CBT Accepting Applications for College Community Service Awards
By Contributor
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is now accepting applications for its College Community Service Awards program. CBT presents these awards in partnership with four Basin-based Colleges and includes 22 awards of $2,000 each divided amongst students attending Selkirk College (10), College of the Rockies (10), Valemount Campus of College of New Caledonia (1) and the Revelstoke Centre of Okanagan College (1).
These awards are available for those students who have taken a hiatus of at least one year after completing high school and are actively volunteering in their community.
“It’s not uncommon for students to put their post-secondary education on hold after high school – for travel, work, family or any number of reasons,” said Neil Muth, CBT President and CEO. “When they do decide to return to school, students find a shortage of scholarship options and that’s where CBT’s award program comes in. Based on volunteer community service rather than academic standing, these awards provide an opportunity for those residents who are already proving to be valuable assets in their communities to further their education.”
Volunteer service refers to a significant contribution of time, energy and/or talent that fosters social, environmental or economic well-being without resulting in a financial benefit to the applicant. The adjudication process will give added weight to volunteer activities which are focused on providing benefit to Basin communities, but other volunteer activities will be considered.
Academic achievement will be considered only in the context that a solid academic performance ensures the applicant’s ability to successfully complete his or her chosen post-secondary program, not as a key determining factor.
Detailed award eligibility criteria are available with the application forms. The deadline to submit an application for the College Community Service Award is June 30, 2009 and applications are available at www.cbt.org/Programs <http://www.cbt.org/Programs> . Applications are also available at all of the participating colleges’ websites or at any of the four CBT offices.
CBT has another scholarship program targeting graduating high school students. This year CBT increased the number of Youth Community Service Awards from 20 to 45. The deadline for these awards closed on April 10, 2009.
CBT delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org <http://www.cbt.org/> or call 1-800-505-8998.
