High School Seniors – EmPOWERing Your Future

To encourage careers with rural electric cooperatives, LPEA is giving away two John Voelker Memorial Scholarships for high school graduating students. If you're going to a vocational school, technical school, junior college, or university in the U.S., this is for you! The scholarship pays for your tuition, fees, books, tools, and supplies. Each winner gets $5,000 a year for two years. Just make sure you are enrolled full-time and keep your grades up to stay qualified!

Scholarship Eligibility:

  • You must be a member of LPEA.
  • You must be a high school graduate from any high school or a home school program or have attained your GED within LPEA's service territory, including Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and Ignacio.
  • Enroll as a first-year student at any accredited institution of higher education, including a vocational school, technical school, junior college, or university in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year.
  • Your major or program must lead to a degree, certification, or license in your field of study and relate to a rural electric industry career.
  • While enrolled, you must maintain a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent grade point average and successfully complete a minimum of 15 academic credits each term.

Ready to apply? Here Are the Documents You'll Need for the Application Below:

  1. 500-word Essay: This should detail your college aspirations and explain how they could align with a future career at a rural electric cooperative association. The essay needs to be interesting, clearly linking your academic and career goals to the mission or work of rural electric cooperatives.

  2. High School Transcript or Equivalent: This is to provide evidence of your academic success. It could be your official high school grades from your school counselor or another form of academic record if you're not in a traditional high school system.

  3. List of Honors/Extracurricular Activities: Write down any special awards you've received or things you do outside of class, like work, clubs, or sports. This shows us you do well in more than just school.

  4. Two Letters About You: These reference letters should come from individuals who can speak to your character, dedication, and passion. They could be teachers, mentors, community leaders, or anyone else who knows you well in a personal, professional, or academic capacity.

  5. Share Any Challenges (Optional): If you want, you can write about any tough situations you've had, especially if they affected your schoolwork or personal life. This helps us understand any gaps or changes you may have had with your grades, honors, or extracurricular activities and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your perseverance. 

Next Steps:

  • The scholarship application will be available from December 1 to March 1.
  • Join the Scholarship Information Webinar to learn tips for submitting a standout application in February.
  • The selection committee will review applications in March. Winners will be notified in April.

Deadline Alert!

Mark March 1 on your calendar. That's the last day to submit your application for consideration.