Northwestel is once again giving post-secondary students across the North the chance to win one of its Northern Futures Scholarships. As in past years, each successful recipient will receive a scholarship of $2500.00 to assist with post-secondary studies during the 2009-10 academic year.

The deadline for applying to the eighth annual Northern Futures Scholarships Program is July 15th, 2009.

Since the program was established in 2002, 77 scholarships have been awarded, representing a total of $192,500.00 in contributions to outstanding northern students.

Each year, scholarships are awarded to approximately ten students engaged in full-time post-secondary studies in telecommunications, computer science, electrical engineering or business/commerce. Four of the scholarships are available exclusively to Aboriginal students. In addition, Northwestel makes efforts to provide employment for the scholarship recipients during their summer breaks and after graduation.

“Pursuing post-secondary studies requires a significant financial investment for any student,” said Northwestel President Paul Flaherty. “Northwestel is committed to doing what we can so support northern students as they work to achieve their goals, complete their education and find rewarding jobs. Our scholarship program is one of the many ways in which Northwestel works together with northern people and communities to build a stronger and more prosperous North.”

Applicants are required to submit a completed application form, official transcripts, letters of support and an essay which addresses the topic of the current global economic downtown. Students are invited to discuss the importance of telecommunications and broadband services in the economic recovery of the North in the coming years.

More information, eligibility criteria and application forms are available in the Employment section of Northwestel’s website at www.nwtel.ca. Inquiries can also be directed to scholarships@nwtel.ca.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.