The Madison Central School Educational Foundation presented Step-Up scholarships to Carsyn Olson, Katherine Johnson, Kennedy Smith, Chloe Snow, Zahria Fellerman, and Taneaja John, members of the Madison High School Class of 2025, who are now freshman at Dakota State University.

 In 2003, the MCSEF Board of Directors made a proposal to the City of Madison to start a utility bill round-up program to generate scholarship dollars for Madison High School students attending DSU. Since the Step-Up for Scholars program has been in place, 193 students have received scholarships.

 Renae Prostrollo, MSCEF Director, says these students and the board members thank the current homeowners, businesses, and the City of Madison for their support of the Step-Up program.  She says they encourage everyone in the community to participate in the utilities round-up program, adding that it’s a small individual investment into the students that makes a huge impact on those who attend DSU.

 Madison residents and businesses can sign up to participate in the Step-Up Scholarship Program allowing the City Finance Office to round up their monthly municipal utility bill to the nearest whole dollar. The most a customer could pay in one year is $11.88. The average participant’s round-up totals between $6 and $7 per year. The money is put into the Step-Up Scholarship Fund and awarded in the form of scholarships to MHS students in good standing attending DSU. To enroll in the program, you can contact the City Finance Office at 256-7504 or email utilities@cityofmadison.com