Electric cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are preparing to accept applications for their popular scholarship from high school seniors who intend to pursue higher education studies.
The scholarships are awarded by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship Foundation, which since 2001 has provided almost 800 scholarships to graduating high school students totaling more than $740,000.
“This program has helped hundreds of students advance their education and demonstrates once again how electric cooperatives are committed to their member-consumers and the communities they serve,” said Richard G. Johnstone Jr., president and CEO of the VMD Association.
The open date for applications is Sunday, November 1, while the application deadline is March 19, 2021. Award recipients will be notified no later than June 1, 2021. The online application and additional information is posted at vmdaec.com/scholarship.
Any high school or home-schooled senior graduating in spring 2021, and whose primary residence is served by a VMD member cooperative, is eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to a two- or four-year college or trade school.
An applicant must be entering his or her first semester at a post-secondary or technical/trade school in the fall of 2021. Scholarship funds, which will be sent directly to the educational institution, must be used toward tuition, student fees, room and board, or textbooks.
To be considered complete, SAT and/or ACT score reports must come from the College Board. A score report must be uploaded by the student in the online application system. Scores listed on transcripts do not qualify. If a student has taken the SAT more than once, he or she can take the best score from each test (“Super Score”), but both tests must be submitted in the package to qualify.
If a student’s ability to take a test has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, special arrangements may be made.
The Foundation’s board of directors will select recipients based on these weighted criteria: financial need at 40 percent, academic achievement at 40 percent and personal statement at 20 percent.
Questions about donations and the application process should be directed to [email protected].