Working Families Scholarship Details

"This program shifted my views on volunteer experiences greatly. I find it adds a new dimension onto college that makes it feel more fulfilling. It has greatly relieved my financial needs as well and I can’t feel thankful enough."Keelin, 2022 Cohort

At Michigan Tech, talent and drive comes from every corner of Michigan—and we’re proud to support students from hardworking families who want to turn ambition into achievement. The Rollin A. Jones and James E. Lindstrom Working Families Scholarship, made possible by the Thompson Foundation, celebrates the values of community, leadership, and opportunity. This scholarship honors two Michigan Tech alumni whose careers helped shape their communities, and it’s designed to help the next generation of Huskies do the same.

Who should apply?

Michigan Residents
Classified as dependent on their FAFSA
Student Aid Index between -1500 and 16000
At least one working parent in household
Cannot also receive Michigan Tech’s Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP), the State of Michigan's Tuition Incentive Program (TIP), the Kalamazoo Promise, the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver, or other full tuition scholarships
Student veterans who completed active duty or reserve component service in excess of one year

How much is this scholarship worth?

$5,500 per year from the Thompson Foundation
$5,500 committed match per year from Michigan Tech in the form of grants and scholarships (i.e. Presidential Scholars Program, Leading Scholars Program, Michigan Alumni Legacy Award, Michigan Tech Transfer Award)

What types of students are awarded?

Incoming first-year students
Current first-year students with one semester completed at Michigan Tech
Incoming transfer students who completed four semesters or 60 credits at another institution before Michigan Tech

How many students are accepted into the program?

195 students will be awarded for Fall 2026:

125 new first-year students
60 achievers (current first-year) students
10 new transfer students

What are the essay questions for the application?

Describe your academic and career goals. Explain how receiving this scholarship will support your success at Michigan Tech.
Describe your past and present community service involvement. In your response, please include:
- Names of the organizations or causes you supported and your role as a volunteer.
- How your service impacted your community and what you have learned from your experience.

How many years can students receive it?

Awards are annually renewable; number of semesters varies based on when student enters program:

New first-year: 4 years (8 semesters)
Achievers (current first-year): 3 years (6 semesters)
New transfer: 2 years (4 semesters)

What is the renewal criteria?

Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher each semester
At least 10 service hours completed in both the fall and spring semesters
File FAFSA annually
Continuous, regular undergraduate enrollment (12+ credits per semester)
Adherance to Student Code of Conduct
Two thank you letters (one during freshman year, and one during senior year)

History

Michigan Tech alumni Rollin Jones (‘58) and Jim Lindstrom (‘69) spent most of their civil engineering careers working for Robert Thompson at the Thompson-McCully Company. Together, they oversaw the company portfolio's growth through acquiring many Michigan-based asphalt paving companies. Mr. Thompson’s unique management style of sharing financial knowledge with key employees was uncommon, but it established a successful, performance-based learning environment for his employees.

As Vice Presidents for Thompson-McCully, Rollin and Jim demonstrated superior leadership and a “nose to the grindstone” work ethic, which they attribute to their educational experience at Michigan Tech. Jim recalls, “As the company grew, we would go to Michigan Tech to recruit and hire for needed positions”. Their search was for candidates who exhibited the same leadership and tenacious qualities. Thus, Robert (Bob) and Ellen Thompson greatly appreciate Tech graduates and their contributions to the company’s success.

After Thompson-McCully sold its holdings to CRH/Oldcastle Materials in 1999, Bob and Ellen founded the Thompson Foundation, a nonprofit that largely supports education across the Midwest. The Thompsons established the Working Families Scholarship in memory of Rollin, who sadly left us in 2018, and in honor of Jim, who represents the living legacy of the scholarship and community of Michigan Tech.