Her husband, Arthur, was in the military and she worked at several hospitals as he was transferred throughout the country. Clenora loved her home and garden and always had beautiful flowers. Her church and faith were of primary importance to her. She died in December 1996 in Pugalleys, WA.

This fund was established by the family of Isabelle R. Brathovde to honor their mother's contribution to nursing. Belle, as she was called, received her diploma in nursing at Hillcrest Surgical Hospital, Minneapolis, MN in 1913. She married in 1915 and worked part time as a private duty nurse while they raised their six children. After her husband passed away in 1937, Belle took a nursing refresher course and moved to Grand Forks. During the remainder of her career, she was employed as a nurse in Grand Forks and Minneapolis. She was a lover of verse. A collection of her poems was presented to the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines by the Brathovde family.

This scholarship was established by John L. Burbridge in honor of his beloved wife, the late Nancy Shelley Burbridge, who died in 2015 at the age of 81.  Nancy earned her B.S.N. from the University of North Dakota and had a long and distinguished career in the Pediatrics Department of the University of Minnesota Hospital.  This scholarship is intended to provide funds to award a scholarship each year for one or more nursing students interested in Pediatrics.

Ruth Burrage, Professor Emeritus, established this scholarship to promote educational excellence within the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines. Ruth received her diploma in nursing from Peter Bent Brignam Hospital School of Nursing in 1929. She later earned her B.S. at the University of Rochester and her M.S. at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. Ruth taught at the (then) UND College of Nursing from 1951 to 1977. She served as Associate Dean at the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, chaired the building committee for the present College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines building and was active in professional and community organizations. Ruth passed away on January 14, 2002.

Established in 2013 by Sean and Saundra Christenson and friends, the Carly Christenson scholarship is intended to provide assistance to nursing students within the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines who have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Her parents, Sandy (Finneseth) Christenson and Sean Christenson are both UND alumni. As stated by her parents, "Carly was wise beyond her years and serious about her future. Even as a freshman at St. Louis Park High School, Carly knew her dream was to attend the University of North Dakota and study nursing." After touring the beautiful UND campus during Homecoming 2012, Carly saw a piece of her future." On January 8, 2013, Sean and Saundra Christenson's daughter Carly passed away from complications of influenza. She was only 14 years old. This endowment was established by Carly's family and friends as a way to keep her dreams alive.

This scholarship was established by Helen Churchill Wahlstrand, the daughter of the late William and Lucy Churchill, in honor of the contributions made by her loving mother and father and other pioneers who were the builders of our nation. The first scholarship was awarded in 2001. It is hoped that this endowment in her parents' honor and memory will inspire others to live meaningful and productive lives and be a lasting tribute to the moral strength and fortitude of her parents. This endowment alternates between the Nursing Program and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and provides scholarships for students with financial need who have demonstrated interest in the areas of nursing or medical research.

Lynne Stenehjem Ebner was a 1964 B.S.N. graduate of UND. Established by Lynne in 2011, this scholarship was first awarded in 2015. Allocations from this endowment shall be used to provide one or more academic scholarships to students enrolled within the Nursing program at UND.

This scholarship was established in 2000 by the family of the late Hilda Lybeck Flynn in honor of her dedication to the nursing profession and her distinguished service spanning over 40 years for the benefit of countless citizens of the Grand Forks community where she worked and lived. The Donors wish to recognize the important role Hilda and other pioneer North Dakotans played in the building and development of their communities, their state and nation. Hilda received her basic education in the Petersburg, ND, Public School prior to moving to Grand Forks. She graduated from the Deaconess School of Nursing in 1933. For over 40 years, Hilda worked at Deaconess Hospital as a registered nurse and then worked in Grand Forks as a private duty nurse.

Established by Kathryn Griffith, this scholarship is intended to encourage nursing students who demonstrate academic excellence and the potential for clinical and leadership excellence. Kathryn Howitz Griffith received her diploma in nursing from St. Johns Hospital School of Nursing in Fargo. After marriage in 1932 and settling in the Sarles-Osnabrock area she did private duty and on-call nursing without fee to area families during this depressed time. Mrs. Griffith retired in Grand Forks, and died at the age of 90.

Guy and Edith Hanawalt donated land to be used to establish a scholarship fund which shall be held in perpetuity, with the income from the fund to be distributed annually to a student or students pursuing a nursing degree who are deserving from a scholarship standpoint and needful from a financial standpoint.

The Foundation shall distribute allocations from the Fund each year for scholarships for students who are currently enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesia Program in the UND College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines. Students will apply for the scholarship in the fall semester and be notified about the award in the spring so they can accept it and plan for the following fall semester. The student will receive half ($500) in the fall and the other half ($500) the following spring semester.

Scholarship Critera

• Successfully completed first year of courses in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program. 
  • 2^nd year student
• Applicant must be in good academic and overall program standing.
  • Overall GPA 3.8 or higher
• Preferences given to the following:
  • North Dakota resident and/or ND high school graduate.
  • Plan to work in North Dakota or a rural site as a CRNA post-graduation.

Funds from the Haugen Scholarship Endowment are dedicated to scholarships for students in the Nursing program.

This scholarship was established by Nick J. Hertz and first awarded to a student in the 2024-2025 academic year. This scholarship is awarded to a nursing student with preference to a student from the North Dakota counties of Wells, Pierce, Sheridan, or McHenry.

Vicky R. (Jensen) McNicholl, an alumna of the UND College of Nursing, established the Tom and Shirley Hoffarth College of Nursing Scholarship Endowment in 2011. The scholarship is named in honor of her parents. Allocations from this endowment shall be used to provide scholarship support to a newly admitted student to the traditional nursing program. This student will maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 and continue to be involved in community or University activities. If this student maintains the required GPA level and shows standard progression through the Nursing program, they would be eligible to receive this scholarship for up to four years.

Wesley Hoffman was born in 1950 in Jamestown and grew up and attended school in Fullerton, North Dakota. He furthered his education at Ellendale Center - UND as a young man, and then purchased the family farm south of Fullerton in 1972. He passed away in 2013, leaving a legacy for future UND Nursing students.

Roxanne Hurley, a North Dakota native who grew up in Williston, ND is an alumna of the College of Nursing baccalaureate program (1980) and the graduate program in Adult Nursing (1985). She served on the UND Nursing Faculty for nearly 30 years teaching in the undergraduate program.  She had a passion for developing competent acute care nurses and encouraging professional nurse leadership, serving for many years as the Faculty Advisor to the Nursing Student Association and Nursing Student Council.  This scholarship was begun through a donation by her father & mother (John and Leone Schmitz) in recognition and appreciation for her passionate attention to their care and the care of her disabled sister in their advancing years.  The Alumni Foundation shall distribute allocations from the Fund each year for a scholarship for an Admitted Nursing Student with preference given to a North Dakota resident.  This student shall demonstrate high professional standards and leadership skills.  

The Margaret & Theodore Johnson Memorial Scholarship was established by her son, David Johnson, in 2012, to support deserving UND Nursing students. Margaret was born in Detroit, MI, a first-generation American and the daughter English immigrants. Her husband, Theodore, was also from Detroit and worked in the pharmaceutical business. Margaret graduated from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit. During her career she worked at hospitals, clinics, and a hospice. Margaret always described her priorities in this manner: God, family and nursing. She loved caring for the people who required medical care while at the same time extending her concern for family members. Today, Providence Hospital no longer has an undergraduate nursing program. David chose to support UND’s Department of Nursing because his son and Margaret’s grandson, Michael, graduated from UND in 2011. "She would have been so proud of him, the university, and the quality of students who attend UND."

Carol (Albertson) Kannegieter graduated from the UND College of Nursing with her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1959.  In 2019 Carol, desiring to support the ongoing growth and development of the Nursing Program, established a scholarship fund which distributes allocations from the fund each year for one or more scholarships for Nursing students.

Lorraine (Lori) R. Jensen, Florian Kosmatka, Daniel Kosmatka, Robert Kosmatka and Kathleen Ward, along with other family members and friends, honor the memory of a wonderful and caring sister, friend, and nurse by establishing the Deborah L. Kosmatka Memorial Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship will benefit students enrolled in the UND Nursing Program.

Audrey Windingland Krohn and Duane Krohn established this scholarship in 2021 to be awarded to one or more students each year who are majoring in Nursing and who are from North Dakota.

This scholarship was established by David Lambeth in honor of his late wife, Dr. Sharon Lambeth, Professor Emeritus for many years at the UND (then) College of Nursing. The scholarship is intended to support graduate students working on an independent study, dissertation or capstone project with preference given to students researching one of these specific areas: health care policy, cancer, or mental health/dementia.

Dr. Diane Langemo served as a Nursing faculty member at UND for many years. She established this scholarship to provide support to graduate Nursing students. Allocations from the endowment will be used to support a UND Nursing graduate student's thesis/dissertation research, with first preference for wound care research, second for cancer and third for mental health.

This endowment has been established through a testamentary provision by Paul and Lillian Larson within the UND Foundation. Allocations from this endowment shall be used to award an annual scholarship to a student with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who has been admitted into the Nursing program at UND. Eligible candidates must be from Walsh County, ND, or other specified counties. The recipient shall be of high moral character and have high potential to lead a successful career in the nursing profession.

The Leininger Family Nursing Scholarship Endowment was established in 2015 by Lynn and Shirlee Leininger and their daughter Carlee Doucette. Carlee received both her B.S.N. and M.S. degrees from the (then) UND College of Nursing. Lynn and Shirlee Leininger reside in Williston, ND. Allocations from the endowment will provide one or more scholarships to students earning a nursing degree at UND.

This scholarship fund was first established in 2013 by Cynthia R. Long. Allocations from this endowment will provide scholarships to junior or senior nursing students enrolled at UND who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship was first awarded in the 2023-2024 academic year.

This scholarship was established in 1986 by the family of the late Clara Lybeck in honor of her contribution and dedication to nursing. Clara graduated from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Forks in 1922, after which she joined the staff of the Deaconess Hospital. She remained at the Deaconess Hospital for 42 years assuming leadership positions as operating room supervisor, assistant anesthetist and Director of Anesthesia.

Because of the impact that Vivian Hanson Meehan had on his life, Christopher Athas of Highland Park, Illinois, has established this scholarship endowment in honor of Vivian’s lifelong dedication to women’s health. Allocations from this endowment will provide scholarship for students in the Nursing program at UND. Preference will be given to female nursing students who are residents of North Dakota.

Walter Mellem, desiring to leave a legacy in honor and memory of his beloved wife, established the Esther Mellem Memorial Nursing Endowment. Throughout her lifetime, Esther spoke of her desire to become a nurse. However, family commitments to her husband and children became her priority and she never fulfilled her dream of attending nursing school. It is in loving memory that her husband established this endowment to assist students who have been accepted into the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at UND. This endowment shall fund one scholarship each year to a hard-working student held in good academic standing and showing financial need.

Dr. Merrill served as the Dean of the then UND College of Nursing from 1986 to 1995 and subsequently established an endowment to further enhance and strengthen the Nursing program at UND. Allocations will be used at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines to enhance the quality of the Nursing program and to provide the best educational opportunities possible to student enrolled within the college.

Jane S. Nelson, an alumna of the (then) UND College of Nursing, established this fund to be split between priority needs and nursing student scholarships at the UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines.

Forrest and Emily Nielsen of Grand Forks established this endowment in 2012 to provide scholarships to students who are enrolled in the Nursing program at UND. The first scholarship was awarded for the 2016-17 academic year.

Drs. Thomas and Sandra Olson established this endowment to show appreciation for Sandy's degree from the College of Nursing and to invest in the ongoing growth and development of UND. Allocations from the endowment shall be used to support a scholarship for a junior or senior Nursing student who demonstrates the potential to lead a successful and productive career in the field of nursing. The recipient of this scholarship must show financial need and have graduated from a North Dakota or Montana high school.

This scholarship was established by the Rasmusson family to honor their mother, Margrete, and her parents who made her career possible. Margrete was a native of Dazey, ND. She received her diploma in nursing at the Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis and stayed on there to become the evening nursing supervisor. She played a major role in building and developing the Minneapolis community.

The Howard, Arlene, Henry and Marie Skjervem Scholarship fund was established from a testamentary gift from Howard Skjervem.  The fund is intended to provide one scholarship to a nursing student from North Dakota enrolled in the Nursing program at the University of North Dakota.

This scholarship was established by Ruth Sorlie Edick in honor and memory of her mother and aunt. Grace Sorlie (her mother) attended UND and taught school in Minneapolis and Grand Forks. In 1920 she married A.G. Sorlie and became first lady of North Dakota when her husband was elected Governor. Grace devoted herself to her three children and was active in many political and community organizations. Grace's sister (Ruth's aunt), Stella Mann, graduated with a BA degree from UND and later earned a masters degree from University of Iowa. She taught school and later at teachers' colleges. Her husband George Mann was owner of the Bismarck Tribune and after his death Stella took over as publisher, although she had no previous newspaper experience. She became a civic leader as well as being noted as one of Bismarck's most gracious hostesses. This endowment will support priority projects, including scholarships within the Nursing program.

This endowment was established by Constance (Connie) Tuntland or Coleharbor, North Dakota, due to a desire to provide a living memorial to honor her late husband, Mervin. Allocations from this endowment shall be used to provide funding for priority projects within the UND Nursing program. Such projects may include, but not be limited to, scholarship support, faculty enhancement, research, or equipment acquisition.

Jason J. Vasichek established this scholarship in Kathy’s name, specifying that allocations from the fund provide one or more scholarships each year for nursing students, with a preference given to students from North Dakota.

This endowment was initiated in 1989 by George and Edna Ward of Grand Forks, ND. George Ward was born near Michigan, North Dakota on June 17, 1905. Edna was born October 29, 1919 in Grand Forks County to John M. and Elizabeth Albright Schauer. Edna was employed at the University of North Dakota from 1969 to 1984. Many of those years were spent as custodian in the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines building. In recognition of her loyalty and dedication to UND, a room at the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines was named in her honor August 14, 1987. George Ward died January 7, 1991. Edna Ward passed away on November 23, 2001.

James C. and Janey C. Wendschlag of Versailles, Kentucky and Dwight D. and Peggy L. Wendschlag of Kalispell, Montana established this scholarship fund to provide one or more academic scholarships to students pursuing a mechanical engineering degree within the School of Engineering and Mines and to students pursuing a nursing degree within the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at the UND. Students shall demonstrate the ability to lead successful and productive lives and careers. Recipients should be a resident of North Dakota and be a junior in their major. Should the recipient attain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 through their junior year, they will be eligible to receive the scholarship for their senior year as well. No student shall receive the scholarship for more than two years.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an excellent opportunity for nursing students.  The VA offers nursing students the opportunity to gain valuable nursing experience by working for the VA.  In return the VA would like to offer scholarships to those nurses interested in working for the VA.  To qualify for the scholarship the student needs to be admitted to the program, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be willing to work at a local VA helping to care for our Nations Heroes. 

The scholarship details:

1. 100% tuition covered from the point of acceptance.
2. Monthly living stipend of $1,200 (tax free) while attending classes.
3. An additional one-time (annual) book stipend of $1,200.
4. Guaranteed employment with the VA (minimum 2 years) upon graduation and passing any required licensure/certifications.

Once employed, the VA offers its employees outstanding benefits, including generous paid time off, flexible work schedules and shifts, and opportunities to continue your education. 

The Nursing Education Loan Program is available to North Dakota students in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. This loan program is provided through the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

UND has an active Air Force ROTC unit. Scholarships may be available.

Air Force ROTC at UND 

UND has an active nursing Army ROTC unit. More information regarding available scholarships may be found online or by contacting the ROTC office at 701.777.3498.

This site is a result of a partnership between the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and CampusRN, a leading healthcare employment website. It includes an extensive scholarship search of sources specific to health care education. CampusRN

No fees charged for scholarship searches. Create personal profile to match with potential scholarships. Notifies students when new scholarships are added or deadlines are approaching. Fastweb

Helps calculate cost of education and how much colleges will expect you to pay. A Loan Analyzer compares loans to help you assess which is the best option. Multiple hyperlinks to other top financial aid websites. FinAid

The National Student Nurses Association provides support for nursing and pre-nursing students based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing students organizations and community activities related to health care. Applicants must be enrolled in U.S. approved schools of nursing pre-nursing associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, or generic doctorate or masters programs. NSNA