UND and The Barry Foundation announce scholarship matching partnership

The University of North Dakota has signed an agreement with The Barry Foundation to establish the UND Barry Match Scholarship Program.

The program will see UND match scholarships from The Barry Foundation for up to $5,000 each year starting in fall 2023.

According to the Foundation, “Barry Scholars” will be recent graduates from North Dakota and Minnesota high schools attending college at UND who have taken part in the Foundation’s Philanthropy and Youth (PaY) program, a high school program that introduces the importance of leadership and service through grantmaking within students’ local communities.

Students who have taken part in PaY are eligible for the Barry Scholarship Program – a cohort experience providing a two- or four-year annually renewable college scholarship. The program provides financial aid, professional development and personal support to scholarship recipients.

UND will also match the one-time PaY Forward Scholarships the Foundation grants to qualified Barry Scholar finalists who are not selected for the cohort experience.

“The UND scholarship match is something for which I am incredibly grateful,” said Emma Rudolph, a UND sophomore from Fargo majoring in elementary education. Rudolph was active in PaY during her four years at Fargo South High School.

“The original scholarship amount was generous on its own, but this scholarship match conveys the feeling of being truly supported by the university I have chosen,” Rudolph continued. “This match will allow me to focus on campus involvement with student government and the Future Educators of UND group while continuing to pursue my degree without worry. I feel blessed to have a great support network both on and off campus thanks to The Barry Foundation and UND’s collaboration.”

Based in Fargo, The Barry Foundation was established in 1986 by B. John Barry, a UND alum and chairman and CEO of MidAmerica Holdings and MidAmerica Capital. The Foundation, through a mission of promoting proactive philanthropy, ranks among the largest in North Dakota in total giving. Through PaY and The Barry Scholarship Program, the Foundation educates and supports young people to incorporate the spirit of philanthropy in their careers and goals.

UND President Andy Armacost remarked that Barry’s impact has been felt not just at UND, but at institutions across the region. Barry is a 1963 graduate and a longtime supporter of the University, Armacost said.

“The scholarships that The Barry Foundation offers to students heading off to college are extraordinary, and we wanted to be part of it,” Armacost said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for students across the state and the region to come to UND, be a full part of the campus, and do so with strong financial support.”

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