The Board of Directors of The Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation announced today two new scholarships available to northwest Arkansas residents. The two scholarships announced are The Willie George Scholarship Fund and The Stanley & Annabel Applegate Scholarship Fund.

The Stanley and Annabel Applegate Scholarship was established by the couple to provide financial assistance to Springdale residents interested in pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. The scholarship helps deserving students continue their education by providing financial assistance for tuition, fees, and books. Qualified applicants must be Springdale residents who are: graduating seniors at Springdale High School, students enrolled as undergraduate or graduate level students at the U of O, or nontraditional students (adults returning to school). The criteria for selection of the scholarship recipient is determined by the selection committee, and may include, but not limited to, student activities, financial need, community involvement, special circumstances (U of O Learning Program), and academic performance.

The Willie George Scholarship Fund was created by the Gene George and Lillian Redwine families in memory of their mother, Willie George. The fund provides financial assistance to northwest Arkansas residents enrolling in a course of study in nursing or other health-related professions. This includes undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as candidates in non-degree programs in a health care field. Scholarships are for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Qualified applicants must be residents of northwest Arkansas and enrolled in a course of study in nursing or other health-related professions at schools in northwest Arkansas. The criteria for selection of the scholarship recipient will be determined by the selection committee, and may include, but not limited to, academic performance, financial need, community involvement, and student leadership.

The amount of these scholarships are to be determined by the scholarship selection committees based on factors including, but not limited to, the cost of tuition and fees, the pool of applicants, and the amount of funds available from the individual trust funds. Both scholarships are renewable providing the student maintains a 2.0 academic achievement level and remains enrolled as a student.

Applications for both of these scholarships are available on the foundation's website at www.nwacommunityfoundation.org or may be picked up at the Foundation's offices at 122 S. Main in Bentonville or 610 E. Emma in Springdale. Complete applications must be submitted by February 1st, 2001, and scholarship recipients will be notified of their awards in mid April.

The Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation was founded in 1998 as the Community Foundation of Bentonville/Bella Vista. In November, its purpose was expanded to include all of Northwest Arkansas, and to serve as the lead public foundation operated in conjunction with CommunityCare, Inc.

The Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation is a publicly supported organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Northwest Arkansas communities through an active partnership with donors who believe that permanent change can occur through effective charitable giving. For more information about establishing a scholarship fund contact us at 479.254.3340.