The Benton REA is committed to support the education of all our youth. To make sure a wide range of students have access to the five Benton REA scholarships awarded each year, we offer two scholarship programs: Trade/Technical and Academic.

Trade/Technical Scholarships:
Each year the Benton REA awards up to five separate $8,000 trade/technical scholarships to qualifying children of Benton REA members, or members themselves whose main residence is within Benton, Yakima or Lewis counties and are graduating high school seniors. The scholarship winners receive the $8,000 in equal installments based on the duration of the selected curriculum. Trade/Technical Scholarships can only be used for a program that is a maximum of two years in length and must be at a technical or trade institution or a pre-approved Certification Program or Associate in Applied Science Program at a community college or university. Students must submit a completed application, copies of transcripts, a summary from a Vocational Director, and a 500-word essay.
Click on Trade/Technical Provisions to get a full description of the requirements.
Click on Trade/Technical Application to apply for a Trade/Technical Scholarship.

Academic Scholarships:
Each year the Benton REA awards up to five separate $8,000 continuing education scholarships to qualifying children of Benton REA members, or members themselves whose main residence is within Benton, Yakima or Lewis counties and are graduating high school seniors. The scholarship winners receive $2,000 each year for four years of continuing education. Students must submit a completed application, copies of transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and a 500-word essay.
Click on Academic Provisions to get a full description of the requirements.
Click on Academic Application to apply for a Academic Scholarship.

Information packets and applications are mailed out to high schools within Benton REA's service territory during the first week of September. Complete applications are due by the end of November. Scholarship recipients are notified by the second week of January. The Scholarships are awarded during the Benton REA Annual Meeting in February.

The program is widely publicized in local media, bill inserts and through the Association's member magazine, Ruralite. If you would like more information about Benton REA's Scholarship Program, please contact Member Services at (509) 786-2913, toll free at (800) 221-6987, or e-mail Scholarship Information.