First Wind announces fourth year of scholarships

BOSTON — First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, announced that applications will be open and available online as of today for its 2013 scholarship program.  Entering its fourth full year, First Wind Scholars will make scholarships available to qualified high school seniors in communities where the company currently has projects in operation or advanced stages of development.
As part of the 2013 program, as many as 15 one-time awards will be granted to students within host communities including Maine.  Qualified students enrolling in full-time degree programs focused on sciences or technology are invited to apply.  First Wind Scholars recipients will be awarded a one-time $3,000 scholarship for one year.  The company also awards one scholarship of $5,000, renewable for up to four years, to the year’s single most qualified applicant.
“We are very pleased to open up the application process for our First Wind Scholars, which demonstrate our commitment to the communities that host our project sites across the Northeast, West, and Hawaii,” said Carol Grant, senior vice president of external affairs at First Wind. “Last year, we received the most applications ever and this year we hope to see even more.  We hope students continue to take advantage of this scholarship program.”
In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students need a GPA of at least 2.75 and must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study with a major in the sciences and/or engineering or technology.  Applications are open and available online as of today, with all submissions due by Feb. 15. Applications are evaluated on a number of factors, including academic performance, work experience, school and community activities and a 300-word essay.  The First Wind Scholars recipients will be announced in May 2013.
High school seniors who attend the following public or private high schools near the following First Wind projects in Maine are eligible to apply — Mars Hill Wind (Mars Hill); Oakfield Wind (Dyer Brook and Oakfield); and Stetson Wind I & II (Danforth and surrounding communities).
Since 2010, First Wind has issued 40 one-year $3,000 scholarships for college-bound high school students from project communities, who have an expressed interest in science, technology and/or the environment.  Additionally, the company has granted three four-year $5,000 scholarships for select students from the applicant pools.  The program and selection of recipients is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a leading designer and manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations and other institutions. The program has grown each year and scholarships have been awarded to 43 students totaling more than $175,000.
For more information, or for eligible students to fill out an e-application, please visit http://www.firstwind.com/scholars.