Scholarships
Wright-Hennepin’s local schools scholarship
WH began a scholarship program in 1988 and has since awarded more than $874,450 to local students.
Money for the scholarship fund comes from unclaimed capital credits and donations from WH Holding, which provides the legal structure for WH Security, WH International Response Center and WH Services (WH Appliance Repair and WH Tree Services). By funding the program this way, the scholarship awards are not funded through members’ electric rates.
Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $1,500 per recipient.
Each year, WH sponsors one scholarship at each of the following public schools: Annandale, Buffalo, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Heritage Christian Academy, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Maple Grove, Maple Lake, Monticello, Orono, Osseo, Parnassus Preparatory School, Rockford, Rogers, St. Michael-Albertville, Terra Nova, Watertown-Mayer, Wayzata, and Wright Technical Center.
The schools listed above select their scholarship winner and have varying application deadlines. For your specific school's deadline, check with your guidance counselor.
At-large scholarship
Wright-Hennepin also offers one "at-large" scholarship for students who attend private schools or schools that neighbor Wright-Hennepin's electric service territory. One at-large scholarship is awarded annually, in the amount of $1,500.
The at-large scholarship application was due to WH by April 1, 2025. At-large applications can be sent to:
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Attn: Katie Durnin
PO Box 330
Rockford, MN 55373.
Note: If you attend one of the high schools listed in the "local schools scholarship" section above, you must apply through your school. You are not eligible for the at-large scholarship. If you have any questions about the application process, contact Katie Durnin at (763) 477-3046 or kdurnin@whe.org.
Edward R. Slebiska Memorial Line Worker Scholarship
Ed Slebiska was WH’s founding CEO, holding that position from the cooperative’s inception in 1937 until his retirement in 1977. Up to three scholarships are awarded annually to men and women in WH’s service territory who want to pursue a career as an electric line worker.
Applications were due April 1, 2025 and can be sent to
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Attn: Katie Durnin
PO Box 330
Rockford, MN 55373.
If you have any questions about the application process, contact Katie Durnin at (763) 477-3046 or kdurnin@whe.org.
NEW! WH Security scholarship
New this year, WH Security (WHS) is offering one $3,000 scholarship to Minnesota individuals pursuing education and training in fields relevant to technology systems work.
Applications were due April 1, 2025 and can be sent to
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Attn: Katie Durnin
PO Box 330
Rockford, MN 55373.
If you have any questions about the application process, contact Katie Durnin at (763) 477-3046 or kdurnin@whe.org.
Basin Electric scholarship
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, one of WH’s wholesale power suppliers, awards scholarships annually to its distribution cooperatives’ members, and descendants of employees who work at those cooperatives. Read more about this scholarship.
Please submit completed applications to:
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Attn: Katie Durnin
PO Box 330
Rockford, MN 55373.
If you have any questions about the application process, contact Katie Durnin at (763) 477-3046 or kdurnin@whe.org.
Basin Scholarship applications needed to be submitted to WH by February 3, 2025. WH will submit finalists to Basin, who will choose a winner.