The Oaklawn Foundation will offer two workshops for interested students preparing their applications for the 2018-19 scholarships.
The workshops, set for Saturday at the Garland County Library and Feb. 3 at the Webb Community Center, offer an opportunity for applicants to receive assistance in preparing their applications.
The scholarships, administered by Hot Springs Area Community Foundation, are available each spring for residents of Garland County pursuing higher education. This is the first year that the submission process will take place entirely online.
"The primary reason for the workshops is because we are transitioning to our online applications," said Joyce Whitfield, executive director for the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation.
Each workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m.
"There won't be a formal presentation," Whitfield said. "These will be very hands-on for people to ask questions, and we will have laptops and scanners on hand if they want to complete their application while they are there.
"There will also be representatives from the Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship Committee there if anyone has questions about their essays or the scholarships."
The scholarships are available to any eligible Garland County resident who is enrolled, or who will be enrolled, at an accredited community college, technical school or four-year public or private college or university. This includes graduate or postgraduate level studies.
According to Whitfield, the foundation has already received around 160 applications online.
"We anticipate around 600 applications this year," she said. "Last year we received 460 paper applications."
In 2017, 118 scholarships were awarded. The foundation has donated more than $2 million since 2007, and uses money generated from Oaklawn's gaming center to fund programs and scholarships.
"We are proud of the Oaklawn Foundation," Whitfield said.
To apply, visit the Arkansas Community Foundation's online application portal at http://www.arcf.org/oaklawnscholarship.
Local on 01/25/2018