Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program

Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program
THE PROGRAM
The Northwest Pilot’s Assistance Fund established the Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program in 2009 in memory of Matthew,
Jacob, and Justin Backstrom. They are the sons of Captain Nathan Backstrom, his wife Connie, and brothers to Ryan and Charles.
The three brothers, wearing seatbelts and driving responsibly, were tragically killed by a drunk driver October 10 th , 2004.
Sponsorship of this scholarship program transitioned to the Delta Scholarship Fund, Inc. in 2010. The program is administered by
Scholarship Management Services ® , a division of Scholarship America ® . Scholarship Management Services is the nation’s largest
designer and manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations and
individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin.
“Our lives have been forever changed. Through it all, God has given us hope and strength to live with
purpose and to make a difference in the lives of others. We are grateful and deeply touched by the
establishment of the Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of our sons Matthew, Jacob, and
Justin, for the benefit of the children of all Delta pilots.”
The Backstrom Family
Matthew was a graphic design student.
He wanted to be an artist and design
robots for NASA. He also had dreams of
being a missionary and a pilot.
A $3000 annual Art or Graphic Design
Scholarship has been established in
honor of Matthew.
Jacob had always wanted to be a
policeman or a firefighter. His senior
year he informed us that he wanted to
fly helicopters for the U.S. Marine
Corps or be in special operations.
Jacob loved flying.
A $3000 annual Aviation or Law
Enforcement Scholarship has been
established in honor of Jacob.
Justin always wanted to be a baker
or a chef. During the summer of 2003
while attending Concordia Language
Villages, Justin and Jacob had the
privilege of helping a 5 star chef
prepare food for the Norwegian
Ambassador, Knut Vollaebek's visit.
A $3000 annual Culinary Arts or
Music Scholarship has been
established in honor of Justin.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program must -
Be dependent* children, age 24 and under, of eligible Delta Pilots** as of the application deadline date.
*Dependent children are defined as biological, stepchildren or legally adopted children living in the pilot's household or
primarily supported by the pilot.
**A Delta Pilot is considered eligible under the terms of the Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program provided that as of
the application deadline date, the pilot:
o is on the Delta Pilot Seniority List.
o successfully completed probation IAW the Delta Pilots Working Agreement.
o is an Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) member in good standing.
plan to enroll or be enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or
vocational-technical school for the entire 2014-2015 academic year.
have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
plan to major in one of the following areas of study: art, graphic design, aviation, law enforcement, music or culinary arts.

AWARDS
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $3,000 award.
One award will be named in honor of each Backstrom child:
A $3,000 award in art or graphic design in honor of Matthew Backstrom.
A $3,000 award in aviation or law enforcement in honor of Jacob Backstrom.
A $3,000 award in culinary arts or music in honor of Justin Backstrom.
In the event that there are not qualified applicants for all three areas of study, more than one award may be granted in one of the
other areas, for a total of three (3) awards each year.
Preference will be given to those students who are home educated.
Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are
for undergraduate study only.
APPLICATION
Applications are available online at http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/backstrom. Interested students must complete the
application and mail it along with a current, complete transcript of grades to Scholarship Management Services postmarked no later
than March 13. Grade reports are not acceptable. Online transcripts must display student name, school name, grade and credit
hours earned for each course, and term in which each course was taken. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their
application. If an acknowledgment card is not received within three weeks, applicants may call Scholarship Management Services to
verify that the application has been received.
Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications are evaluated on the information
supplied; therefore, answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. All information
received is considered confidential and is reviewed only by Scholarship Management Services.
SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and
community activities, honors, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations, unusual personal or family circumstances, and
an outside appraisal. Financial need is not considered.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship Management Services. In no instance does any officer or employee of the Delta
Scholarship Fund, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Delta Master Executive Council (ALPA), or the Backstrom family play any part in the
selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Applicants will be notified by email on May 15. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply
to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.
PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship Management Services processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Delta Scholarship Fund. Payments are made
in equal installments on August 15 and December 30. Checks are mailed to each recipient's home address and are made payable
to the school for the student.
OBLIGATIONS
Recipients have no obligation to the Delta Scholarship Fund or the Delta Master Executive Council. They are, however, required to
notify Scholarship Management Services of any changes in address, school enrollment, or other relevant information and to send a
complete transcript when requested.
REVISIONS
The Delta Scholarship Fund reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make
changes at any time including termination of the program.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions regarding the scholarship program should be addressed to:
Backstrom Memorial Scholarship Program
Scholarship Management Services
One Scholarship Way
Saint Peter, MN 56082
Administered by
Telephone: (507) 931-1682
Get more information about the Backstrom family and their mission of saving lives at www.backstrombrothers.com.
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