Giving back to our communities - helping students achieve their goals

Commitment to community is one of the basic foundations on which West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) stands. To support the educational goals of the students in the communities it serves, WFEC will sponsor a $1,000 educational scholarship to one eligible 2023 graduating student at each high school within the cooperative's four-county service area. A scholarship will also be available to home-schooled students who wish to continue their education. These scholarships are for study at post-secondary or vocational/technical institutions. 

Deadline to apply: April 18, 2023

Eligibility:
To qualify, a student's parent or legal guardian must be a member of West Florida Electric Cooperative. Applicants must also be graduating in 2023 from a school located within the cooperative's four-county service area. Recipients will be selected by a committee of judges. 

General Information:
Thirteen (13) $1,000 scholarships (one to a graduating student from each high school in the co-op's service area) will be awarded annually. Winners will receive notification of their award in late April or early may. All checks will be made payable to the college, university or vocational/technical school.

Instructions:
Complete the application and write a 500-1,000 word essay on the topic, "What makes cooperatives different from other types of utilities?" Incomplete, late or misdirected applications will not be considered. 

In your essay, do not include any indications of who you are, where you live or where you attend school. Any such reference will immediately disqualify you. Also, do not include your name anywhere on your essay. This includes headers, footers and page numbers. 

Submit applications online or mail to:
West Florida Electric Cooperative
Attention: Candace Croft
PO Box 127
Graceville, FL 32440

Criteria:

• All applications must be submitted by April 18, 2023.
• Applicants must be graduating in 2023 from a school located within the cooperative's four-county service area. 
• The applicant's parent or legal guardian must be a member of West Florida Electric Cooperative.
• The applicant must be enrolled or enrolling in an accredited college program, either full-time or part-time. 
• The recipient must be a vocational/technical or undergraduate student only. 
• The scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the college's business office on behalf of the recipient in the amount of $1,000.
• The recipient must use the funds within three (3) years.
• The judges will review the applications anonymously, so their decisions are based solely on the strength of the applicant's essay and application. 
• All judges' decisions are final. 
• Previous winners are not eligible to win. 
• Winners will be announced in late April or early May each year. 

Any questions should be directed to Candace Croft at 850-263-3231 or ccroft@westflorida.coop.

Checklist:
Before submitting your application, please do a final check to make sure that all the necessary documents are included. Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be considered. 

• Essays must be typed and double-spaced. No exceptions.
• Essays (if printed and mailed) must be printed on one side of the paper, do not print on the back. Use only plain white paper when printing. 
• Essays must be 500-1,000 words. Be clear and concise. 
• Proofread your essays before submitting your application. Points will be deducted for grammatical errors and misspelled words. 
• Do not staple your essay or application (if printed).
• All blanks on the application must be completed. If any data does not apply to you 9for example, if you do not have an email address or home phone), put N/A (not applicable) in the blank. 
• In your essay, do not include any indications of who you are, where you live or where you attend school. Any such reference will immediately disqualify you. Also, do not include your name anywhere on your essay. This includes headers, footers and page numbers. 

Apply Online