Wheatland County, Wheatland Wind Project offer second round of scholarships
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wheatland County and the Wheatland Wind Project have partnered for the second year running to offer the Community Benefit Scholarship to local students intending to continue their post-secondary education.
Through the program, a minimum of one scholarship is to be awarded annually to a high-achieving student enrolled in a Wheatland County school.
It is also specified that priority for a scholarship within reasonable effort outside of a Wheatland County school will be given to Golden Hills School Division schools.
An eligible student is to indicate their intent on their application to attend further studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
“It is part of an agreement that Wheatland County has with Wheatland Wind and they supply funding for up to two scholarships,” said Dave Rimes, community services coordinator with Wheatland County. “It is for high school students who are headed up to university. It is (up to) $2,000 per scholarship, and then up to two scholarships are awarded.”
Funding has not been made available to persons qualifying for or participating in job training assistance grants or previous scholarship recipients.
Wheatland County has indicated successful applicants will be selected on the grounds of academic merit, school and community activities, and their mark given on their application essay.
Any awarded funds will be made payable to the student’s post-secondary institution on the grounds that the money will be utilized to assist in funding tuition, learning resources, or housing.
Should the student leave the institution prior to the scholarship being paid, the money will be returned to Wheatland County.
“The Wheatland Wind (Project), they wanted to provide a community benefit program, and a scholarship was one of the areas that they were looking at, as well as community grants,” said Rimes.
Last year, the maximum grant amount made available by the Wheatland Wind Project had not entirely been claimed by the time the application window for students had closed.
The Wheatland County Community Benefit Scholarship application pages are available from Wheatland County Administration in person, or online through the county website.
Further information about applying for the grant can be obtained similarly, or by contacting Rimes at 403-361-2171, or by email (parks@wheatlandcounty.ca).
Applications are accepted by email, online, by mail, or by delivery in person, and must be submitted to Wheatland County by or before July 31.
An essay consisting of between 100 and 200 words must be included in a student’s application, stating who they are, outlining their career goals, and discussing their contributions either to their local community or to their school.