Applications are available here for about $20,000 in scholarships to be awarded by Matanuska Electric Association.
MEA’s Board of Directors created the Scholarship Foundation in 1990. Annual earnings from the foundation help fund the scholarships.
The Scholarship Committee has set aside special scholarships for a vocational student, a student who has excelled in public service, and a nontraditional student – such as a homemaker returning to school to resume an education. Completed scholarship applications and letters of reference are due in March.
Long-time Scholarship Committee Chair Maryann Lisenby of Palmer said the committee weighs each applicant’s scholastic achievement, letters of reference and financial plan. Although the scholarships aren’t based on need, students complete a financial plan, estimating their projected income and college or trade school expenses. Lisenby said this helps demonstrate to the committee the student’s financial understanding and preparation for college or trade school.
The Scholarship Committee, comprised of MEA members who volunteer to serve, also looks closely at a “personal data narrative,” a short essay that includes a mini-biography and describes the student’s involvement in local clubs, school and community activities and/or work experience. Students are expected to outline their career goals and explain why they believe they should receive a scholarship.
“The narrative is an extremely important component of the application,” said Lisenby, a retired teacher. “It gives the committee members a sense of who the student is and how likely he or she is to make good use of a MEA scholarship.”
Scholarship applications will be available at local high schools, colleges, trade schools and MEA offices, and on the co-op’s web site at www.MEA.coop. The applicants, or their parents or legal guardians, must be active MEA members.
The committee will interview finalists in April and announce the awards at MEA’s Annual Membership Meeting.
For additional information, call Pattie Worrell at MEA at 761-9216 or 689-9216, or send an e-mail to
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