Our Current Stories on Supporting Our Communities

Nordstrom Scholarship Program

Nordstrom Scholarship Funds Dreams

This fall, 80 high school seniors across the country got a special surprise that will bring them one step closer to their future goals. Nordstrom selected them from thousands of applicants to receive a $10,000 Nordstrom Scholarship that can be used toward four years of college education.

"I started crying when they read my name and that feeling of winning was just amazing." said Baolin Xu, a student at Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Ill. When the door to her class opened and a woman with an oversized check walked in, Baolin soon realized that check was for her. Regional Diversity Affairs director Sandra Loza had come to share the good news that Baolin was selected to receive the $10,000 award.

"I was shocked and teary eyed," said Baolin. "Not only does this give me a chance to tell my story and follow my dreams, but it also helps build confidence in my abilities. I will never forget that day!"

Expanding commitment to our communities

Nordstrom is committed to the communities where we do business, and helping students achieve their dreams of higher education is one of the meaningful ways we show that commitment. Since 1994, we've selected hard-working high school students to receive $10,000 college scholarships.

Today, with educational funding becoming an even greater challenge than ever, we've expanded our Scholarship Program and are pleased to help 80 outstanding students across the country — double the number from previous years — take the next step toward achieving their goals. The program's expansion now makes students in every state where Nordstrom has a Full-line store eligible to apply for the awards.

"The expansion of the Nordstrom Scholarship program is exciting because it means we are able to support even more deserving and hardworking young adults who are on the path to accomplishing great things," said Ellen Greene, who helps facilitate the program for the company. "These kids are outstanding in every sense of the word and it's really exciting to know that we can help them move forward in this world."

Applying in 2012

High school juniors located in areas where Nordstrom operates a Full-line store who demonstrate outstanding community involvement, scholastic achievement and are planning on applying for financial aid are welcome to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship application for 2012 will be available online in early 2012 at nordstrom.com/scholarship. Selected finalists participate in an interview with a selection committee that includes educators, business leaders, community partners and Nordstrom representatives. Winners will be notified in the fall.

"Winning this scholarship to me is a great achievement, because I know that a lot of people like me don't think they can achieve things like this and then go to college and do whatever they want to do in life," said Whitney Hollingsworth from Western Hills Engineering High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. "But this is an example for other children like me that if I can do it they can do it. Because I did."