scholarships
For questions on scholarships, contact Amy Thompson [email protected] or 701-284-4361
John G. Walters Scholarship
Application deadline: March 3, 2025
Named after Polar’s first general manager, the John G. Walters Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each is being awarded to fifteen graduating high school seniors who plan on continuing their education at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or vocational-technical school.
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Recipients’ parents or guardians must be full-time residents in the Polar Communications and Subsidiaries service area and have a voice or Internet service account.
Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship Program
Application deadline: February 14, 2025
FRS annually awards scholarships to rural students for their first year of 2-year or 4-year college or vocational school. All applicants require an NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association member company sponsorship to be eligible. Since its inception, FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships, empowering rural students to advance their communities with invaluable skill sets and experiences.
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The value of the scholarships ranges from $500-$9,000, based on various criteria. One application qualifies a student for all available FRS scholarships.
Recipients’ parents or guardians must be full-time residents in the Polar Communications and Subsidiaries service area and have a voice or Internet service account.
FRS Youth Tour
Application deadline: March 3, 2025
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour brings more than 100 high school students and chaperones from rural communities across the nation to Washington, DC, for five days to learn about legislative and agency processes and the important role of broadband services in rural communities. This unique educational experience provides an opportunity to visit Washington, DC, meet high school students from other states, and tour historical sites while also learning about Capitol Hill and the Federal government.
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Parents or guardians must be a voice or Internet customer in good standing of Polar Communications or its subsidiaries. Students must be a high school student age 15, 16 or 17 at the time of the Youth Tour. FRS will not accept any student age 18 or over. The Youth Tour is hosted in partnership with Polar Communications and the Foundation for Rural Service, a non-profit organization whose programs advance rural communities by focusing on education for rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to the challenges of providing broadband services in rural communities.
Students participating in the Youth Tour will be under the supervision of chaperones and FRS staff at all times.