Scholarships

Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week

In recognition of students with high academic standards, and dedication to community and extra-curricular activities, F.E.M. Electric teams up with other electric cooperatives across eastern SD to recognize these students. School principals and faculty from across the state submit nominations for the award. KSFY TV selects a student each week for the $100 scholarship. Selections are based on excellence in the classroom and service in the community. Each week's winning student is profiled during a 6 p.m. newscast of KSFY TV. In addition to being honored as a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the week, the scholar is then eligible for the $1,000 Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year which is presented in May.

FEM Electric's Students Selected for Scholar of the Week:

Week of Dec. 12-Dec. 18, 2010 Douglas Kallas, Leola High School

Week of Oct. 10-Oct 16, 2010 Frankie Lux, Eureka Public School

Week of Jan. 30- Feb. 5, 2011 Whitney Geditz, Ipswich High School

Week of Feb. 6-Feb. 12, 2011 Rachel Fuhrmann, Ipswich High School

Basin Scholarship

The $1,000 Basin Scholarship is part of the Rural Electric Cooperative Scholarship Program developed and funded by F.E.M. Electric's power supply partner, Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Basin Electric operates the coal-based plants in North Dakota that generate more than one-half of the electricity used by F.E.M. members.

Each of the 124 member cooperatives of Basin Electric will award a scholarship to a dependent of a consumer. That means one student whose parents are F.E.M. Electric members is assured to win a $1,000 scholarship.

The award is designed to encourage and recognize the academic achievements of the children of F.E.M. Electric Association members. The scholarship must be used for educational costs and applicants must be enrolled or entering college in the fall of the school year in which the scholarship is given.

Eligibility - Applicants must be U.S. citizens and natural or adopted children of F.E.M. Electric members. Any applicant must be a student who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time graduate or undergraduate course of study at an accredited, two-year or four-year college university or vocational/technical school.
Selection Process - The scholarship awards are based on academic excellence and all applications are judged using a combination of the following criteria: SAT/ACT scores, grade-point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, a statement by the student explaining his/her educational and career goals, and a written recommendation by a third party. Applications will be evaluated by an independent judge for F.E.M. Electric and then submitted to Basin Electric for scholarship distribution.
How to apply - Applications will be available from local high school guidance counselors or directly from F.E.M. Electric in late December or early January. Applicants must provide all required information and complete the scholarship application. Completed applications are usually due around mid-February.

For more information, contact our Member Service Department at 605-426-6891 or 1-800-587-5880.

FEM Electric's Scholarship Winners

2011

Frankie Lux, $1,000 Basin Scholarship
Jenna Morlock, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship
Susan Wik, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship

2010

Stephanie Palmer, $1,000 Basin Scholarship
Blake Eisenbeisz, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship
Jake Meyer, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship

2009

Joseph Kilpfel, $1,000 Basin Scholarship
Rachel Hettich, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship
Sara Mack, $500 FEM Electric Scholarship