Oaklawn Foundation opens 2021-22 scholarship period

HOT SPRINGS — The Oaklawn Foundation’s scholarship program opened its online application process for 2021-22 scholarships Saturday.

The scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each, 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, including graduate or postgraduate level studies, a news release said.

Individuals must submit the online form and all application materials by Feb. 28 to be considered a candidate for the award, it said. The application process can only be completed online.

The foundation has awarded over $3 million to Garland County students since 2007. It uses money generated from

Oaklawn’s gaming center to fund its programs and scholarships. The Oaklawn Foundation also provides a School Wellness Fund of $100,000 that is distributed to the county’s seven public schools, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts and National Park College.

The application is available at http://www.arcf.org/oaklawnscholarship.

Applicants will need to provide information about financial need, educational history and community/extracurricular involvement; upload a personal essay describing their educational plan, goals and personal story; two letters of recommendation, both dated after June 1, 2020; a copy of their transcript or GED certificate; and proof of residency in Garland County, such as a copy of a valid driver’s license or voter registration card.