North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders -

In 1997, the NDCEL Board of Directors approved a system that provides financial assistance to children of regular NDCEL members who are full-time, post-secondary (college) students (Youth Award). The North Dakota Foundation for Educational Leadership, Inc. (NDFEL) was established to receive donations and distribute scholarship funds.

In 2005, the NDFEL Board of Directors established the Larry A. Klundt Educational Leader Award.  This scholarship is for NDCEL full/active members who are working on a masters or doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

 In 2014, The NDFEL Board of Directors established the Jerry Bartholomay Aspiring Administrator Award. This scholarship is for NDCEL aspiring administrators/student/intern members who are working on a masters or doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

 NDFEL has 501(c) 3 status with the Internal Revenue Service so that the donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible. 

NDCEL Financial Awards Program 

FUNDING:
The funding of the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders (NDCEL) Financial Awards Program will be derived through contributions, memorials, and honorariums from members and friends of the NDCEL.  The monies collected will be deposited with the North Dakota Foundation for Educational Leadership (NDFEL), Inc.  Ninety percent of the deposits shall remain as an endowment and ten percent plus all interest and dividends can be distributed as financial awards and used for operating expenses such as advertising and mailings.  The NDCEL or its designee will regulate all of the monies.

AWARDS:
There will be four financial awards given by the NDFEL, the Youth Scholarship Award, the Dr. Larry A. Klundt Educational Leader Award, the Jerry Bartholomay Scholarship for Aspiring Administrators Award, and the ESAND Educational Scholarship.

The first financial award, the NDFEL Youth Scholarship Award, will be given to children of regular (full/active) NDCEL members only.  The financial award will be given the second semester of each school term.  The number of financial awards and the amounts of each award will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the NDFEL based on monies available.  The financial award could vary in amount and number each year.  The NDFEL Board of Trustees has the right to vary the amounts awarded.  The awards can be banded or grouped and the minimum eligibility criteria shall be a 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale.  The minimum NDCEL Financial Award shall be $500.00 

The second financial award, the Dr. Larry A. Klundt Educational Leader Award, will be given to regular (full/active) NDCEL members who are admitted to and working on a masters or doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of North Dakota or North Dakota State University.  The financial award, which will be given the second semester of each school term, will rotate every other year between the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University beginning with the University of North Dakota in 2006.  The number of financial awards and the amounts of each award will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the NDFEL based on monies available.  The financial awards could vary in amount and number each year.  The NDFEL Board of Trustees has the right to vary the amounts awarded.  The awards can be banded or grouped and the minimum eligibility criteria shall be a 3.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale. The NDFEL Board of Trustees will give the financial award to the applicant who meets the minimum eligibility criteria and shows promise to advance education in the field of educational leadership.  The minimum NDCEL Financial Award shall be $500.00. 

The third financial award, the Jerry Bartholomay Scholarship for Aspiring Administrators, will be given to NDCEL members who are an active administrator, or associate, or student/intern/aspiring administrator and who are admitted to and enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at a North Dakota institution of higher education. The minimum NDCEL Financial Award shall be $500.00. 

The ESAND Educational Scholarship will be given to a student (who does not have to be affiliated with NDCEL in any way) who shows interest in an Education or Business Degree. The applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Focus not only on grades but extracurricular activities and the character of the applicant. The minimal financial award shall be $500.00.

At every conference, we have a donation box for the NDFEL Scholarship. It will usually be presented as a jeans day. If you wear jeans, bring a donation!

ALL applications are due June 1, 2025. Recipients will be notified in July 2025.