Cooperative Scholarships

Each year Northern Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative provide a $500 and a $1,000 scholarship respectively. The selection of the winners is based on SAT/ACT scores, grade point average, an application outlining high school/college honors, community and school activities, employment history, future career goals, a short essay focused on an electricity or cooperative theme and a written recommendation by a third party.

Applications are now closed for the year. Please check back in 2025.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

Northern Electric Cooperative

PO Box 457

Bath, SD 57427

Applications can also be dropped off at the Northern Electric Cooperative office on U.S. Highway 12 in Bath, SD, by the deadline.

To find the location of the Northern Electric office follow this link.

2023 Scholarship Winners

Ethan Boekelheide ($1,000)

Northwestern Area High School senior Ethan Boekelheide has been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

Browning has a 4.0 grade point average and is involved in pep band, marching band, and jazz band. He was a member of the 2021-2022 South Dakota State University Honor Band and has been an all-state band, jazz band, and orchestra participant. Boekelheide was the captain of the cross-country team this year and is a state qualifier in track. Boekelheide is also involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), was elected as the Public Utilities Commissioner at the 2022 Boys State event and has been a member of the Northwestern Science Bowl team during his four years of high school.

“This scholarship will help me fund my education, and it will increase my financial stability after college graduation,” Boekelheide said.

Boekelheide plans to attend South Dakota State University in the fall where he will pursue a degree in agricultural business with a minor in commodity risk management to prepare for a career on his family’s farm.

Abbilyn Kaan ($500)

Abbilyn Kaanof Aberdeen will receive a $500 scholarship from Northern Electric Cooperative.

Kaan is in her final year at Aberdeen Central where she has a 4.08 GPA. Kaan is involved in jazz band, symphonic band, marching band, show choir and a capella choir. Kaan has been inducted into the National Honor Society and has volunteered with the Salvation Army in Aberdeen.

Kaan plans to enroll at the University of North Dakota in the fall and pursue a degree in Atmospheric Sciences. She would like to work for the National Weather Service.

“This scholarship will help me accomplish my goals by relieving some of my financial burdens. This will help me pay for credits that overall go to my degree which will help me get a great job.”