Whether students are planning for college, preparing to enter the workforce or looking for a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience, Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) is helping local students take the next step.
Applications are now open for the Walter Harrison Scholarship, Lineman School Scholarship and Washington Youth Tour (WYT). Each program supports students in a different way, from providing financial assistance for education and career training to offering a leadership experience in the nation’s capital.
“Students have different goals after high school, and we want them to know there are opportunities available no matter which path they choose,” said Rolando Benitez, Community Relations Representative for Carroll EMC.
The Walter Harrison Scholarship, sponsored by Georgia EMC, is available to high school seniors and undergraduate students. Carroll EMC will select one student to advance to the statewide competition for a $1,000 scholarship, which can be used at a two- or four-year college, university or technical school in Georgia. Applications are due Jan. 29, 2027.
“Every bit of financial support can make a difference when students are trying to figure out how to pay for their education,” said Benitez.
For those interested in a hands-on career in the electric utility industry, Carroll EMC’s Lineman School Scholarship provides $5,000 toward electrical lineworker training. The scholarship helps cover the cost of equipment, tuition, textbooks and other related fees. Recipients are also paired with a lineman mentor as they prepare to enter the trade. Applications are due March 5.
Students looking to take their learning beyond the classroom should consider applying for the WYT. Three local high school students will be selected for an all-expenses-paid, weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., where they will explore historic sites, learn more about government and develop their leadership skills alongside hundreds of students from across Georgia. Applications are due Feb. 5, and the 2027 tour will take place June 17-24.
“The WYT gives students an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people and experience firsthand the people and places they see circulating on the internet,” said Ryan Sammon, Community Relations Specialist for Carroll EMC. “They come home with new friendships and an excitement about the impact they can make in their own communities.”
Applications and additional information for the Walter Harrison and Lineman School scholarships are available at carrollemc.com/scholarships. To learn more about the WYT or apply, visit carrollemc.com/wyt.
Students attending the University of West Georgia (UWG) have an additional opportunity through the Lerlie & Millard Copeland Scholarship. Students can apply by completing UWG’s general scholarship application.
Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 56,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information, visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.v
