Scholarships

The Homer Foundation has more than $16,000 in scholarship funds available to area students. The scholarships are the Alain and Daniel Rieser Scholarship for foreign language study, the Homer Community Science Scholarship supporting post-secondary education in the life sciences, the Health Care Providers Scholarship supporting students serious pursuing a health care field, the Drew Scalzi Memorial Maritime Scholarship supporting students of fishing families and/or students wishing to pursue a career in Alaska's maritime industry, the Diane Wambach "Shoot for the Stars" Scholarship supporting education and training for young people with a plan to pursue their dream, the South Peninsula Professional Services Scholarship supporting students with outstanding academic achievements and a strong work ethic, and the Beluga Tail/Tale Writing Scholarship that will provide awards in both fiction and nonfiction writing. Applications are available and may be requested by mail, phone (235-0541) or email (jsteward@homerfund.org), picked up at the Homer Foundation or the Homer High School counselor's office, or downloaded from www.homerfund.org. Application deadline is April 25.

Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club has announced a $2,000 scholarship for a Homer High School 2008 graduating senior. Obtain applications from the HHS counselor's office. Applications must be postmarked by May 1.

Homer American Legion has three $500 each scholarships available for B/C average graduating high school students in the Homer greater area, including Seldovia, planning to attend a college or voc-tech school. Do not need to be a member of the American Legion. Deadline is May 1. Applications are available at HHS, Kachemak Bay Campus, the Homer Public Library, American Legion Post 16 in Homer. Call 235-8864.

Icicle Seafoods Inc. of Homer will grant three $500 scholarships to help defray the cost of a first year of schooling to any graduating student from Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Seldovia and Homer. Interested students need to submit a cover letter and resume, with references to their school counselors. Applicants do not have to be "A" or "B" students to be considered. Applications must be submitted to school counselors by May 9. Personal interviews will be conducted; applicants will be notified of the date and place of interview.

The International Pacific Halibut Commission funds several merit scholarships in support of university and technical college education. Generally, a single $2,000 scholarship per year is awarded and is renewable annually for a four-year period of an undergraduate education, subject to maintenance of satisfactory academic performance. Contact Laura Black at (206) 634-1838, ext. 201, or Bruce Leaman, ext. 203. Application deadline is June 29.

The Aleutian Harvester Memorial Fund was established in 1985, after the loss of the F/V Aleutian Harvester and its crew. It is an incorporated nonprofit organization, funded by donations. Although originally founded to assist in search efforts when a vessel is missing or lost at sea, in 1992 it branched out to assist families when a loved one has been lost at sea. In that spirit, the fund is branching out once again to offer two $1,000 scholarships to a 2008 high school graduate who or whose family is actively involved in the Alaska's commercial fishing-maritime industry. The scholarships assist in covering tuition at an accredited college, university or approved technical or trade school. Deadline is April 29. Applications are available from high school counselors.

Youth Conservation Corps

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is accepting applications for summer Youth Conservation Corps jobs. Applications, available at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Alaska Employment Service Office in Kenai or from local high school career counseling office, must be received May 9. Call (907) 262-7021.