"And that job begets housing and also makes it possible for people to get the education they want. It creates the desire for education. Out of that comes everything else.”
Focused on the recruitment, retention and program completion of greater numbers of students of color
The scholarship program was established by the former Minnesota State University System in 1989, as a part of the universities' cultural diversity initiative. MSUSA assisted in the administration of the program from 1997 to 2006. The scholarship program currently operates as an independent entity.
The program honors Nellie Stone Johnson, a long-time member of the system's board. The endowment is a permanent reminder of Nellie's contributions to civil rights, human rights, and the rights of workforce cultural diversity initiatives.
Evidence has shown that success in completing college is in direct correlation to the financial assistance that is available. Scholarships also reduce students' dependence on loans and debt burden. The Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Program's scholarship monies come from private sources, including alumni, labor unions, company foundations, friends and other supporters.
Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Students are eligible for consideration for up to two years for a community or technical college program, up to four years of undergraduate work at a university (including two years in a community or technical college), and up to two years of graduate work.
School Affiliation
The applicant must be currently enrolled in or accepted into a program at a Minnesota State institution.
Union Affiliation
The applicant must be a union member or the child, grandchild or spouse of a union member.
Ethnicity
The applicant must be a racial/ethnic group member. "Racial/ethnic group member" is defined by the Minnesota State office of Equity and Inclusion (and for this scholarship) to include Black/African American, Chicano/a or Latino/a, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native.
Academic Standards
The applicant must meet academic and admission standards of the institution attending. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 grade point average for undergraduate students and 3.0 grade point average for graduate students to apply.
Credits Required
Full time status for undergraduate students is twelve (12) credits or more and graduate students is six (6) credits or more. Part-time status for undergraduate students is 6-11 credits.
Awards
Up to $1200 annually for part-time scholarship recipients and up to $2500 annually for full-time scholarship recipients.
Find additional details requiring the scholarship's requirements in Article Eight of the Program's Articles of Operation.
Recent Scholarship Recipients
We are proud to have supported the educational achievements of the following students.
2025-2026—Full time scholarship winners were awarded $1700-$1900 this year
Linkoungla Agadja, Riverland Community College, USW Local 142B
Kocou Jean-Paul Amoussou, Riverland Community College, United Steelworkers / Local 142 B
Gadisa Birhanu, Minnesota State, Mankato, UFCW Local 663
Esrom Teaghes Ghebrai, Minnesota State, Mankato, UFCW Local 663
Akoua Rachelle Gnimavo, Riverland Community College, UFCW Local 663
Lillian P Hang, Minnesota State, Mankato, Saint Paul Federation of Educators, local 28
Om Mwantya Harris, Metropolitan State University, AFL - CIO | AFSCME Local 34
Zoe Knutson-Kolodzne, Minnesota State, Mankato, MSUAASF, Teamsters Local 320
Eason Lor, Metropolitan State University, AFSCME Local 151
emma jeanne Palm, Minnesota State, Mankato, MSUAASF, Teamsters Local 320
molly anne Palm, Metropolitan State University, MSUAASF, Teamsters Local 320
Manisha Roberts, North Hennepin Community College, AFSCME Council 5 Local 2829
Sydney Elizabeth Robinson, Saint Cloud State University, Culinary Union 226 & Bartenders' Union 165
Yawavi Jean-Paul Souni, Riverland Community College, United Steelworkers / Local 142 B
Jiksa B Tafara, Metropolitan State University, MMA
Willie Winston IV, Winona State University, IFO
Noel Dennis Ackerman, Inver Hills Community College, Education Minnesota / Local # 2006
Winter Alexandra Adams, Metropolitan State University, MAPE Local Union
Roseline Ameyaw, Metropolitan State University, AFSCME
Amelia E Bistodeau, Central Lakes College, MAPE
Savannah Kashia Mua, Century College,American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO / Saint Paul Area Local
Roman Rodriguez, Ridgewater College, Roofers Local 96
Margarita Irlanda Ruiz, Metropolitan State University, AFSCME Council 5 - Local 638
Ishani Nirmal Shankar, Normandale Community College, Minnesota Nurses Association
Tiffany LeeAnne Walls, Metropolitan State University,APWU, AFL-CIO
Linkoungla Agadja
Kocou Amoussou
Ashley Berg
Gadisa Birhanu
Steven Chua
Azbayar Dashzeveg
Asia Fitzpatrick
Estrom Ghebrai
Akoua Gnimavo
Lolita Granados
Lillian Hang
2024-2025
Om Harris
Tierra House
Selah Jacoway
Zoe Knutson-Kolodzne
Arpin Leidy
Xufei Liao
Eason Lor
Jackie Lor
Ruth Lucht
Tahanee Madison
Pa Moua
Stella Nwachukwu
Molly Palm
Emma Palm
Manisha Roberts
Sydney Robinson
Sumia Sabrie
Yawavi Souni
Jiksa Tafara
Wesley Vue
Willie Winston IV
Rheana Zero