CBT Rewards students for community service

There are 66 CBT Community Service Awards available, each worth $2,000

College of the Rockies nursing student, Melissa Monsen.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is accepting applications for two of its community service award programs. Valued at $2,000 and based on volunteer service rather than academic standing, there are up to 66 awards to be given out.

College Community Service Awards (CCSA) are intended to benefit Basin college students who plan to further their education. Youth Community Service Awards (YCSA) are given to graduating high school students.

Deadlines are March 15 and April 13, and more details can be found online.

One of last year's CCSA recipients spoke of the benefit to her family. 

"I am very grateful to receive this award from Columbia Basin Trust. I am a single mother of two, and a full-time nursing student. The award is a great help to my family, and is very much appreciated," said Melissa Monsen, nursing student at the College of the Rockies.

"CBT is happy to reward and encourage volunteerism in the region while also providing financial assistance to students," said Wayne Lundeberg, CBT director, Youth Initiatives. "Communities are strengthened as a whole and residents benefit individually."

Twenty-one awards are offered to Basin residents attending Selkirk College, College of the Rockies and the Revelstoke Centre of the Okanagan College for their use at a college or university of their choice.

Forty-five awards are offered to high school grads from a Basin high school, alternate school or other institution that grants Ministry of Education-recognized grad diplomas.

CCSA applications are available at each college and online. Application deadlines are specific to each college.

YCSA applications are available at local high schools and online. Applications must be submitted by April 13, 2012, to
the public senior secondary high school where the applicant resides.

For more information on the award or application process, contact Michelle d'Entremont by e-mail or call 1-800-505-8998.