"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

***Application deadline extended to June 8, 2026!***

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.

2026-2027

Noel Ackerman, Dakota County United Educators, Inver Hills Community College

Winter Adams, MAPE Local 1302, Metro State University

Deja Bowles, AFSCME, Metro State University

Said Djama, SEIU Local 26, Normandale Community College

Saiya Felton, Education Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State

Iyana Galloway, AFSCME Local 34, Metro State University

Kiana Hall-Tyson, AFSCME local 977, MCTC College

Zoe Knutson-Kolodzne, Minnesota State, Mankato, MSUAASF, Teamsters Local 320

Jonah Hang, SPFT, Minnesota State University - Mankato 

Lillian P Hang, ,SPFT, Minnesota State University - Mankato

Tamekia Jones, AFSCME Local 34, Metro State University

Maraya Larkin-Ford, Minnesota Teamsters Local 320. Dakota County Technical College

Eric Lasley, Carpenters, Metro State University

Edward Mugagga, Teamsters Local 638, Anoka Technical College

Jackline Oloo, UFCW Local 663, North Hennepin Community College

Emma Palm, Minnesota Teamsters Local 320, Winona State University

molly palm, Teamsters, Metro State University

Gabrielle Peal, Liuna Local 563, Century College

Dina Simon, American Postal Workers Union, St. Cloud State University

Ajaya Sunar, Teamsters Local 638, St. Cloud Technical & Community College

Willie Winston IV,  IFO, Winona State University


Linkoungla Agadja
Kocou Amoussou
Gadisa Birhanu
Estrom Ghebrai
Akoua Gnimavo
Lilian Hang

Om Harris
Zoe Knutson-Kolodzne
Eason Lor

2025-2026


Emma Palm
Molly Palm
Manisha Roberts
Sydney Robinson
Yawavi Souni
Jiksa Tafara
Willie Winston IV

Rheana Zero
Noel Dennis Ackerman
Winter Alexandra Adams,
Roseline Ameyaw
Amelia E Bistodeau
Savannah Kashia Mua
Roman Rodriguez
Margarita Irlanda Ruiz
Ishani Nirmal Shankar
Tiffany LeeAnne Walls