Tri-County Opportunities Council will award 20 scholarships to low-income students residing in the council’s nine-county service area.

The scholarships, each worth $1,000, have been made available by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through its Community Services Block Grant.

Tri-County’s CEO Sandra Julifs stated that preference would be given to students pursuing “high tech” careers or other growth occupations, though that fact should not discourage interested persons from applying.

Applicants of racial or ethnic minorities, as well as previous scholarship recipients, are also encouraged to apply.

At least one scholarship will be awarded in each county of Tri-County’s service area: Bureau, Carroll, La Salle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside counties.

To be eligible, the following criteria must be met: The applicant must be a member of a low-income household; must plan on attending an accredited Illinois post-secondary educational institution as a full-time student this fall; and must be a resident of one of the aforementioned counties.

Further information and application forms may be obtained from Tri-County Opportunities Council, P.O. Box 610, Rock Falls, IL, 61071 or by calling 800-323-5434 or online at www.tcochelps.com.

The deadline for applying is April 13.

Related Tags: Education News, Grant, Scholarship, Student