Groups offer scholarships

Three area organizations are offering scholarships for continued education.

Jefferson-Van Buren Reading Council

The Jefferson-Van Buren Reading Council is offering a scholarship grant for up to $400 to undergraduate or graduate students planning to take coursework in the area of reading in the near future.

Those interested can request an application from scholarship committee chairwoman Janet Morris by writing to her c/o Pence Elementary School, 1000 S. Sixth St., Fairfield 52556 or emailing janet.morris@fairfieldsfuture.org.

Two letters of recommendation must be included with the application, and all materials must be received by March 30.

Richland Pink Party

The Richland Pink Party for a Cure is again offering academic scholarships to residents of Keokuk, Jefferson, Wapello, Washington and Mahaska counties who have been affected by breast cancer and who are entering a healthcare-related field of study.

This year, three $1,500 scholarships are being offered, and applications are being taken applications until April 30.

For information, contact Darcy Hackert at 319-456-2132 or darcy@richlandpinkparty.org or Karissa Hackert at 608-219-4528 or karissa@richlandpinkparty.org.

The Arc of Jefferson and Nearby Counties

The Arc is offering a $500 Susan Presley Arc Scholarship to assist a student from a local high school special education program in pursuing a post-secondary education at an accredited institution.

The scholarship will apply toward a two- or four-year training program or vocational training. The applicant must show verification he or she has been accepted by the school and has a learning or developmental disability. A current Individualized Education Program, psychological report or a similar document to show proof of disability must accompany the application before consideration will be given to the applicant.

The Arc also will be awarding a $500 James Horan Scholarship to a college student who has begun or is in his or her junior year of college or beyond, pursuing education in a field related to mental retardation and developmental disabilities, such as: social worker, psychiatric nursing, special education, speech or occupational therapist.

The applicant for the James Horan Scholarship must be a resident of Jefferson County or a nearby county.

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 10.  All application forms and papers are treated as confidential material.

For information and an application, contact Janet Kreber at 319-694-3209 or email janet.kreber@pekincsd.org  and leave a message stating your address and which materials are requested.