Application Guidelines

Scholarships awards available:
As a business in the Austin, Minnesota, Dunlap, Tennessee, Abilene, Texas, and Kirksville, Missouri, communities, Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) recognizes the value of higher education for community youth. Therefore, CRC has elected to award up to eight $1,500 postsecondary education scholarships to senior high school students attending schools, both public and private, in the following communities:

• Austin, Minnesota,
• Dunlap, Tennessee,
• Abilene, Texas, and
• Kirksville, Missouri.

The scholarships are reviewed, selected, and awarded (as applicable) by CRC representatives.

Who is eligible?

• All public and private high school seniors in Austin, Minnesota, Dunlap, Tennessee, Abilene, Texas, and Kirksville, Missouri, that will graduate in May/June 2025.
• High school senior sons and daughters of regular full- and part-time CRC employees will be given priority consideration.
• Preference will be given to applicants enrolled (or planning to) in either one of the following major emphasis:o Communications o Information Technology o Business Management
• Applicant must be enrolled, approved, or planning to attend a college, a university, or a trade school at full-time status (12 credits per quarter/semester or more).
• Applicant must demonstrate good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher as of the last recording period.
• Student must have completed the ACT test and/or SAT test.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability.
• The scholarship will cover tuition and educational fees only.

How do I apply?
Complete an application form and related materials. Send completed forms and materials to Cooperative Response Center, Inc., Attn: Julie Schramek, 2000 8th Street NW, Austin, MN 55912, by Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Please complete the following steps when applying for a CRC scholarship. Note that applications and other supporting documents become property of CRC.

1. Complete a CRC scholarship application, personal statement, and student activity summary.
2. Submit a copy of acceptance letter or verification from the college/university or trade school you plan to attend. Note that recipients of the Austin Assurance Scholarship attending Riverland Community College in Austin, Albert Lea, and/or Owatonna, Minnesota, are not eligible for this scholarship.
3. Submit official verification from current school of most current GPA level.
4. Submit official verification of completing ACT and/or SAT test with scores.
5. Applications will be reviewed by CRC’s scholarship committee. CRC may choose to also meet with final candidates as part of the review process.
6. To be awarded a CRC scholarship, a participant must complete all phases and/or submit all information required in the application process.

When will awards be announced?
CRC’s 2025 scholarship recipients will be announced in May 2025 at each recipient’s scholarship/awards ceremony, if applicable, or via email. A scholarship becomes confirmed and payable upon the recipient’s proof of enrollment in college. The scholarship will be paid to the college/university/trade school’s student accounting services office on the selected recipient’s behalf prior to the start of the Fall 2025 quarter/semester.

What about ACT/SAT test information?
All applicants for a CRC scholarship must take the standard American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) examinations. If your ACT/SAT score results are included as a part of your official grade transcript, a separate ACT/SAT report is not required.

Will the award cover all costs?
Maximum value of each full award is $1,500, payable in a lump sum payment. Scholarship funds may be applied to tuition and educational fees only.

How will the scholarship be awarded?

• Scholarship awards will be sent directly to the college/university/trade school on your behalf prior to the Fall 2025 tuition due date.
• Any funds forfeited will go back to CRC (or remain with CRC).

What college may I attend?

• Applicants may attend any associate or baccalaureate degree-granting college/university or trade school in the United States.
• There are no restrictions as to the course of study selected by a scholarship winner except that the program must lead to a degree.

Am I eligible to accept other scholarships?
Other scholarship opportunities may be available to you and you are free to pursue/accept any of these. However, any other financial awards you receive should be reported to CRC. Note that recipients of the Austin Assurance Scholarship attending Riverland Community College in Austin, Albert Lea, and/or Owatonna, Minnesota, are not eligible for this scholarship.