USA Scholarships
Nancy Lorraine Jensen Scholarship 2027 - STEM Women
The Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Scholarship 2027 honors a chemical engineer whose weather-satellite photography advances inspired her parents to fund women in science and engineering. The Sons of Norway Foundation awards from half tuition for one term up to full tuition for one year at a US college or university, renewable for up to three undergraduate years when you remain eligible. Female US citizens ages 17 to 35 apply with a declared major in chemistry, physics, or chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering after completing at least one college term. You must be a Sons of Norway member or the daughter or granddaughter of a member with at least three years of continuous membership. SAT scores of 1200 with math 600 or better, or ACT 26 or better, are required. Apply online at sofn.com/foundation/scholarships/; applications open October 1 and close January 15.
What is the Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Scholarship?
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Jensen created this fund after their daughter Nancy died at 35, already known for chemical engineering work on weather satellite imagery. Sons of Norway now carries that story forward by pushing more young women through chemistry, physics, and core engineering majors at US colleges.
The money can be substantial compared with small club grants. Half tuition for a term is the floor; full tuition for a year is the ceiling in published materials, with renewal possible across three undergraduate years if you keep your grades and membership story intact. That makes the Jensen fund one of the heavier lifts inside the Sons of Norway Foundation portfolio, not a token book stipend.
Membership is the gate many applicants miss. You need your own Sons of Norway membership or a parent or grandparent with three years in the organization, plus test scores that sit above many general STEM scholarships. January 15 arrives fast after the October 1 portal opening, especially while you are chasing a department chair letter that names your major explicitly.
If you are not tied to Sons of Norway heritage, browse our SWE and ASHRAE guides for open engineering scholarships. If you are in the lodge network and studying physical sciences, treat this page as your checklist for the 2027 portal cycle.
Eligibility
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✓US citizenshipYou must be a United States citizen. The Jensen fund is limited to domestic study at US institutions.
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✓Female applicant age 17 to 35Only women may apply, with age 17 to 35 as of the application date. Sons of Norway guidelines use this window for the memorial fund.
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✓Sons of Norway membership connectionYou must be a current Sons of Norway member, or the daughter or granddaughter of a current member with membership in effect at least three years before you apply. If you apply through a parent or grandparent, you must be under 26.
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✓Declared STEM major after one college termYou must be accepted or enrolled as a major in chemistry, physics, or chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering and have completed at least one quarter or semester after declaring that major track.
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✓SAT or ACT minimum scoresSubmit SAT scores of at least 1200 total with math 600 or higher, or ACT composite 26 or higher, as stated in the Sons of Norway scholarship PDF.
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✓Full-time undergraduate studyThe scholarship supports undergraduate study at an accredited US college or university. Graduate students should use other Sons of Norway Foundation funds.
Benefits
- Minimum award Half tuition for one term
- Maximum award Full tuition for one year
- Renewal Up to three years of undergraduate study
- Fields covered Chemistry, physics, selected engineering majors
- Room and board Not specified; tuition-focused award
- Open to non-members Requires SON membership or family tie
Document checklist
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✓Online Sons of Norway applicationComplete the portal application at sofn.com/foundation/scholarships/. Students must fill out the form themselves per foundation rules.
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✓150-word autobiographyUpload a short autobiography within the word limit in the Jensen scholarship guidelines.
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✓500-word essayAddress academic potential, financial need, Sons of Norway involvement, and how you will share your experience with the organization, as prompted in the official PDF.
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✓SAT or ACT score reportUpload scores meeting the 1200/600 SAT or ACT 26 thresholds. Official scores may be required if you are tentatively selected.
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✓Latest term transcriptProvide transcripts through your most recent completed term. Official transcripts may be requested after selection.
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✓Two letters of recommendationOne letter must come from your department chair or advisor confirming your declared major in an eligible science or engineering field. The second should address character and ambition in STEM.
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✓Financial informationBe prepared to state what you can contribute toward college costs. The foundation evaluates need alongside academic potential.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Scholarship?
It is a Sons of Norway Foundation scholarship for US women studying chemistry, physics, or selected engineering majors. It honors Nancy Lorraine Jensen, a chemical engineer, and pays from half tuition for one term up to full tuition for one year.
Who can apply for the Jensen Memorial Scholarship?
Female US citizens ages 17 to 35 who are Sons of Norway members or qualifying daughters or granddaughters of members, with at least one completed college term in an eligible STEM major and required test scores.
What SAT or ACT scores does the Jensen Scholarship require?
Sons of Norway lists SAT 1200 with math 600 or better, or ACT composite 26 or better.
Is the Nancy Lorraine Jensen Scholarship renewable?
CollegeXpress and Sons of Norway materials describe renewal for up to three years of undergraduate study when you remain eligible and reapply.
When is the Jensen Scholarship deadline?
Applications open October 1 and are due January 15 each year through sofn.com/foundation/scholarships/.
Do male students qualify for the Jensen Scholarship?
No. The fund is for female applicants only, per the official Sons of Norway scholarship guidelines.
Can I apply if my parent is a Sons of Norway member?
Yes, if you are the daughter or granddaughter of a member with at least three years of membership and you meet the age rules for family applicants.
Which engineering majors qualify for the Jensen Scholarship?
Chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering are listed in the official PDF. Other engineering fields are not named unless Sons of Norway updates the guidelines.
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