Scholarships

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 three separate $8,000 trade/technical scholarships to qualifying children of Benton REA members, or members themselves whose main residence receives electricity from Benton REA 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 univerity. Students must submit a completed application, copies of transcripts, a summary from a Vocational Director, and a 500-word essay on the following topic: We are facing a crisis in meeting the job demands for new positions in trades and crafts, particularly in regards to electrical lineman. What are your recommendations to resolve this labor force problem?
Trade/Technical Application & Provisions

Academic Scholarships:
Each year the Benton REA awards two separate $8,000 continuing education scholarships to qualifying children of Benton REA members, or members themselves whose main residence receives electricity from Benton REA 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 on the following topic: What are some of the current obstacles facing the development of new generation resources both conventional and renewable, and how would you propose to reduce or eliminate them?
Academic Application & Provisions

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. To find out who the latest Benton REA scholarship recipients are, click on Scholarship winners.

The program is widely publicized in local media 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 or 1-800-221-6987 or e-mail Scholarship information.