Grady EMC scholarships offered

It comes as no surprise that paying for a college degree is something that can be achieved without the benefit of a college scholarship. The shock comes when students and families begin the grim task of calculating the enormous costs associated with obtaining a two- or four-year degree.

In the 2013-2014 school year, the “moderate” cost of attending an in-state public college averaged $23,000. The “moderate” cost to attend a private college averaged $45,000.

To give some measure of financial relief and to encourage students to pursue a post-secondary education, Grady EMC is currently accepting applications for the Walter Harrison Scholarship, a program sponsored by Georgia’s 41 electric cooperatives.

The $1,000 scholarship can be applied to academic expenses at any accredited two- or four-year university, college or vocational-technical institute in Georgia.

In 2015, Walter Harrison Scholarships will be awarded to nine students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Factors for consideration include grade point average, test scores, academic standing, scholastic honors and community involvement. A scholarship committee comprised of EMC directors and managers judge blind applications and select recipients who exceed in these areas and demonstrate a financial need.

Students who apply for the scholarship must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program. They also must complete an application and write a biographical sketch which provides a preview of his or her future plans.

The scholarship is partially funded through a silent auction held each year at Georgia EMC’s Annual Meeting. The 41 electric co-ops throughout Georgia donate unique items representative of every region of the state. Last year’s auction raised more than $10,000 which went to help eight deserving students pursue their academic goals:

Stephen Jenkins, Jackson EMC

Sarah Kang, Walton EMC

Katherine Russell, Colquitt EMC

Claire Rohrer, Walton EMC

Alec Hendrix, Altamaha EMC

Mallory Harris, Diverse Power

Sierra Fleming, Snapping Shoals EMC

Rachel Maddox, Central Georgia EMC

Created in 1985 by the board of directors of Georgia EMC, the scholarship pays tribute to the late Walter Harrison, a pioneer in the rural electricity movement and a leader at local, state and national levels in the electric cooperative program.

Since 1985, Georgia’s electric cooperatives have awarded more than $162,000 to students through the Walter Harrison Scholarship program.

Those interested in applying for the scholarship should contact their guidance department counselors at their respective schools to receive an application packet. In addition to the application form, applicants will need to submit an autobiography, school transcripts, grade point average, SAT scores, academic standing, community involvement, scholastic honors, letters of recommendation and proof of enrollment or an acceptance letter.

The applications must be submitted to Grady EMC no later than Friday, Jan. 30, in order to be considered. Winners will be announced by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation on or before April 1.

Grady EMC, based in Cairo, is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to approximately 13,200 members in Decatur, Grady, and Thomas counties.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 41 EMCs, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively, Georgia’s customer-owned EMCs provide electricity and related services to more than four million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area.