MVEC’s Commitment to Education means we are dedicated to lifelong learning for our member-owners, directors, and Team Members, ensuring everyone can contribute to the success of our co-op. Just as important, we invest in educating the next generation. Through scholarships, youth leadership programs like the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, and hands-on electrical safety demonstrations in schools, we help young people understand the value of cooperation, community, and safe energy use.
High School Scholarships
MVEC scholarships
MVEC awards fifteen $1,500 scholarships to area high school seniors each year. In addition, five at-large scholarships are drawn at MVEC’s Annual Meeting.
- Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors whose parents or legal guardians are MVEC member-owners.
- Scholarships are awarded by random drawing and are evenly distributed among MVEC’s three districts.
- Students from public, private, parochial, or home schools are welcome to apply.
- Scholarships are funded by MVEC’s Unclaimed Capital Credits, money that would otherwise be claimed by the State of Minnesota.
See the complete list of winners for 2026.
MVEC Scholarship Criteria
- Award: $1,500 scholarships are evenly distributed among MVEC’s three voting districts, funded largely through Unclaimed Capital Credits.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or non-traditional students (private, parochial, or home-schooled) whose parents/legal guardians are active MVEC members.
- Selection: Scholarships are awarded based on available funds, completed applications, and a random drawing within each district.
- Application: Must be received by the published deadline. Winners will be announced at MVEC’s Annual Meeting, where the student and a parent/guardian are asked to attend. Recipients agree to allow MVEC to use their name and photo in communications.
- School Requirements: Scholarships must be used at an accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, vocational/technical/trade school, or business college offering an associate degree). Recipients must begin classes the fall following the award.
- Academic Requirements: Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and full-time status (12+ credit hours or equivalent).
- Payout: After the first quarter/semester, students must submit grades and proof of registration for the next quarter or semester. Checks will be issued to the school and mailed to the student’s/parent’s home address.
Basin Electric scholarship
Basin Power Electric Cooperative, one of MVEC’s wholesale power providers, offers a $2,500 academic scholarship for a deserving MVEC member-student. This scholarship recognizes academic and community achievements and requires an essay and a teacher/counselor recommendation. Please send the scholarship application to MVEC’s mailing address or email [email protected].
This scholarship will be available next year.
Thank you, Basin, for this generous opportunity!
Washington D.C. Youth Tour
Youth Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid leadership travel opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors in MVEC’s service area.
One student, whose parent or guardian is an MVEC member, is selected to represent our cooperative in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour, held annually in June. The 2026 Youth Tour will be held June 15-20.
Each year, more than 1,800 students from across the nation take part in the Youth Tour. This unforgettable trip brings history to life as students explore museums, memorials, and monuments, while building lifelong friendships. They also join a network of more than 50,000 alumni from every walk of life.
MVEC’s representative travels with about 40 other Minnesota teens, sponsored by their electric cooperatives, to join the national delegation in Washington, D.C. One MVEC alternate is chosen to receive a $200 cash prize or attend the Youth Tour if the winner is unable to go.
Applications are closed for the 2026 Youth Tour.
Nora Doerr of Le Sueur-Henderson High School is our 2026 Youth Tour representative. Laura Harrington is the alternate.
Trip Highlights
- Fly from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
- Stay at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.
- Tour historical sites, including Arlington, National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Supreme Court, Washington National Cathedral, Library of Congress, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Archives, Iwo Jima Memorial, Old Town Alexandria, the White House (outside only) and more.
- Meet Minnesota political representatives and learn more about our local and national government.
- Hear featured speakers who provide insight into the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities.
- Create lifelong friendships with students from all around the country.
Previous Representatives
- 2026: Nora Doerr of Le Sueur-Henderson High School. Laura Harrington of Prior Lake, alternate.
- 2025: Anne Marie Cline of Southwest Christian High School is our 2025 Youth Tour representative
- 2024: Ava Joos of Chanhassen. Caitlyn Bahe of Chanhassen, alternate.
- 2023: Brandon Busch of Prior Lake. Ava Joos of Chanhassen, alternate.
- 2022: Savannah Berg of Carver. Tyler Sherette of Jordan High School, alternate.
- 2021: Trip was not held due to COVID-19.
- 2020: Nicholas Peterson of Chanhassen was selected, but due to COVID-19, the trip was cancelled. Peterson received a $1,000 college scholarship instead. Elijah Mechtel of Shakopee, alternate.
- 2019: Natalie Thoms of Savage. Abby Kunkel, alternate.
- 2018: Sam Meeker of Green Isle. Anna Holden of New Prague, alternate.
Youth Tour History
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association decided in 1957 that young people should visit the nation’s capital to see democracy in action. Soon after, Texas co-ops sent students to Washington, followed by Iowa and Illinois in 1958.
By 1959, 130 students were participating, and in 1964 NRECA began coordinating a national program. That first coordinated tour brought 400 students from 12 states.
Today, more than 1,800 students and 250 chaperones take part each year, meeting with legislators, exploring historic sites, and experiencing government firsthand.
FAQs for Parents
What is NRECA?
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), based in Arlington, VA, is the national service organization for electric cooperatives like MVEC. NRECA represents the interests of co-ops and the members they serve across the country.
What does it cost?
The Youth Tour is fully sponsored by local electric cooperatives. There is no cost to students. Participants may want to bring personal spending money for souvenirs.
Will my son/daughter be safe?
Yes. Student safety is the top priority. Each group is supervised by multiple adult chaperones, and NRECA staff are on-site at the hotel all week. A strict 11 p.m. curfew is enforced, and professional security guards patrol every hotel floor nightly. Students are accounted for at all times.
What if a medical situation arises?
NRECA provides two full-time, highly experienced nurses who are available 24/7 throughout the trip.
FREE electric safety demo for kids!
MVEC offers a simple but powerful electrical safety program called PowerTown. This FREE presentation is available to schools, Scout troops, and other youth groups during business hours, with limited after-hour options as schedules allow. You can also catch PowerTown at safety camps, fire department open houses, and other community events.
See PowerTown in action (video length: 3 minutes)
Be an Energy Explorer!
Check out these energy-themed quizzes, puzzles, and activity sheets for our favorite mini-members to download, print and complete!
