Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship Program

FRS Scholarship Program

Download Application Here

SkyLine Membership Corporation is a local sponsor of the annual Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship Program. Area high school seniors whose parents are telephone service customers of SkyLine Membership Corporation of SkyBest Communications may apply for a $2,500 Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship.

FRS was established in 1994 by the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which SkyLine is a member. The FRS promotes, educates and advocates rural telecom issues in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America. Through its various programs and initiatives, the foundation strongly supports the continuing education of rural youth.

Each year, a total of 30 one-time, $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to rural high school seniors: one per geographic region of the NTCA membership and one to a student sponsored by a NTCA associate member. The remaining 19 awards are distributed proportionate to the number of applications received per region. FRS will fund $2,000 of each scholarship, with the sponsoring cooperative of each winning student providing a $500 match.

According to the FRS, more than two-thirds of rural Americans with postsecondary degrees never return to their rural communities, so this program gives particular emphasis to those students who plan to return to their community following college. Eligibility requirements include the following:

 

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

» Applicants must be children of SkyLine members or SkyBest Communications customers who subscribe to either company's telephone services.
» Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who reside full-time with their parent(s) in the companies' service area.
» Applicants must have at least a C grade-point-average (GPA). FRS scholarships will be awarded to deserving students whose academic credentials fall within an average to above-average range.
» Applicants must be accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
» Applicants must express an interest to return to a rural community following graduation.
» Applications must be sponsored by SkyLine, an NTCA-member company.
» Children of SkyLine employees or directors are not eligible for the FRS Scholarship.
» Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

Applications for the FRS Scholarship are available in mid-January at SkyLine customer service centers, area high school guidance departments, or can be downloaded here. Application deadline is Friday, February 17. For more information, contact Karen Powell, Public Relations Administrator, at 1-800-759-2226.

To date, six area high school students have been named as FRS Scholarship winners:

2006
Justin Hodges
Michelle Rhodes

2007
Ray Phipps

2009
Katie Cole
Jessica Koontz

2010
Anderson Profitt

2011
Courtney Bowers
Christopher Hamby

 

FRANK JAMES-SKYLINE SCHOLARSHIP CONTACTS

Alleghany High School
    Linda Miller, Guidance Department, 336-372-4554

Ashe County High School
    Tara Miller, Guidance Department, 336-846-2400

Avery County High School
    Jamie Johnson, Guidance Department, 828-733-0151

Watauga High School
    Jane Rogers, Guidance Department, 828-264-2407

Johnson County High School
    Priscilla Davis, Guidance Department, 423-727-2620

SkyLine Membership Corporation
    Karen Powell, Public Relations Administrator, 800-759-2226

 

FRS Scholarship Eligibility, Instructions, Terms, & Conditions

FRS Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

Deadline
 Please return completed application to SkyLine’s corporate offices by Friday, February 17, 2011.

Mail to: 

SkyLine Membership Corporation
Attn:  Karen Powell
PO Box 759
West Jefferson, NC  28694