Up to $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded
Purpose: To familiarize youth with the electric cooperative culture and principles and foster career opportunities available in the rural electric industry
Applicant Qualifications:
- Applicants must have a solid academic record and be enrolled in a technical or four-year school of student’s choice when the application is made
- Applicants must have a temporary employment relationship with an electric cooperative related to the academic field of study at the college, technical or high school in which they are currently enrolled
- Applicants who reside in the household of trustees, distribution cooperative employees and OEC affiliated employees ARE eligible to participate in the competition
- Interns at OEC facilities; 6677 Busch, Cardinal, Greenville and Mone may apply
- Job duties or assignments should support/enhance skills for such a field of study
- Prior winners are not eligible
Applicant Requirements:
- Complete the online application (below)
- Two essays with a word limit of 250 words per prompt
- Prompt one: Overview of work completed during internship & knowledge or skills acquired
- Prompt two: Interest in pursuing a career in the electric cooperative after internship
- Provide transcript
- Letter of recommendation from the CEO or direct supervisor detailing the applicant’s job duties, character, performance and accomplishments
Additional Guidance:
- All materials are due by Friday, July 17, 2026
- All materials must be submitted via the online form via the OEC website
- The only attachments permitted are the transcript and letter of recommendation
- Judging is based on a synopsis of work-related projects at the cooperative, GPA and letter of recommendation from the CEO or supervisor
- Accepted applications will receive a confirmation email from oecyouth@ohioec.org
- Scholarship recipients will receive notification of selection by August 10, 2026
For questions, please contact oecyouth@ohioec.org
