U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) encouraged southern West Virginian students to apply for the Presidential Freedom Scholarship. "West Virginia is packed full of bright high school students and there isn't a family out there who couldn't use a scholarship for $1000," said Rahall.

Each High School or Boys and Girls Club is eligible to nominate two students to receive Presidential recognition and scholarships for their service activities. The Presidential Freedom Scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors who exemplify outstanding leadership in service to their community.

"This scholarship rewards some of our most selfless students who have completed community service in their area throughout the year," said Rahall. "This is just one of the great programs, along with AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, which are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service."

7,800 scholarships are available to be awarded this year across the nation. Qualified applicants must have completed at least 100 hours of community service, either through a school-based service-learning program or independently through service at a nonprofit or faith-based organization. Each scholarship will be awarded in the value of $500 which is then matched by a community-based organization, thus providing eligible students with a $1,000 college scholarship.

"I encourage the schools and students of southern West Virginia to apply for the Presidential Freedom Scholarship," said Rahall. "There are surely many qualified applicants in our area and I hope that some of you can take advantage of this scholarship."

Applications must be filed by July 1, 2005 and can be found on the Corporation for National and Community Service website at http://www.house.gov/htbin/leave_site?ln_url=http://www.cns.gov/scholarships/