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The application program will be available again in December. Please return then to view the updated Eligibility and Awards for the upcoming academic year! If you are an applicant who would like to discover more scholarship opportunities you might qualify for, please continue to the Scholarship America Hub and sign up!

William H. McPherson, Jr. Scholarship Program
Application status: Closed

The William H. McPherson, Jr. Scholarship Program sponsored by the William H. McPherson, Jr. Scholarship Fund has established a scholarship to assist young adults of Koochiching County who plan to continue their education in graduate, college or vocational school programs. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.

Image of William McPherson, Jr.William H. McPherson, Jr. (Bill) received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1942 from Syracuse University and attended graduate school at the Institute for Paper Science and Technology in Appleton, WI. During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project (atomic bomb project) in Oak Ridge, TN, and thereafter returned to Appleton where he received his doctorate in paper chemistry. Bill moved to International Falls in 1952 so that he could become the supervisor of paper research with the new research lab owned by the Minnesota-Ontario Paper Company. In later years, Bill became the manager of the research laboratory, overseeing the activity of up to 50 scientific and technical employees.

Bill was very supportive of education, particularly in the sciences, and devoted much effort to Rainy River Community College, serving as a board member on the RRCC Foundation. The William H. McPherson, Jr. Scholarship Fund represents a goal that Bill had in mind for many years – that of supporting students of science.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants of the William H. McPherson, Jr. Scholarship award must be:

  • High school seniors or graduates or be current postsecondary undergraduates or graduate level students
  • Planning to enroll or be currently enrolled in full-time, undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
  • Enrolled or planning to enroll in a physical, life or health-related science including, but not limited to, chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, geoscience, nursing, dietetics, and nutrition
  • A current or past resident of Koochiching County for a minimum of one (1) year OR a graduate of a high school in Koochiching County, Minnesota

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $2,000 award or greater depending on available distribution and the number of qualified applicants.

Awards are not renewable. Previous recipients may reapply provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements and will be given preference in selection.

Financial need is not considered.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation or family members of William H. McPherson, Jr. play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • academic record
  • demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • honors
  • work experience
  • statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • an online recommendation

Notification

Applicants will be notified in April. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of William H. McPherson, Jr. Awards will be paid in one installment in early August.

As part of your application, you must upload the following document:

  • Current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Unofficial or online transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course, and term in which each course was taken

    NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of those test score(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than February 22, 2024 3:00 pm Central Time.

Your application is not considered complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.