The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to heighten awareness among young people about Minnesota’s Grassroots Township government. The program encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for Juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
FIVE total scholarships of $2000 each to be awarded!
The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to offer a township scholarship program for high school Juniors in the state of Minnesota. Up to FIVE $2,000 scholarships will be awarded.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a nonprofit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage, future and being a voice for its roughly 9,000 officers. It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient and economical town governmental services and acts as a liaison between township officers and other local government officials to encourage sustained cooperation.
The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to heighten awareness among young people about Minnesota’s Grassroots Township government. The program encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for Juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay using critical thinking discussing this year’s topic.
2023 Essay Topic: Promoting Township Government.
The question is: “Representation of people and ideas is the hallmark of government in the United States. No level of government is as close to its constituents as the township. Today’s townships face several challenges, including decreasing populations, annexation pressures from cities, declining interest in public service, growing demands from constituents, and a distrust of government. Considering these challenges, what do you see as the future role of townships in local government?"
Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing. Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay. Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation.
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit a current high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor. All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, MN 55376, postmarked by June 1, 2023. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after June 1 will not be accepted.
ELIGIBILITY
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university, or vocational school are eligible for this program. Student cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay using critical thinking discussing this year’s topic.
Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing. Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay.
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit a current high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor. All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to:
Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 267
St. Michael, MN 55376
Must be postmarked by June 1. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after June 1 will not be accepted.
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. Winners will be notified in writing in September and will be invited to attend the MAT annual conference in December in St. Cloud, MN. Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of enrollment at a college, university, or technical school.
To help students with the essay question, here are some helpful links to articles and documents:
Links will be added soon
Past Essay Topic:
The Minnesota Association of Townships has the responsibility to promote public understanding of the heritage and future of Township Government and its role in the State and Federal systems. What are some ways that MAT could promote awareness of township government and inspire township residents and Boards to become involved?
