APPLICATION DEADLINE: 4:00 P.M. February 20, 2026

PURPOSE:

In order to carry on an educational and training program that encourages Ohio’s rural youth to further their education and gives them an opportunity to become more aware of careers in the rural electric program, the Children of Members scholarship awards program is offered by North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NWEC) and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (OEC).

AWARDS:

Four winners will each receive a $2,000 cash award. The awards are non-renewable.

One local winner of this scholarship will be named as the overall winner and will advance to the statewide level where they will compete for additional cash.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST -

To be considered for this award, all the following MUST BE submitted with the application. Before beginning the application below, please be prepared to provide these materials.

  • An official, signed grade transcript. 

  • One letter of recommendation.

    • The letter may be typed or handwritten and must be no longer than 500 words. 

  • A recent photo of the applicant - A photocopy of a photo is acceptable. 

 

Scholarship Rules 

The following provisions will govern the acceptance of applicants for the Children of Members Scholarship:

  1. Applicants must be the son, daughter, or legal ward of a permanent residential NWEC member receiving service for the duration of the 2025-2026 academic year (August 2025 - June 2026). Children/wards of NWEC commercial members are not eligible unless one of their parents/legal guardians is also a permanent residential NWEC member.
  2. Applicants must be graduating seniors who have all basic credits for college or proper vocational or technical school entrance. A “proper vocational or technical school” is defined as a post-secondary institution where credits can be transferred to a state accredited four-year college.
  3. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent standing on a nontraditional scale.
  4. Winners must provide proof of enrollment in an accredited college or proper vocational/technical school of students’ choice to claim their scholarship. Winners who are accepted and then enrolled in an accredited school of nursing, working toward a degree, are also eligible.
  5. Scholarships must be claimed within six months of the date on the winner’s notification letter. Extensions may be granted for just cause if requested in writing before July 1, 2026.
  6. Students may not be immediate family members of, or reside with, people who are employed by any electric cooperative in Ohio (employees, trustees, managers, OEC, or affiliated organizations such as Buckeye Power, Inc., RESCO, etc.).
  7. Applicants who receive “full-ride” scholarships (i.e., scholarships that cover the cost of tuition, room, board and books) to the schools of their choice are not eligible for scholarships from NWEC or OEC. 
  8. These rules supersede all previous rules for this scholarship.

All rules stated within this document conform to the policies and program guidelines as set forth by North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Inc.