Scholarships

For several years, Illinois electric cooperatives have awarded scholarships to young men and women who demonstrated dedication to a goal and a strong work ethic.

In 2012, seven scholarships of $1,250 each will be awarded to eligible high school seniors through the Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperative (IEC) Memorial Scholarship Program. In addition, an eighth scholarship – to assist with costs in attending an electric lineworker school – will also be offered. Four scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who are the sons or daughters of an Illinois electric cooperative member receiving service from the cooperative. A fifth scholarship, the Earl W. Struck Memorial Scholarship, will be awarded to a student who is the son or daughter of an Illinois electric cooperative employee. The sixth and seventh scholarships are reserved for students enrolling full-time at a two-year Illinois community college who are the sons or daughters of Illinois electric cooperative members, employees or directors. A new eighth annual scholarship, the “LaVern and Nola McEntire Lineworker’s Scholarship,” was awarded for the first time in 2011. This $1,250 scholarship will help pay for costs to attend the lineworker’s school conducted by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in conjunction with Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Ill. LaVern McEntire served as a lineman for McDonough Power Electric Cooperative from 1949 until 1991. He and his wife, Nola, endowed the new scholarship to financially assist deserving individuals in becoming trained lineworkers. Sons and daughters of co-op members; relatives of co-op employees or directors; and individuals who have served or are serving in the armed forces or National Guard are all eligible for the lineworker’s scholarship.

For more information regarding the scholarships, contact MJM Electric Cooperative at 217-854-3137 and ask for Member Services. All necessary paperwork has also been sent to area high school guidance counselors and is also available for download above.

Students applying for the seven traditional (non-lineworker) scholarships will this year have a December 31, 2011 deadline for returning their completed applications and submissions to MJM Electric. Individuals applying for the LaVern and Nola McEntire Lineworker's Scholarship will have an April 30, 2012 deadline.

Illustration by Renjith Krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net