La Plata Electric Association Scholarships

LPEA offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors or equivalent, including GED graduates within our service territory, to encourage careers with rural electric cooperatives. These scholarships aim to help students who wish to continue their academic education or want to become a lineworker. Scholarships are funded with Unclaimed Capital Credits as per LPEA Policy 203. 

Scholarship Eligibility:

• You must be a high school graduate from any high school or a home school program or have attained your GED within LPEA's service territory, including Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and Ignacio.
• Enroll as a first-year student at any accredited college or university in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year.
• While enrolled, you must maintain a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent grade point average the first year, 3.0 the second year and beyond, and successfully complete a minimum of 15 academic credits each term.
• After you have attained a maximum of 150 credit hours, you are no longer eligible for the scholarship.

Ready to apply? Here Are the Documents You'll Need for the Application Below:

1. 500-word Essay: This should detail your college aspirations and explain how they could align with a future career at a rural electric cooperative association. The essay needs to be interesting, clearly linking your academic and career goals to the mission or work of rural electric cooperatives.
2. High School Transcript or Equivalent: This is to provide evidence of your academic success. It could be your official high school grades from your school counselor or another form of academic record if you're not in a traditional high school system.
3. List of Honors/Extracurricular Activities: Write down any special awards you've received or things you do outside of class, like work, clubs, or sports. This shows us you do well in more than just school.
4. Two Letters About You: These reference letters should come from individuals who can speak to your character, dedication, and passion. They could be teachers, mentors, community leaders, or anyone else who knows you well in a personal, professional, or academic capacity.
5. Share Any Challenges (Optional): If you want, you can write about any tough situations you've had, especially if they affected your schoolwork or personal life. This helps us understand any gaps or changes you may have had with your grades, honors, or extracurricular activities and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your perseverance.