OOIDA scholarship receiving applications until Feb. 1

Since the OOIDA Mary Johnston scholarship started in 1998, more than $315,000 in scholarships have been awarded to about 100 students. The program has allowed the students from a trucking family to seek a higher education at a university or technical school.

High school seniors, who want to be the next recipients of the OOIDA scholarship, must have their application and all required materials postmarked by Feb. 1.

Each year, the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund awards one $2,000 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships. The students, who must be children, grandchildren or legal dependents of OOIDA members, are selected in a blind evaluation conducted by the Scholarship Advisory Committee. The scholarships can be renewed for up to four years.

Students must submit an application, a 500-word essay, and a transcript from high school or an institution of higher learning.

Scholarship awards are transferred directly to the student’s selected institution and can be renewed for a total of four years. The funds can be used for tuition or any legitimate school-related expenses.

Go to the OOIDA website to learn more about the scholarship program and to download an application.

Last year’s scholarship winners were Kyle Klocke, Sean Daniels, Madelyne Louise Jacks, Lauren Elizabeth Hardin, Kailee Gibbons and Caitlyn C. Gilbertson.

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made here.