Bloomingdale chamber working to expand scholarships for students in trade schools

As the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce prepares to offer annual scholarships, it is working to expand options this year beyond the traditional college route.

The chamber has decided to set aside money for a Trade School Scholarship for students enrolling in a trade school or certification program such as cosmetology school, HVAC certification or auto mechanics training.

Applicants must be either a member or child of a member of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce or a current resident of Bloomingdale. Multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 are available to students graduating high school or currently enrolled in post-secondary school who are planning to continue their education.

Chamber President and CEO Cindy Allston said the organization always has welcomed students going into the trades to apply for a scholarship but rarely received applications.

"By setting funds aside and renaming the scholarship, we hope to attract students who are not heading to a four-year college but are looking for help to support their education in one of the many trades," Allston said.

College applicants must be planning to continue their education on a full-time basis at an accredited post-secondary college, university or two-year college in the United States to be eligible. They must be a high school graduating senior or a college freshman, sophomore or junior with a 3.0 GPA to be eligible.

The scholarships must be used within the first semester of being awarded. The deadline to apply is March 22.