OEA Foundation Scholarships

Application Deadline is Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.

If the application is incomplete or late, it will not be considered.

The OEA Foundation will consider a student for the 2024 Foundation scholarships without a test score if the applicant meets the other criteria for the scholarship.

Please contact Linda Richter at 402-740-7911 or by email at oeafoundation@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding the scholarships.

The OEA Foundation was established in 1964 to serve as the educational and charitable arm of the Omaha Education Association. The Foundation has, through the years, funded over 100 different scholarships annually. Many of the scholarships are designated for specific high schools and winners are chosen by those high schools. Please see your counselor for more information on the high school specific scholarships. You may use the E-Application for the scholarships listed below. Click on the links below for E-Applications or printable hard copies of the application(s).

Instructions for all Forms: Please read this information carefully before completing the application

Form A & B

Must be Completed by ALL Applicants

E-Application Form A/B (Combined)

Form A (pdf) / Form B (pdf)

Frank C. Heinisch Memorial Scholarship–$15,000

OEA Foundation Presidents’ Scholarships (11)–$10,000 each

OEA Foundation Scholarships (10)–$7,000 each

Thresa Clark Honorary Scholarships (7)–$6,000 each

Jennie Kriebs Memorial Scholarship–$1,400

Mary Moberg Memorial OEA Foundation Presidents’ Scholarship -$10,000

The 31 scholarships listed above are for the exclusive benefit of sons, daughters or grandchildren of OEA members, Omaha Education Association-Retired members or NSEA affiliated Omaha Administrators Association members who are former OEA members. For current members, a minimum of three years OEA membership is required. A very important consideration will be the involvement of the parent or grandparent in the OEA.

E-Application Form C1

Form C1 (PDF)

Bertha Neale Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Frank Williams Memorial Scholarship-$1,000

The two scholarships listed above are restricted to the sons, daughters or grandchildren of OEA members, Omaha Education Association-Retired members or NSEA affiliated Omaha Administrators Association members who are former OEA members, and who are planning on a teaching career. For current members, a minimum of three years OEA membership is required.

E-Application Form C2

Form C2 (PDF)

Dorothy Seward Memorial Scholarships – 2 Scholarships of $1,000 each

The applicant must pursue a post-secondary education in the field of elementary education and must be a son, daughter or grandchild of a Omaha Education Association member, Omaha Education Association-Retied member or NSEA affiliated Omaha Administrators Association members who are former OEA members. For current members, a minimum of three years OEA membership is required.

E-Application Form C3

Form C3 (PDF)

Jesse J. & Angela Bavaresco Memorial Scholarship – $1,400

One scholarship for $1,400 is awarded to a graduating senior in the Omaha Public Schools with preference going to those of Italian lineage. The applicant must have a 3.5 GPA and seek further education in an accredited college or university, nursing school, business school, or vocational training school.

E-Application Form C4

Form C4 (PDF)

Dr. Hollie Bethel Scholarships – 3 Scholarships of $4,000 each

Three scholarships for $4,000 each are awarded to graduating seniors in OPS who plan to pursue a full-time career in education and who rank in the top one-quarter of their class.

E-Application Form C5

Form C5 (PDF)

Walter & Susie Dodd Memorial Scholarship – 2 scholarships of $1,500 each

This scholarship is awarded to one Omaha South and one Omaha Bryan graduating senior who plans to attend a four-year college or university with preference going to an African American. Applicants must rank in the top one quarter of their class and have been involved in school and community activities.

E-Application Form C6

Form C6 (PDF)

Sharon Engelhart Memorial Scholarship – $1,000

This scholarship is restricted to a graduating senior from OPS who attended Sunnyslope Elementary for at least three years and who ranks in the top one-third of their class.

E-Application Form C8

Form C8 (PDF)

Mary Ann Fields Memorial Scholarship – $1,500

This scholarship is restricted to graduating seniors of OPS who plan to pursue a full-time post-secondary education. Applicants must be former students of Walnut Hill Elementary School, rank in the top one-half of their class, demonstrate financial need, and show outstanding personal character.

E-Application Form C10

Form C10 (PDF)

Bernard & Eunice Gyger Scholarship – $1,250

Applicants must be graduating seniors from OPS who plan to pursue a full-time career in Elementary Education and rank in the top one-quarter of their class.

E-Application Form C12

Form C12 (PDF)

Warren & Evelyn Hotz Memorial Scholarships – $4,000 each

Nine (9) scholarships are awarded to students who are graduating seniors from OPS who show clear intent to work to defray substantial portions of his/her education. The student will have demonstrated good citizenship in the Omaha Public Schools and shall have participated in activities to the extent allowed by his/her work schedule. The applicant must rank in the top one-third of their class.

E-Application Form C13

Form C13 (PDF)

Dr. Odra Bradley Career Skills Education Scholarship – $1,500

This scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors from Omaha Public Schools who seek further education in a Career and Technical Education field.  Students must have completed course work in a Career and Technical Pathway during their junior and senior years.  Students must demonstrate that their character and behavior, activities, and achievements will help them make a valuable contribution to the improvement of society through career and Technical Education.

E-Application Form C14

Form C14 (PDF)

Raleigh and Esther Pilster Scholarship – $1,000

This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from OPS who plans to pursue a full-time post-secondary education and who is a former student at Boyd Elementary School.

E-Application Form C15

Form C15 (PDF)

Dr. Edwin Parrish Memorial Vocational Education Scholarship – Two Scholarships of $1,000 each

Richard Sedlak Memorial Vocational Education Scholarship – $1,000

These scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Omaha Public Schools who seek further education in a Career and Technical Education field.  Students must have completed course work in a Career and Technical Pathway during their junior and senior years.  Students must demonstrate that their character and behavior, activities, and achievements will help them make a valuable contribution to the improvement of society through career and Technical Education.

E-Application Form C16

Form C16 (PDF)

Metro Transit/Transport Workers Union, Local No. 223 Scholarships

Two scholarships for $2,000 each to the sons, daughters or grandchildren of MAT employees, retired employees, or deceased employees.

E-Application Form Metro Transit Scholarship

Form Metro Transit Scholarship (PDF)

Theta Phi Delta Scholarship – $1,600

Candidates must have completed a semester or more at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and must be earning part of their expenses. There are no restrictions as to area of study. Call the OEA office (402-346-0400) or Linda Richter (402-740-7911) for an application form.

E-Application Form Theta Phi Delta Scholarship

Form Theta Phi Delta Scholarship (PDF)

The following scholarships are restricted to graduating seniors from Benson High School. Selection will be made by the Benson High Scholarship Committee. The recipients shall have made some constructive contribution to the school, not merely have been a passive member of the class.

  • Wendy Cooper Memorial Scholarship – $1,900. Applicants must be female students from Benson High School who are two sport letter winners during their senior year and who have a 3.5 GPA or better. Students should contact their counselors.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Henry Colson Memorial Scholarships – Three $5,000 scholarships awarded with both genders represented.
  • Mary McNamara Memorial Scholarship. One $1,000 scholarship to a male student and one $1,000 scholarship to a female student.
  • Allen Seline Memorial Scholarship – $1,250.
  • Roberta Kiewit Mathematics Scholarship – $2,500. Students should contact their counselors.
  • Scotty Orcutt Memorial Baseball Scholarship – $2,500. Applicant must be a Benson High School baseball player who has a good scholastic record and demonstrates good citizenship. Selection will be made by the Benson High Scholarship Committee. If there is not an eligible baseball player a senior athlete from Benson will be considered. Students should contact their counselors.
  • Charles Mathews Memorial Scholarship – $2,000. Applicants must plan to pursue post-secondary education in the field of Science. The student must be in the top one-fourth of their graduating class. Students should contact their counselors.

The following scholarships are restricted to graduating seniors from Central High School. Selection will be made by the Central High Scholarship Committee.

  • Josephine Frisbie Scholarships – (6) $5,000 each.  Six scholarships of $5,000 each to be awarded to a Central High School senior who plans to major in English/Journalism/Broadcasting. If no applicants meet the above criteria this scholarship may be awarded to a student who excels in the English Language Arts (ELA) field of study.  Students should contact their counselors.
  • Elsie Fisher Memorial Scholarship – (3) $1,000 each. Three scholarships of $1,000 each. Applicants must plan to pursue a post-secondary education and rank in the top one-fourth academically of their graduating class. There are no restrictions as to area of study. Students should contact their counselors.
  • J. Arthur Nelson Memorial Scholarship (2) $1,000. One $1,000 scholarship to a male senior and one $1,000 scholarship to a female senior. Students should contact their counselors.

The following scholarships are restricted to graduating seniors from North High School. Selection will be made by the North High Scholarship Committee.

  • Mary Uhl Collins Memorial Business Education Scholarships (2) $1,250 each. Two scholarships of $1,250 each. Applicants must be North High School seniors from the Business Education Department who have been accepted by a college or university and who plan to major in Business Administration. Candidates should contact their counselors.
  • Cis Wilcox Memorial Scholarship – $1,000. This scholarship is restricted to a graduating senior from North High School or any descendant of Cynthia (Cis) Wilcox who attends Omaha Public Schools. Candidates should have a good scholarship record, a good citizenship record, made some constructive contribution in high school, be capable of academically achieving in post-high school education, and exhibit leadership. Selection will be made jointly by the North High School Scholarship Committee and the OEA Foundation. Candidates should contact their counselors.

The following scholarships are restricted to graduating seniors from South High School.

  • Jean Christiansen Memorial Scholarship – $1,500. Applicants must be graduating seniors from South High School who attended Marrs Elementary or Marrs Junior High School. The selection will be made by the Honors and Awards Committee. Applicants should contact their counselors.
  • The Roland and Janet Hinrichs Vocal Music Scholarship – $1,250. This scholarship is awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in the Vocal Music program as determined by the faculty in the music department and recommended to South’s Scholarship committee. The recipient should be in the top 25% of the graduating class and a member of Concert Choir, the Ambassadors, the Bell Choir, and/or in the cast, crew, or orchestra of the musical theatre productions. Candidates should contact their counselors for this application.
  • The James Eisenhardt Theatre and Film Scholarship – $1,250. This scholarship is awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in the Theatre and Film program as determined by the faculty in the Theatre and Film department and recommended to South’s Scholarship committee. The recipient should be in the top 25% of the graduating class. Candidates should contact their counselors for this application.