In May, Coastal Electric Cooperative staff attended awards ceremonies at five local schools to award 18 scholarships valued at almost $50,000 to deserving students.
These scholarships ranged from $500 for completing Coastal Electric Cooperative’s Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow summer work study program and $2,500 Washington Youth Tour scholarships for those who served as delegates in Washington, D.C., to foundation scholarships to help students attend technical colleges and universities.
The highest amounts awarded went to six students, who earned $5,000 each for their first year of college, and could earn up to $20,000 by the time they graduate.
Primary funding for these scholarships comes from Operation Round Up, a voluntary program in which Coastal Electric Cooperative members allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next whole dollar each month. The spare change is invested back into the community through the Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation to meet the food, health, safety, education and shelter needs of citizens in Bryan, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.
