San Patricio Electric Education Trust

Overview

The San Patricio Electric Education Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting higher education among local students. Established in 1999, it operates under the aegis of the San Patricio Electric Cooperative (SPEC) to further the cooperative's community commitment.

Mission and Activities

The trust's primary mission is to assist students with the financial burdens of higher education. It achieves this by awarding scholarships to eligible students within SPEC's service area. The organization emphasizes academic merit and character as key criteria for scholarship recipients.

Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Applicants must be high school seniors residing in one of the nine counties served by SPEC, and their parent or legal guardian must be an active member of SPEC.
• Selection Criteria: In addition to academic achievement, applicants are required to demonstrate good character through letters of recommendation and provide official transcripts.
• Scholarship Details: The organization awards several scholarships annually, each valued at $10,000, distributed evenly across the first four semesters of college. Recipients must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and enroll as full-time students to continue receiving funds.

Funding

The scholarship program is funded primarily through donations from SPEC members, particularly those who contribute their capital credits to the trust. Additionally, unclaimed capital credits that are returned to the trust from the state also support the program.

Impact

Since its inception, the San Patricio Electric Education Trust has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships, reflecting its commitment to local educational support. The trust has awarded a total of 366 scholarships over 25 years of operation, demonstrating its long-standing dedication to the educational goals of students in its service area.