University of Jamestown receives donation to support free tuition

JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Jamestown, North Dakota native Bart Holaday has established a scholarship that will provide free tuition to qualifying University of Jamestown incoming freshmen.

The scholarship, which is available for one year (the 24-25 academic year), aims to support new students from high-need families.

"Bart has a passion for supporting students with need in their pursuit of a college degree," said University of Jamestown president Dr. Polly Peterson. "Through his Dakota Foundation, he has helped more than 400 students achieve their college dreams. As a trustee of our university, we are fortunate to be the beneficiary of his extreme generosity as we seek to make a UJ education affordable for all students."

Director of Admissions Alyson Leas said UJ aims to impact as many as 50 future students with this scholarship.

"I struggle to put into words how impactful this opportunity is for our potential students. The college search is a stressful time for students and their families. Mr. Holaday's gift will allow applicants to focus solely on finding their true college fit and academic path," Leas said. "Due to the nature of this scholarship, we are anticipating a lot of applications. Funds are available until gone, so we encourage potential students to apply early for scholarship consideration."

Holaday, who is the founder and chairman of The Dakota Foundation, has a long history of supporting higher education initiatives.

"Removing the economic barrier to higher education for those qualified and motivated to improve themselves enhances not only their future but the future of our entire nation," he said. "I think there can be no better investment in our future than creating opportunities for all to improve their education."

Holaday has served on the University's Board of Trustees for more than 20 years. Growing up in Jamestown, his father taught Business and Accounting at what was then Jamestown College. Holaday was the water boy for the football team in the mid-fifties and spent four years delivering newspapers to students and faculty members.

"The University of Jamestown shaped my youth and captured my soul," he said. "I believe UJ offers a welcoming environment to all and provides a very high-quality liberal arts education that is rooted in Christian principles, integrity, and individual student attention. All this maximizes the probability that all students, whatever their needs, will be able to achieve their highest potentials."

The scholarship is available to new students from high-need families who are receiving a Pell Grant starting at $6,000. Interested students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to know if they meet these specifications.

Students interested in this scholarship opportunity need to first be accepted into UJ and submit a FAFSA. Consideration of qualified applicants will begin in late February to early March. Interested students can apply to UJ for free at apply.uj.edu or request more information at information.uj.edu.