2025 Round Up Scholarships Awarded

Over the past 13 years, Pearl River Valley Electric’s Round Up for Education Scholarship program has helped more than 2,500 students achieve higher education. This fall, 178 students throughout Pearl River Valley Electric’s 12-county service area will receive scholarships to help them begin their college journey. Each student will receive a total of $800 in scholarship funds, distributed in two installments—$400 for the fall semester and $400 for the spring semester—thanks to the generosity of our members. In the program’s 13 years, 2,532 students have now received scholarships.

Pearl River Valley Electric’s Round Up for Education program is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. Scholarships are available to members who participate in the program, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen this fall.

“Our members make this program possible,” said CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware. “By coming together and giving just a little each month, they are opening doors of opportunity for students who might not otherwise have this kind of support.”

Scholarship recipients this year include 102 students attending Pearl River Community College, 34 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 28 at Jones College, and 14 students enrolled at four other state community colleges. Overall, students came from 24 different high schools and home school programs.

“It’s amazing to see how spare change can create such a powerful impact,” Ware added. “When thousands of members work together, their generosity not only changes individual lives but also strengthens the entire community. That spirit of cooperation is what makes this program so special.”

Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1 go toward next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2026 scholarships will be available beginning this month.