PG&E Announces Launch Of 2015 Bright Minds™ Scholarship Program

As part of its ongoing dedication to education and powering California’s future, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced the launch of its fourth annual PG&E Bright Minds™ Scholarship program. PG&E will award scholarships to enable high school, community college and “non-traditional” students to complete their higher education paths. Bright Minds scholarship winners will receive scholarships of up to $20,000 per year for up to five years; program finalists will receive $2,000 towards their studies.

“PG&E has provided nearly $70 million towards educational initiatives over the last decade, and we are proud to help further the educational goals of local students in communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Ezra Garrett, Vice President of Community Relations. “By awarding scholarships to accomplished and deserving students, PG&E is creating opportunities for today’s students to reach their full potential tomorrow.”

Since 2012, the PG&E Bright Minds™ Scholarship program has awarded nearly $3 million to accomplished students based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement. All majors are eligible, with preference given to students majoring in engineering. Eligible students will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the duration of the 2015-2016 academic year.

"As a 2014 PG&E Bright Minds™ Scholarship recipient, I can stay focused on my studies and keep on track for academic success," said Tatiana Overturf from Templeton. "As I start the second semester of my freshman year at Fresno State, I am incredibly grateful to PG&E for providing me the resources to make my dreams a reality."

The deadline for applying for the PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship is February 9, 2015. For more information and to apply, visit www.pge.com/brightminds. Scholarship winners will be announced in the spring.

For video of last year’s winners and the surprise announcements, visit PG&E Currents at http://www.pgecurrents.com/2014/07/24/video-pge-honors-some-of-california%E2%80%99s-brightest-mindswith-college-scholarships/.

PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship Program Questions and Answers - 2015

1. Who may apply for scholarships?

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a minimum of 16 years of age and be a high school senior or graduate, have received GED certification or be a current postsecondary undergraduate student.
• Be a PG&E customer in California at the time of application. (Must submit current copy of current PG&E bill. Counties covered listed on website.)
• Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire 2015 – 2016 academic year pursing their first postsecondary degree.

2. What if I graduated from high school years ago and now want to go to college?

Nontraditional student who are returning to school or planning to pursue a postsecondary education for the first time are eligible and encouraged to apply.

3. Can I apply for a scholarship if I am going to graduate school?

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

4. Do I need a specific major to apply?

Recipients for the scholarship program will represent a wide variety of majors. Students with all majors are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to students majoring in Engineering, Information Services and technical fields. An even stronger preference will be specifically for Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering majors.

5. How do I apply?

The only mode of application will be a web-based e-application. Applications are available at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/pge starting on January 5, 2015. If selected as a finalist, students will have to provide additional documents, including a current PG&E bill.

6. What is the deadline for applications?

Applications may be submitted until 11:59pm, PST on February 6, 2015.

7. How many scholarships are awarded and how will the money be distributed for the 2015 – 2016 school year?

Approximately 100 awards will be given out. Scholarship Management Services processes scholarship payments on behalf of PG&E. Checks are sent to the student’s home address and made payable to the institution for the student. One check will be issued August 15 for $2,000 recipients. Renewable awards will be issued with 1/2 on August 15, 2015 and the other 1/2 on December 30, 2015.

8. Are these scholarships for only one year?

Ninety scholarships are awarded for $2,000 each and are for one year only. Students may reapply to the program each year that they meet eligibility requirements, not to exceed five years. Ten awards are awarded for up to $20,000 and are renewable for up to four additional years or until a certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance. Students receiving a certificate or associate’s degree who immediately go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree without interruption in study are eligible to continue to renew their scholarship up to four years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewable award recipients must attend school within the state of California.

9. What type of expenses can the award be used for?

The awards can be used only in the fall and spring terms for educational expenses including tuition and fees, room and meals and certain other allowable expenses.

1. Who will determine the scholarship recipients?

A committee of highly trained individuals from Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America, will select a pool of finalists for review by PG&E’s selection committee.

1. How are recipients selected?

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic information, leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and financial need. A statement of goals and unusual personal or family circumstances will also be considered in the final selection of recipients. Preference in selection will be given to students who are first in their family to attend a postsecondary institution and those with Engineering, Information Services and technical fields.

2. How are the award amounts determined for the renewable awards?

The award amount will be based on submission of a financial aid award letter and Student Aid Report (SAR). Scholarship Management Services will determine the award amount based on the comprehensive school cost minus other gift aid (scholarships and grants) that each recipient is receiving.

3. When will the scholarship recipients be notified?

Both recipients and non-recipients will be notified in May 2015.

4. What is Scholarship Management Services?

The PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Scholarship Management Services is the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals.

5. What are the scholarship recipient’s responsibilities?

The recipients have no obligations to PG&E. They are however required to notify Scholarship Management Services of any changes in address, school enrollment or other relevant information and to send complete transcripts and other supporting documents when requested.

6. Whom can I contact for additional information?

PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship Program

Scholarship Management Services

One Scholarship Way

Saint Peter, MN 56082

Telephone: (507) 931-1682

pge@scholarshipamerica.org