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Disability Services for Students

Grand Forks, ND

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH DISABILITY SERVICES

William and Janet McSparron Scholarship – for pre-freshmen and new undergraduate transfer students.

Award - $1,000.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Be admitted to UND.
  • Be a pre-freshman or new undergraduate transfer student.
  • Have a documented disability.
  • Enroll in 12 or more credit hours each semester the scholarship is received. Exceptions may be granted, if disability related. Contact a disability specialist at Disability Services for Students 701 777-3425 for more information.
  • Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Pre-Freshmen must have a minimum composite ACT score of 23.
  • Include a Letter of Recommendation verifying involvement in school and community activities and leadership ability.

NOTE: Students do not have to be affiliated with Disability Services for Students to apply.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 18, of each year. Application


Dougherty, Morrison and Sondrol Scholarships - for currently enrolled undergraduate students. Applicants fill out one application for all three scholarships.

Awards vary.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Have completed one semester as a full-time student and accumulated a minimum of 12 credit hours at UND.
  • Be an undergraduate.
  • Have a documented disability.
  • Students do not have to be affiliated with DSS to apply.
  • Must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours each semester the student receives the scholarship. If the disability prevents the student from being enrolled full-time, the student should see their Disability Specialist to discuss a possible exception.
  • Have at least a 2.5 UND GPA.
  • Previous award winners may apply; preference will be given to first-time applicants.

Any additional eligibility criteria are listed in the scholarship descriptions.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: End of the last business day in March of each year. Application

SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

WILLIAM AND JANET McSPARRON SCHOLARSHIP

William and Janet McSparron grew up in Grandin, North Dakota. In 1925, Mr. McSparron contracted polio during the beginning of his senior year of high school. As a result of the illness, he acquired a disability. After high school, he continued his education at UND and, with hard work and perseverance, earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Mr. McSparron worked for several companies and government facilities during his career. He was the supervisory engineer of design for the Naval Undersea Research and Development Center in San Diego when he retired in 1972.

During his distinguished career, he designed a mechanical scanning machine for sonar equipment used to guide the submarine Skate on its trip under the ice to the North Pole and a mechanical arm for the bathyscaph Triest which operated in depths of over 10,000 feet.

William McSparron died on February 8, 1997 and his wife Janet on October 2, 1998.

The criteria for nomination are: disability; number of credit hours completed; grade point average and financial need.

JOHN DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Dick Dougherty in memory of their son who was paralyzed in a swimming accident while a student at UND.

The criteria for nomination are: physical disability; number of credit hours completed; grade point average and financial need.

J.A. MORRISON SCHOLARSHIP

Judge Joe A. Morrison of Glencoe, Minnesota established this scholarship in memory of his father, Pembina County pioneer who lost an arm in a hunting accident.

The criteria for nomination are: physical disability; motivation to succeed and excel as demonstrated by the student’s prior record; demonstrated leadership in college and in the community; number of credit hours completed; grade point average and financial need. Priority will be given to students majoring in nursing, elementary or high school teaching, computer science or bio-medical research.

ELMER A. SONDROL SCHOLARSHIP

Leroy and Judy Sondrol established this scholarship to acknowledge UND students with disabilities and encourage them to continue achieving and serving others, as did the namesake of this scholarship Elmer A. Sondrol, Mr. Leroy Sondrol's father.

Elmer A. Sondrol acquired a disability as the result of a near-fatal accident in 1934. After a long recovery, he worked hard to establish a successful farming operation. He was active in community service and the local school board, working to insure that the youth in his community had access to a good education, an opportunity he never had.

The criteria for nomination are: physical disability; demonstrated hard work; the ability to succeed; grade point average and financial need.

Disability Services for Students
Room 190 McCannel Hall
2891 2nd Avenue North, Stop 9040
Grand Forks, ND 58202 9040
Telephone (701)777- 3425 Voice/TDD
Fax (701) 777 4170
Email: und.dss@email.und.edu