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HomeNewsArchivesWAPA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

WAPA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

March 31, 2004 — The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is seeking tomorrow’s engineers today. Alva C. McFarlane Scholarship 2004 applications are now available at local high schools and at WAPA business offices for graduating seniors who will pursue engineering and technical degrees at accredited colleges or universities.
This is the 13th year that local high school seniors have been eligible to receive the scholarship, which promotes advanced education and technical training for the benefit of the recipient and the Authority. It also allows the Authority to supplement its work force with well-trained employees.
Funds will be granted in the form of a noninterest-bearing loan. Recipients are expected to repay the scholarship/loan by returning to the Authority as employees for a minimum of one year for each year the scholarship was received.
Candidates seeking engineering degrees or pursuing degrees in the technical or computer-related fields may qualify for one of four scholarship/loans offered to students throughout the territory.
Two students from the St. Croix district and two students from the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island district may be awarded either a $60,000 scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree or a $20,000 scholarship for an associate's degree. Recipients may apply the scholarship towards school-related expenses such as fees, room and board, books, supplies and transportation. One of each type of scholarship will be available in each district.
The scholarship program, named for Alva C. McFarlane, a former deceased board member and technical education advocate, has been revamped to include a more intense mentoring process. Former scholarship recipients known as Alva C. McFarlane mentors will be assigned to each 2004 recipient. These professionals will advise and work closely with awardees to ensure their success during their college program. Mentors will also provide guidance to award recipients who opt to gain hands-on experience by working for WAPA during their summer breaks.
The new system will ensure that students returning to the territory will be well rounded and better prepared to begin their assignments upon graduation. McFarlane scholars are presently employed at WAPA in technical and management positions.
Applications are available at all area high schools. Interested applicants may pick up application packages from either their guidance counselors or from the personnel offices located in WAPA business offices on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
Applications are also available at the customer service office on St. John. All inquiries may be directed to the Division of Corporate Affairs on St. Croix at 773 -2250, ext. 4087.
Completed packages must be returned to the Authority no later than May 5, 2004.

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