The Small Business Education Fund encourages job creation and retention in the service territory of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation through a tuition-assistance program that strengthens management skills of those in small business.
In 1987, the foundation established the Small Business Education Fund with a grant from the Employers Council, formed in 1950 to promote better relations between business and labor. Scholarships from the fund are open to those in the foundation’s service territory (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis Counties in Minnesota and Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron and Price Counties in Wisconsin).
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible candidates are small business entrepreneurs, family members and key employees in the Duluth Superior area who have been in business for six months and who may potentially employ at least three full-time-equivalent employees. Financial need is not a factor.
VALUE & DURATION OF AWARDS
Financial assistance will cover up to 80 percent of tuition up to a maximum of $1000 and is made co-payable to the institution and the recipient. Students may reapply for further awards in subsequent semesters.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
Recipients may take classes which strengthen management skills at institutions such as, but not limited to, the following: Lake Superior College, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Wisconsin Superior, College of St. Scholastica, Northwood Technical College, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX).
