With one application, students can apply for three scholarship opportunities. Students of Northern Electric Cooperative members who are currently enrolled in a postsecondary school or plan to enroll in the fall of 2026 can now apply for three cooperative-sponsored scholarships­—one from Northern and two from Basin Electric Power Cooperative. This year, Basin has increased the total amount to be awarded.

Bismarck-based Basin generates electricity for Northern Electric Cooperative and is awarding a $1,500 and a $1,000 scholarship to students within the Northern Electric service territory. Northern Electric is also awarding a $500 scholarship to a student whose parents/guardians are members of Northern Electric. The scholarships will be directly paid to the institution where the recipient is enrolled in the fall of 2026.

Students can apply for these cooperative scholarships by filling out one Basin Electric 2026 scholarship application. Applications can also be picked up at Northern Electric’s headquarters, at 2914 Industrial Ave, Aberdeen, SD.

In 2025, Maxwell Kulesa of Ipswich was awarded $1,000 from Basin and Ella Johnson of Frankfurt was awarded $500 from Northern. Kulesa is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at South Dakota State University, and Johnson is attending Mount Marty University pursuing a degree in nursing.

The scholarship application includes information about the student’s academic record, work experience, an applicant appraisal from an advisor or supervisor, and a one-page essay on the topic: How does the electricity provided by your electric cooperative improve the quality of life in your community?

The entire application must be completed and returned by mailing or dropping off the application at the Northern Electric Cooperative offices in Aberdeen or Redfield by the Feb. 9, 2026 deadline.

A committee of cooperative employees will critically evaluate the applications and award the $500, $1,000 and $1,500 scholarships from the pool of applicants.

SDAC NOW ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

The South Dakota Association of Cooperatives (SDAC) is now accepting applications for their 2026 Scholarships. SDAC is awarding two $1,000 scholarships to students who are members or whose parents/guardians are members of a SDAC member cooperative, such as Northern Electric. Preference will be given to applicants pursuing a degree related to a career at a cooperative.

Application deadline: March 1, 2026

Winners announced: April 30, 2026

The completed form and essay questions can be turned in to SDAC by email or mail.

Email: bforman@sdac.coop

Mail to: SDAC, 116 N Euclid, Pierre, SD 57501