For Immediate Release

Contact:
Carrie Blewitt, Qorvis Communications, 703-744-7816

The Horatio Alger Association Reminds Students to Apply Now for its Prestigious National & State Scholarships

Association Offering $20,000 Scholarships through October 30

(September 13, 2007 – Washington, DC) -- The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is reminding Montana high school seniors to apply for its 2008 National and State Scholarships.  High school seniors in the Class of 2008 are encouraged to apply now through October 30, 2007 for the opportunity to receive up to$20,000 in financial assistance to obtain a college degree.  Applications and qualifications can be found at http://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

Scholars seeking an education at The University of Montana, The University of Montana-Western, The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology, Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana, or Montana Tech of The University of Montana will be eligible.  All applicants will be considered for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship worth $20,000. Applicants who are planning to attend one of the schools listed above will be considered for the Horatio Alger State Scholarship worth $5,000 sponsored by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

The eligibility criteria to be considered for the scholarship programs are as follows:

• Enrollment full time as a high school senior, progressing toward graduation in the Spring/Summer 2008, with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation;
• A strong commitment to pursuing a bachelor’s degree at The University of Montana, The University of Montana-Western, The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology, Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana, or Montana Tech of The University of Montana;
• Critical financial need;
• Involvement in co-curricular and community activities;
• Demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity;
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• United States citizenship or permanent resident. Applicants must reside in the United States.

The Association has become one of the largest need-based scholarship programs in the country, annually awarding more than $12 million in college scholarships.  The scholarships are given to students who have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity and hardships in their lives while demonstrating strength of character, strong academics, commitment to pursue a college education and desire to contribute to society. 

About The Horatio Alger Association
This year, the Horatio Alger Association is celebrating 60 years. Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Among the Association’s 600 members are well-known Americans including the noted poet, author and professor Maya Angelou, television personality Oprah Winfrey, General Surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Meharry Medical College Dorothy L. Brown, professor and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute Benjamin S. Carson, President of Chapman University James L. Doti, President, and CEO of Vesalius Ventures Bernard Harris.

The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program and various state scholarship programs for high school seniors and the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship Program for U.S. veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. For more information about the scholarships, please visit www.horatioalger.org

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