Burns announces House scholarships availability
Rep. Frank Burns January 6, 2016
EBENSBURG, Jan. 6 – Applications for two scholarships offered through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are now being accepted online, according to state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, who urges interested students to apply before the March 1 deadline.
Although it may seem like a long shot, Burns said that Brea Neri, a graduate of Windber Area High School and resident of the 72nd Legislative District, was awarded one of the 2011 scholarships.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for worthy students to earn a four-year scholarship for their post-secondary education, so they shouldn’t be shy about applying,” Burns said. “Even better, these scholarships are privately funded by individual and corporate donors, which means no tax or other public funds are used. That’s even more important, given our current unresolved state budget situation.”
Burns said the program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible. Other factors taken into consideration are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need.
The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Once on its website at www.tfec.org, type “House of Representatives” in the keyword search box, which will take you to a link where you can get more information and make an online application.
The Office of the Chief Clerk of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives assists in facilitating the scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.
Burns said his offices can also assist students with FAFSA applications and questions about PHEAA loans and grants. Constituents can call his Lower Yoder Township office at 814-536-8400, his Ebensburg office at 814-472-8021 or his Portage office at 814-736-7339.