The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to offer the 2026 MAT Scholarship Program, awarding up to five $2,000 scholarships to Minnesota high school juniors. The program encourages students to learn about township government and the important role it plays in serving local communities.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in the 11th grade

• Attend a Minnesota public, private, parochial, or approved home-study program

• Reside in a Minnesota township (new for 2026)

• Plan to continue their education at a college, university, or technical/vocational school

Applicants are not eligible if they are the child, stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, or step-sibling of a current MAT Director or MAT staff member.

2026 Essay Topic

Townships depend on safe and efficient roads for residents, farmers, businesses, and emergency services, and county road engineers play a vital role in helping many townships achieve this goal.

Essay Question:

What are the various ways in which townships work with and depend on county road engineers? Why are county engineers crucial for township road systems and community needs? Additionally, what steps can schools, local governments, and communities take to encourage more students to pursue careers in civil engineering and public works, especially in rural Minnesota?

Download the 2026 MAT Scholarship Application

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Completed scholarship application

• Essay (see requirements below)

• Current high school transcript

• One letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor

All materials must be submitted together in one envelope and mailed to:

Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 267
St. Michael, MN 55376

Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Essay Requirements

• 450–500 words

• Typed and double-spaced

• Demonstrate critical thinking while addressing the essay topic

• Do not include your name, school, hometown, or the names of local officials within the essay

Essays will be judged by an independent panel based on:

• Originality

• Knowledge and understanding of the topic

• Quality of supporting information

• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Scholarship Awards

Recipients will be notified in writing in September 2026 and invited to attend the MAT Annual Conference in December.

Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the student's college, university, or technical school's financial aid office after enrollment has been verified.

Research Tips

To help prepare your essay:

• Explore the MAT website to learn more about Minnesota townships.

• Talk with a township officer in your community.

• When researching online or at your local library, search specifically for Minnesota townships to find relevant information.

MAT Scholarship Program

2026 Scholarship Winners