St. Olaf Academic Scholarship Program
Award amount: $5,000-$14,000, renewable annually
About the Scholarship
St. Olaf's first academic scholarship program began in 1993 with the presentation of 23 Presidential Scholarship Awards. In 1994, the program was expanded and renamed the Buntrock Academic Scholarship Program in honor of the many accomplishments and contributions to the college made by alumnus Dean L. Buntrock '57, and his wife, Rosemarie.
Although there is a single application for these scholarships, the faculty and Admissions Office will confer three tiers of awards: the Buntrock Scholarship ($14,000/year), the Presidential Scholarship ($8,500/year), and the St. Olaf Scholarship ($5,000/year).
Many colleges that offer merit and talent-based scholarships prescribe strict criteria with respect to a high school GPA, test scores, class rank, etc. We have found that such measures may discourage strong students from highly competitive schools from applying. Respecting the differences among high schools, we do not set a minimum criteria for scholarship candidates and instead seek to evaluate a student's academic potential on a more individualized basis.
Requirements
There are no minimum standards placed on applying for the Buntrock Scholarship program. Selection of Buntrock award recipients is based primarily on academic performance in high school, and is highly competitive. In awarding these scholarships, St. Olaf seeks exceptional students with energy and initiative, independence, originality, a sense of humor, and concern for others.
How to Apply
In addition to submitting an application for admission, candidates interested in competing for the Buntrock Scholarship must complete and return the Scholarship Application, which is part of the Supplement to the Common Application, and submit or postmark it no later than December 1, 2007 for fullest consideration. A very limited number of Presidential and St. Olaf Scholarships will be awarded to students who apply after this date. Only those candidates who also wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must submit the CSS PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Up to 150 students will be selected as finalists for the Buntrock Scholarship and invited to campus for a series of programs and faculty interviews in March.
Students who attend the Scholars' Day events in March and are not selected as a Buntrock finalist will automatically be considered for a Presidential Scholarship.
Contact your admissions counselor at 507-786-3025 or toll-free 800-800-3025, or e-mail scholarships@stolaf.edu for other or more specific information about academic scholarships.
