Scholarships
FRS Scholarships Provide Opportunities for Students to Attend College or Vocational School
The foundation annually awards scholarships to an exceptional group of rural students for their first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require partnership with an NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association member company to be eligible.
FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception; empowering rural students throughout the country to advance their communities with invaluable skill sets and experiences.
On April 24, 2026, the Foundation for Rural Service announced the recipients of the 2026 FRS Scholarships. The FRS Scholarship Program awards one-time scholarships to students from rural communities for their first year of college, university, or vocational-technical school. Each student is sponsored by an NTCA member company that may also contribute a portion of the scholarship award. FRS awarded a total of $185,000 to 60 students across the country. The names of the 2026 awardees are listed at the bottom of this page.
Named Scholarships
In addition to FRS scholarships, the program includes a number of named scholarship opportunities (required match does not apply).
- Common Ground Scholarship
-
The Common Ground Scholarship fund provides two $9,000 scholarships to high school seniors from rural communities across America. The scholarship gives preference to students pursuing studies related to environmental sustainability, social justice, telecommunications, or economic development. The scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the V+C Charitable Trust.
- Everett Kneece Scholarship
-
$7,000 scholarship awarded annually in honor of the generous philanthropist Everett Kneece, who had a passion for rural America.
- Herbert and Isabel Bitz Memorial Scholarship
-
One $5,000 scholarship awarded annually. Created by Mr. Don Bitz of Montana in honor of his parents, Herbert and Isabel, awarded to one individual who exhibits a strong dedication to rural America.
- Sarah Tyree Good Neighbor Scholarship
-
Named in memory of Sarah Tyree, this scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate what it means to be a "good neighbor" through humanitarianism, inclusion, and kindness to others. Well-known in the rural broadband industry, Sarah was a steady presence at NTCA meetings on behalf of CoBank and was often in the middle of key policy discussions that impacted funding opportunities for NTCA members and in educating Congress on the programs that are critical to bringing affordable communications services to rural Americans. Sarah was a tremendous advocate on behalf of the work that the Foundation for Rural Service seeks to accomplish in rural communities.
- JSI Scholarship
-
$5,000 JSI scholarships are awarded by JSI in honor of John and Chresanthe Staurulakis to four individuals with an interest in science, math, medicine or engineering.
- Tim Owens—Ron Laudner Scholarship
-
The Tim Owens—Ron Laudner Scholarship honors the legacy of two men who were great friends and dedicated supporters of FRS. Their shared passion for the arts and investing in rural youth inspired this memorial scholarship. This scholarship supports students who intend to study fine arts or music. The scholarships are made possible by the Tim Owens—Ron Laudner Memorial Fund.
- Shirley Bloomfield Fund for Women’s Advancement
-
Honoring Shirley’s 36 years with NTCA, her many contributions to the rural telecom industry and strong support of women in telecom, the Shirley Bloomfield Fund for Women’s Advancement will endow a scholarship for a woman student who is either a recent high school graduate, a non-traditional student returning to school after/while working, or a current student seeking to complete her degree. The fund is sponsored by the NTCA Women in Telecom program.
- Nontraditional Student Scholarship
-
The Nontraditional Student Scholarship is for adult learners who will be enrolled at an accredited college, university, or vocational school for undergraduate studies. This scholarship is designed to support those who are pursuing educational goals for the first time or returning to their studies after a break. Existing college students are not eligible to apply for this opportunity.
- Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship — Sponsored by INDATEL Services
-
Diana grew up in Atlantic, IA, with her parents and five siblings, where she attended Atlantic High School and then graduated with her teaching degree from Augustana University. Diana found a successful career in telecommunications, where she excelled in sales and grew a large network of women in telecom who became some of her closest mentors and friends. Recognizing Diana’s impact to her company and women in telecom, INDATEL Services LLC and her family have established a scholarship with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) for female students with an intent to study business.
- TMS Scholarship
-
$1,500 scholarships are awarded annually to two customers of Ardmore Telephone and/or West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative.
- Roger Cox Scholarship
-
Scholarship is awarded as one $1,000 college scholarship to go to a student who resides in the FOCUS Broadband service territory in North Carolina, and two other $500 scholarships for individuals living in rural areas of North Carolina and South Carolina. Recipients shall be selected by FRS through its scholarship application review process.
Scholarships
$2,500 scholarships are awarded across rural America annually and matched by generous NTCA members to students in their communities paving the way for the future of rural America (member companies must commit to a $500 match for each winning student).
LEARN MORE
As FRS approaches our 25th Anniversary in 2019, we are highlighting some of our favorite programs. Since 1994, FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to rural youth.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 FRS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
James L. Bass Legal Scholarship
With an active law career that spanned more than 70 years, James Bass helped secure funds for rural telephone systems to bring modern telephone service to rural areas. He was pivotal in the creation of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, where he served as one of the organization’s earliest Presidents. Mr. Bass continued his leadership with service for more than 50 years as NTCA’s legal counsel. This $5,000 scholarship is for students entering their first year of law school and who have an interest in rural communities.
Gregory Marchal
Planning to attend: Stanford University Law School
Common Ground Scholarship
This $9,500 scholarship gives preference to students pursuing studies related to environmental sustainability, social justice, telecommunications, or economic development.
The scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the V+C Charitable Trust.
Brianna Schmeis
San Antonio, Texas
NTCA Partner: GVTC - New Braunfels, Texas
Planning to attend: Baylor University
McKenzie Hamon
Abilene, Texas
NTCA Partner: Taylor Telecom - Merkel, Texas
Planning to attend: Texas A&M University
Everett Kneece Scholarship
$7,000 scholarship awarded annually in honor of the generous philanthropist Everett Kneece, who had a passion for rural America.
Ava Meinders
Buffalo Center, Iowa
NTCA Partner: Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association (WCTA) - Lake Mills, Iowa
Planning to attend: Iowa State University
Herbert and Isabel Bitz Memorial Scholarship
Created by Mr. Don Bitz of Montana in honor of his parents, Herbert and Isabel, this $5,000 scholarship is awarded to one individual who exhibits a strong dedication to rural America.
Ayden DeBruycker
Fairfield, Montana
NTCA Partner: 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Fairfield, Mont.
Planning to attend: Montana State University (Bozeman)
Sarah Tyree Good Neighbor Scholarship
Named in memory of Sarah Tyree, this $5,000 scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate what it means to be a "good neighbor" through humanitarianism, inclusion, and kindness to others.
Addison Brewer
Gainesville, Texas
NTCA Partner: Nortex Communications - Muenster, Texas
Planning to attend: Texas Tech
Maxwell Anderson
Millstadt, Illinois
NTCA Partner: Harrisonville Telephone Company - Waterloo, Ill.
Planning to attend: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Sarah Plotner
Artesia, New Mexico
NTCA Partner: Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative - Artesia, N.M.
Planning to attend: New Mexico State University
William Johnson
Clinton, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: Star Telephone Membership Corporation - Clinton, N.C.
Planning to attend: Elon University
JSI Scholarship
Awarded by JSI in honor of John and Chresanthe Staurulakis, this $5,000 scholarship is awarded to individuals with an interest in science, math, medicine, or engineering.
The scholarships are made possible by the generosity of JSI.
Lillian Pader
Ketchikan, Alaska
NTCA Partner: KPU Telecommunications - Ketchikan, AK
Planning to attend: Washington and Lee University
Lincoln Schneider
Morris, Minnesota
NTCA Partner: Federated Telephone Cooperative - Chokio, Minn.
Planning to attend: University of North Dakota
Malory Kemp
Cavalier, North Dakota
NTCA Partner: Polar Communications Mutual Aid Corp. - Park River, N.D.
Planning to attend: Montana State University
Tate Wilhelm
Canadian, Texas
NTCA Partner: Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Guymon, Okla.
Planning to attend: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship
made possible by INDATEL Services LLC
Recognizing Diana's impact to her company and women in telecom, INDATEL Services LLC and her family established this $2,500 scholarship for women with an intent to study business.
Bethany Simmelink
Esbon, Kansas
NTCA Partner: Nex-Tech - Lenora, Kan.
Planning to attend: Kansas State University
FRS General Scholarship
$2,500 scholarships awarded to an exceptional group of rural students for their first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require partnership with an NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association member company to be eligible. The NTCA partner also contributes toward the scholarship award.
Adam Jacobson
Shevlin, Minnesota
NTCA Partner: Garden Valley Telephone Company - Erskine, Minn.
Planning to attend: Bemidji State University
AlexZandar Sheldon-Davis
Fallon, Nevada
NTCA Partner: CC Communications - Fallon, Nev.
Planning to attend: University of Nevada, Reno
Amanda Clune
Celina, Ohio
NTCA Partner: Wabash Mutual Telephone Company - Celina, Ohio
Planning to attend: The Ohio State University
Augustus Peine
Hays, Kansas
NTCA Partner: Nex-Tech - Lenora, Kan.
Planning to attend: Kansas State University
Bailey Billmayer
Chinook, Montana
NTCA Partner: Triangle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Havre, Mont.
Planning to attend: Boise State University
Brandon Mincoff
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
NTCA Partner: Mosaic Technologies - Cameron, Wis.
Planning to attend: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Brayden Kupczyk
Ashland, Wisconsin
NTCA Partner: Norvado - Cable, Wis.
Planning to attend: University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Brexton Barnes
Milford, Utah
NTCA Partner: SC Broadband - Kanab, Utah
Planning to attend: Southern Utah University
Carter Hajek
Seneca, Kansas
NTCA Partner: Rainbow Telecommunications Association, Inc. - Everest, Kan.
Planning to attend: Emporia State University
Charley Evans
Lowgap, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: Surry Telephone Membership Corporation - Dobson, N.C.
Planning to attend: Western Carolina University
Clay Ross
Dungannon, Virginia
NTCA Partner: Scott County Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Gate City, Va.
Planning to attend: Undecided
Cooper Landre
Mason, Texas
NTCA Partner: Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Ingram, Texas
Planning to attend: Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
Dagmar Beckel
Bloomer, Wisconsin
NTCA Partner: Mosaic Technologies - Cameron, Wis.
Planning to attend: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Eliasen Baker
Cookeville, Tennessee
NTCA Partner: Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation - Gainesboro, Tenn.
Planning to attend: Tennessee Technological University
Emma Morgan
Star, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: Randolph Communications - Asheboro, N.C.
Planning to attend: Undecided
Emma Poston
Cookeville, Tennessee
NTCA Partner: Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation - Gainesboro, Tenn.
Planning to attend: Tennessee Technological University
Ethan Kester
Clearwater, Nebraska
NTCA Partner: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company - Jackson, Neb.
Planning to attend: University of Nebraska Lincoln
Gracie Fiegen
Garretson, South Dakota
NTCA Partner: Alliance Communications Cooperative - Garretson, S.D.
Planning to attend: University of South Dakota
Grant Holmes
Shawneetown, Illinois
NTCA Partner: Shawnee Communications - Equality, Ill.
Planning to attend: University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
Halea Turner
Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee
NTCA Partner: North Central Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Lafayette, Tenn.
Planning to attend: Tennessee Technological University
Jade Marty
Chokio, Minnesota
NTCA Partner: Federated Telephone Cooperative - Chokio, Minn.
Planning to attend: Southeast Technical College
Jaxson Reed
Atlanta, Missouri
NTCA Partner: Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation - Macon, Mo.
Planning to attend: Moberly Area Community College
Jazlyn Flansburg
Dodson, Montana
NTCA Partner: Triangle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Havre, Mont.
Planning to attend: Aaniiih Nakoda College
Joslyn Kalbrener
Grafton, North Dakota
NTCA Partner: Polar Communications Mutual Aid Corp. - Park River, N.D.
Planning to attend: University of North Dakota
Kadence Leeper
Macon, Missouri
NTCA Partner: Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation - Macon, Mo.
Planning to attend: Northwest Missouri State University
Katelyn Gebhart
Meadow, South Dakota
NTCA Partner: West River Cooperative Telephone Company - Bison, S.D.
Planning to attend: South Dakota State University
Kelsey Amos
Stapleton, Nebraska
NTCA Partner: Great Plains Communications LLC. - Blair, Neb.
Planning to attend: Laramie County Community College
Lauren Budleski
Hatley, Wisconsin
NTCA Partner: Wittenberg Telephone Company - Wittenberg, Wis.
Planning to attend: Marquette University
Laykin Feller
Velva, North Dakota
NTCA Partner: SRT Communications, Inc. - Minot, N.D.
Planning to attend: University of North Dakota
Morgan Guy
Louisville, Georgia
NTCA Partner: Pineland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Metter, Ga.
Planning to attend: Georgia College & State University
Morgan Jacobsen
Clarendon, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: FOCUS Broadband - Shallotte, N.C.
Planning to attend: Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
Nathan Fast
Frazer, Montana
NTCA Partner: Nemont Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Scobey, Mont.
Planning to attend: Helena College University of Montana
Reese Swanson
Arthur, Nebraska
NTCA Partner: Consolidated Telephone Company - Lincoln, Neb.
Planning to attend: Sheridan College
Rilyn Rodgers
Alamo, Georgia
NTCA Partner: Glenwood Telephone Company - Glenwood, Ga.
Planning to attend: University of Georgia
Rylie Schenk
Fairfield, Montana
NTCA Partner: 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Fairfield, Mont.
Planning to attend: University of Montana Western
Samantha Juelfs
Red Bud, Illinois
NTCA Partner: Harrisonville Telephone Company - Waterloo, Ill.
Planning to attend: Missouri University of Science and Technology
Shiloh Smith
Cairo, Nebraska
NTCA Partner:Nebraska Central Telephone Company - Aurora, Neb.
Planning to attend: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Terralynn Brinson
Swainsboro, Georgia
NTCA Partner: Pineland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Metter, Ga.
Planning to attend: University of Pittsburgh
Winter Young
Cable, Wisconsin
NTCA Partner: Norvado - Cable, Wis.
Planning to attend: Undecided
FRS General Scholarship - Non-Traditional Student
New this year, FRS is awarding a $2,500 scholarship to an adult learner enrolled at an accredited college, university, or vocational school for undergraduate studies. This scholarship is designed to support those who are pursuing educational goals for the first time or returning to their studies after a break.
Landon Baldwin
Monterey, Tennessee
NTCA Partner: Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation - Gainesboro, Tenn.
Planning to attend: Tennessee Tech
Roger Cox Scholarship
Awarded to a student who resides in the FOCUS Broadband service territory in North Carolina, and scholarships for individuals living in rural areas of North Carolina and South Carolina. Made possible by the generosity of Herman & Whiteaker, LLC.
Daniel Miller Crawford
Due West, South Carolina
NTCA Partner: West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Abbeville, S.C.
Planning to attend: Clemson University
Jennifer Zheng
Supply, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: FOCUS Broadband - Shallotte, N.C.
Planning to attend: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jordyn Way
Walterboro, South Carolina
NTCA Partner: Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - Walterboro, S.C.
Planning to attend: College of Charleston
Morgan Jacobsen
Clarendon, North Carolina
NTCA Partner: FOCUS Broadband - Shallotte, N.C.
Planning to attend: Johnson & Wales University–Charlotte
TMS Scholarship
Scholarships awarded to two customers of Ardmore Telephone and/or West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative.
Kinlee Sams
Fancy Farm, Kentucky
NTCA Partner: West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative - Mayfield, Ky.
Planning to attend: West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Payton Barnett
Toney, Alabama
NTCA Partner: Ardmore Telephone Company - Ardmore, AL
Planning to attend: University of Alabama
Get Involved
Are you interested in sponsoring a scholarship and investing in the future of rural America? Contact us at [email protected].