LPEA now accepting applications for nine student scholarships  

Virtual information session slated for Jan. 18

La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is now accepting applications for nine continuing education scholarships for graduating high school seniors – including GED graduates – in its service territory. Scholarships range from $500 to $28,000 and can be used at any accredited school in the United States. Applications are due March 1, 2023. 

“One of our goals at LPEA is to empower a strong future workforce,” said LPEA CEO Jessica Matlock. “The energy industry is a fast-moving, dynamic sector that needs qualified employees in disciplines from linework and engineering to finance and communications. There is also a nationwide shortage of lineworkers, so this year we added one more lineworker scholarship to encourage more youth to pursue this career path.”

“I plan on being a lineman till the day I retire,” said Ryan Elliot, a 2022 LPEA Lineworker Scholarship recipient. “This scholarship will help me be one of those people up there supplying electricity to the U.S. Thank you for this opportunity. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Students and parents with questions are invited to join LPEA’s virtual Q&A Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. Registration details, scholarship information, and online application forms are available at lpea.coop/scholarships. 

Scholarship details: 

• LPEA Scholarship (2): LPEA will award two four-year scholarships for students attending any college or university in the U.S. beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. The LPEA Scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees (at $7,000/year over four years), given that the students maintain minimum qualifications. 
• LPEA/John Voelker Memorial Scholarship (2): LPEA will award two two-year scholarships for students attending any accredited vocational school, technical school, or community college in the U.S. beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. This scholarship covers tuition, books, fees, and supplies (at $5,000/year over two years), given that students maintain minimum qualifications. 
• LPEA Lineworker Scholarship (3): LPEA will award three one-year scholarships to students attending an accredited institution, including a vocational school, technical school, community college, or university in the U.S. majoring in an electrical lineworker program. This one-year scholarship ($12,000) covers tuition, books, fees, and supplies, given that the students maintain minimum qualifications. Any scholarship overage, following payment of tuition and fees, can be applied to the purchase of tools and supplies required in the trade. 
• Tri-State Scholarship (2): LPEA’s power supplier, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, Inc., offers two one-time $500 scholarships for students attending any college or university in the U.S. beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Funds for the LPEA, LPEA/John Voelker Memorial, and Lineman scholarships come from LPEA’s Unclaimed Capital Credit funds. The Tri-State Scholarship is funded by LPEA’s power provider, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, Inc. 

LPEA is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric distribution cooperative serving La Plata and Archuleta, with segments of Hinsdale, Mineral, and San Juan counties. LPEA is the fifth largest cooperative of 22 in Colorado and aims to provide safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost to its approximately 34,500 members. For additional information, contact LPEA at 970-247-5786 or visit lpea.coop.   

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