High school seniors encouraged to apply for Jo-Carroll Energy scholarships

High school seniors within the Jo-Carroll Energy service territory are encouraged to apply for one of five scholarships to be awarded to the sons and daughters of cooperative members in 2011.
"The purpose of the scholarship program is to assist electric cooperative member families in our service area," said Michael Hastings, Jo-Carroll Energy president and CEO. "We and other Illinois electric cooperatives want to make a difference in our communities, and we think lending our youth a hand is one of the best ways to do this."

Applicants must be a current high school senior and a son or daughter of a Jo-Carroll Energy cooperative member who is receiving services from the cooperative at the time the application is submitted. Two scholarships will be awarded in both Jo Daviess and Carroll counties and one scholarship in Whiteside County.

Scholarships may be used for educational costs at any two- or four-year accredited college or university, including vocational/technical schools and lineman's school.
Scholarship winners must begin undergraduate studies within one year of being notified that they have won. Scholarship winners are expected to be full time students (at least 12 hours). Scholarships are for one year and are not renewable.

Scholarships will be awarded based on grade point average, college entrance test scores, work and volunteer experience, participation in school and community activities, a brief biographical statement with emphasis on the student's citizenship, leadership and character and that includes the student's career goals and how the scholarship would help them achieve those goals, and a short essay demonstrating their knowledge of electric/natural gas cooperatives and the value of the co-op to its members and community. Applicants also will need to submit two letters of recommendation, one from a teacher or other school personnel and one from a community member who is familiar with the student.

Deadline for application for the Jo-Carroll Energy scholarship is Jan. 31, 2011. Scholarship winners will be notified by May of 2011.
Applications for all scholarships are available from local school guidance counselors, Jo-Carroll Energy and online at www.jocarroll.com. For further information, please contact Peggy Francomb, corporate communications manager, at 800-858-5522 , ext. 1218.

Jo-Carroll Energy is a not-for-profit distribution cooperative owned and controlled by the members it has reliably served since 1939. Headquartered in Elizabeth, Ill., the cooperative currently serves nearly 26,000 electric and natural gas accounts in Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties. For more information on Jo-Carroll Energy, visit the cooperative's website at www.jocarroll.com.