Harold and Laura Jorgenson Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Harold & Laura Jorgenson Memorial Scholarship Fund helps fund the educations of Duluth and Ely public schools graduates in environmental science, social work or related fields at the University of Minnesota Duluth or Vermilion Community College

Born to Norwegian immigrants, Harold T. Jorgenson grew up in Duluth, graduated from Denfeld High School and Duluth State Teachers College (now UMD), and received a masters degree in geography from Clark University in Massachusetts. Laura Laitala Jorgenson was born to Finnish immigrants on their homestead in Ely. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School, Ely Junior College (now Vermilion Community College), and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned a degree in social work.

Together they lived adventurous lives that included time in Alaska, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil and Washington, D.C. They regularly returned to the Laitala homestead on Shagawa Lake in Ely. They were proud of their progressive Minnesota heritage and grateful for the excellent education they received in their home state.

Eligibility 

  • Graduate of: Duluth Denfeld, Duluth East, Harbor City International School, Ely Memorial High School

  • Must attend: Vermilion Community College, University of Minnesota Duluth

  • Demonstrate Financial Need

  • GPA: 3.0 or higher

  • Field of study: Environmental Science or Social Work


Scholarship Grant Range

  • $2,000 up to 4 years (Total $8,000) 


Application timeline

  • This scholarship is part of the Universal Application: December 1 – February 15

  • ONE Universal Application: Create a profile in the scholarship portal. Fill out the first page of the universal application to filter through all of the scholarships you qualify for. 


Award Details

  • This scholarship may be used for expenses of post-secondary education at any accredited college, university or technical/ vocational school

  • Award Payments will be mailed directly to the school/ university 

    • Fall Payments are mailed July 15-30

    • Spring Payments are mailed December 15-30

  • Transferring Schools: Please contact DSACF if you plan on transferring schools. Transferring schools does not automatically transfer your scholarship. If a transfer occurs after scholarship money has been disbursed it may take up to 90 days to reprocess the scholarship payment. 


Tax information

DSACF encourages scholarship recipients to seek tax advice regarding scholarships. According to the IRS: Scholarships, fellowship grants, and other grants are tax-free if you meet the following conditions:

  • You’re a candidate for a degree at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities; and

  • The amounts you receive are used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.