You must complete all parts of the application

Applicant Information

Applications are due by the end of the day on Friday, December 12, 2025.  Scholarships are awarded in the 2025-2026 school year, so please base the application on your current academic classification.

Each year, we offer the following awards to qualified candidates:

• Elwood Caldwell Scholarship Award for Volunteer Service
• Dr. Dash Scholarship Awards for Academic Excellence
• Graduate Scholarship Awards
• Undergraduate Scholarship Awards
• IFT FIRST Annual Meeting Travel Awards

Eligibility

Graduate Students are not eligible to receive the Scholarship Award in consecutive years. However, there is no eligibility restriction for Travel Award.

Previous winners of the same education level are not eligible to receive scholarships. However, there is no eligibility restriction for Travel Award. MN IFT Scholarship recipients must be MN IFT student members attending one of the following schools:  

• Minnesota State – Mankato
• North Dakota State University
• South Dakota State University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls
• University of Wisconsin-Stout

To become a MN IFT member, learn more here.

The letter should include essential facts regarding your scholastic record, character, and extracurricular activities.

The person writing the recommendation should state how they came to know you and your academic abilities, and they also should state other sources of support for your IFT FIRST Meeting Attendance expensesabove and beyond Travel Award. The recommendation letter should be sent directly to the Scholarship Chair by the recommender.

The MN Section of the IFT sponsors the Elwood Caldwell scholarship to recognize, encourage and reward volunteer service by students. The scholarship is given in recognition of University of Minnesota Professor Emeritus Elwood Caldwell for his many years of service to the Section. It is the premier scholarship for students in the MN IFT section. The Caldwell recipient must be a student member of the MN IFT. Additionally, the student must have demonstrated:  

1) Commitment to the MN IFT Section by his/her volunteer service (25 points)

AND / OR  

2) Commitment to the betterment of the community in which he/she lives (25 points).

Please note: Leadership roles in volunteer activities are especially valued. Academic excellence is also encouraged, but shall not be used as a sole criterion in distinguishing among nominees.

We will ask that the person who recommended you send the letter. Details on where to send will be provided in your confirmation email.

MN IFT Scholarship and/or Travel Award Recommendation Letter

The letter should include essential facts regarding your scholastic record, character, and extracurricular activities. The person writing the recommendation should state how they came to know you and your academic abilities, and they should also state that they will support your IFT FIRST Meeting Attendance expenses above and beyond Travel Award.

The recommendation letter will be sent directly to the Scholarship Chair by the recommender via this application.

Caldwell Nomination Letter

One (or more) nomination letter(s) must be submitted to complete the Caldwell scholarship application. The nomination should be written by a peer, professor, industry professional or other person familiar with the character and volunteer service exhibited by the nominee. The nomination should be sent directly to the Scholarship Chair by the nominator. The nomination should highlight the nominee’s volunteer service and leadership activities.

This nomination is the most important part of the Caldwell scholarship application evaluation.