Flathead Electric scholarship applications due Feb. 25

Flathead Electric Cooperative is offering over $117,000 in scholarships to local students this year.

Applications are due Feb. 25. Graduating high school seniors across the co-op’s service area, as well as current undergraduates, are encouraged to explore the requirements at flatheadelectric.com/scholarships.

 All of the scholarships are funded by unclaimed capital credits. Despite the co-op’s best efforts to return capital credits to its members, some go unclaimed. Usually, this is because a member moves and doesn’t update their mailing address. 

The co-op can use capital credits that go unclaimed for five or more years for educational purposes. If the co-op chose not to use the unclaimed capital credits for educational purposes, these funds would go into the Montana general fund. 

The co-op strives to award scholarship dollars across its service area to meet varied community needs. Scholarship dollars are earmarked for each area high school, including Stillwater Christian School. Dollars are also set aside for homeschool graduates and for those already attending a post-secondary Montana education institution. Additionally, scholarships are awarded each year to students pursuing trades degrees.  

 Co-op scholarships range from $1,500 to $6,000. The applicant or their parent/legal guardian must be a member of Flathead Electric Cooperative, served by the co-op at their primary residence.  

Scholarship opportunities via co-op partners Basin Electric Power Cooperative and the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association (MECA) are also open. Those applications close Jan. 15, 2024.