Charter has announced last that it is seeking applicants for its annual Charter Student Scholarship program.

Metro St. Louis-area high school students who will graduate at the end of the 2011-2012 school year are eligible for the award.

“We offer this scholarship because it’s a great opportunity for us to support those in our hometown of St. Louis, as well as the areas we serve in Missouri and Illinois,” said Jessica Myers, Charter’s senior manager of communications.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must:

• Be a graduating high school senior.
• Be a resident of Missouri or Illinois within Charter’s service area.
• Have a plan to pursue a college education in one of the following areas of focus: marketing, accounting, business administration, business management, communications, computer technology, engineering or a related field at an accredited college.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Submit an application form along with two letters of recommendation and a 250-word essay.

“We are looking forward to another successful year of the Charter Student Scholarship Program, especially at a time when the cost of higher education is becoming increasingly out of reach for many families,” Sean O’Donnell, Charter’s regional vice president and general manager, said in a press release. “We encourage all students who are eligible for this scholarship to apply before March 30, 2012. Charter is proud to be able to help more area students continue their path to success.”

Myers said that winners of the 2010-2011 scholarships came from the following high schools:

• Parkway South HS
• Jennings HS
• Marquette HS
• Warrenton HS
• McCluer HS
• Hazelwood Central HS
• Mascoutah HS
• Sikeston HS
• Sacred Heart HS
• School of the Osage

Last year’s winners attended a wide variety of colleges, Myers said, including:

• University of Missouri St. Louis
• Webster University
• Missouri Science and Tech
• University of Central Missouri
• Missouri State University
• University of Missouri Columbia.

“Every year, we receive hundreds of applications from students, and we want to recognize as many as we can for what they’ve achieved academically and their leadership in the community,” Myers said.

Students can pick up applications for the Charter Student Scholarship Program at their schools or by going to www.CharterTV.com. Applications must be turned in by March 30, 2012. Charter will award up to 10 $1,000 scholarships at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Myers said the scholarship program is part of Charter’s efforts to contribute to education. Students who are awarded the scholarship will be recognized in a public service announcement that will air on Charter cable over the summer.

To learn more or to apply, visit Charter’s website.