November 10, 2021 Round Up for Education Scholarships

2021 Round Up for Education scholarships awarded

Columbia, MS- The education careers of 187 students from throughout Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s 12-county service area will get a financial boost this fall. Each will receive a scholarship of $500 to help them attend state community colleges this year, thanks to the generous spirit and support of the Association’s members.

This is the ninth year for the Round Up for Education scholar’s program, which is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. Scholarships are available to members who do the round up, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen this fall.

“The Round Up for Education program is an example of how electric cooperatives and their members can improve their communities through education,” said CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware.  “Education is vital to improving the future for all of us in south Mississippi.”

PRVEPA serves more than 51,000 meters. Since the Round Up program began in November 2012, more than $1.8 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future use. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants, resulting this year in 187 scholarships worth $500 per student. In the program’s 9 years, 1,838 students have now received scholarships.

“Sometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents, can make the biggest impact in our communities,” said Ware.  “While it may not seem like your spare change can do much, when combined with the generosity of your fellow Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member and improve the quality of life in your communities.  Working together is the cooperative way and that can make a big difference.”

Scholarship recipients this year include 88 students attending Pearl River Community College, 45 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and 28 at Jones College. An additional 26 students are attending 9 other state community colleges. Overall, students came from 23 different high schools and home school programs.

Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1 go toward next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2022 scholarships will be available beginning in November.

Pearl River Valley Electric is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative that distributes electricity to more than 51,000 members in 12-counties in central and south Mississippi.  It is headquartered in Columbia and has offices in Hattiesburg, Purvis, and Wiggins.

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