Sign-ups open for VEA’s scholarship program

Students looking to further their educational careers have an opportunity to have some of the expenses that go into higher education paid for.

Valley Electric Association, Inc. is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The scholarships are available to cooperative members and their dependents.

Last year VEA awarded four scholarships, two academic and two vocational/technical, but this year they will bump up the total to six awards up for grabs.

There are two full-time academic scholarships which offer $1,000 per year for four years, two full-time vocational/technical scholarships, which award $1,000 per year for two years and two part-time continuing education scholarships, awarding $500 for a single year.

"VEA is passionate about supporting the communities it serves. Helping VEA members further their education is one way VEA enjoys giving back," said Cassandra Selbach, VEA community relations representative. "Helping community members pay for their education and vocational skills training not only promotes a skilled workforce, it also strengthens the economic potential of our communities."

Last year's scholarship recipients were Andrea Melgar and Hannah Mason, who were awarded the academic scholarships and Alisha Finn and Skylee Memmott, who received the vocational/technical scholarships.

Those interested in vying for the scholarships can obtain applications from VEA's website at www.vea.coop.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship candidates must meet two requirements:

Applicants, or their parents/legal guardians, must be members of VEA with an active account served by the cooperative.

Applicants for the academic and vocational/technical scholarships must also enroll at an accredited educational or training institution as full-time students.

The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. on March 14.

Candidates for the scholarships will be evaluated by VEA committees using a variety of criteria. The winners of the 2016 scholarships will be announced at the cooperative's annual meeting on April 23.

For full details on the scholarship program visit http://vea.coop/content/scholarships.

VEA has awarded academic, vocational/technical and continuing education scholarships since 2008. The amount of scholarship awards has increased in recent years, going from $1,000 awarded in 2008 to $12,000 awarded last year.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.