The Bank of North Dakota’s Student Loan Division is this year’s recipient of the Friend of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Award.

The Bank of North Dakota’s Student Loan Division, through staff such as Wally Erhardt, the director, and Char Skjonsby, has helped countless North Dakota students realize their dreams of a higher education degree and increase their financial literacy.

The bank has partnered with the NDSU Extension Service on a number of successful programs through the North Dakota Jump$tart Coalition. The coalition is a nonprofit organization that works actively to improve citizens’ financial literacy by teaching them the financial skills they need for a successful and prosperous life. The Real World Camp for elementary students is one example of that partnership.

NDSU Extension and bank personnel also have worked to educate the public through speaking engagements and workshops, providing information and materials, and collaborating with public and private organizations and lawmakers on various projects throughout the state.

Erhardt received the award on behalf of the bank Wednesday at the joint NDSU Extension and Research Extension Center conference in Bismarck.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Oct. 16, 2015