The Irwin EMC Foundation Touchstone Energy Scholarship is awarded to 10 deserving students each year in March. 

Applications for the 2025 scholarship are due by 5 p.m. on February 10, 2025.

The recipient must reside in the household (primary residence) for at least the past 12 months of a member of Irwin EMC. 

Preference will be given to members who participate in Operation Round Up.  If you are not sure if your account participates in Operation Round Up, please call to confirm.

The recipient must be enrolled upon awarding of scholarship in an accredited college or technical school program, either full-time or part-time.

The grant is for undergraduate work only. No applications for master’s or doctorate degrees will be accepted.

The competition is open to high school students, as well as college and technical school students.

The scholarship fund will be in the form of a grant program with funds being paid to the college, university or vocational school, on behalf of the grant recipient.

A person may submit an application each year, but previous winners are not eligible to win again.

The scholarship fund will be $1,000 to each scholarship winner.

Scholarship use must commence within one year of date of issuance and be totally utilized within two years of the date of issuance. The scholarship check will be written directly to the scholarship recipient’s school.

Scholarship criteria are as follows: Commitment to Community, Accountability, Integrity, and Innovation.

A committee of judges will review the applications. A recommendation will be forwarded to the Irwin EMC Foundation, which shall make the final decision for the Irwin EMC Foundation Touchstone Energy Scholarship. All decisions are final.

The Irwin EMC Foundation administers the Irwin EMC Foundation Touchstone Energy Scholarship.

Winners for the Irwin EMC Foundation Touchstone Energy Scholarship will be notified at the end of March.

Any questions should be directed to Hope Paulk, Irwin EMC, at 229-468-7415, ext. 2311, or email hope.paulk@irwinemc.com.  We can email a PDF version of the application if that is more helpful to you.

2024 Scholarship Application
Complete the contact information below when you are ready to submit the letter of recommendation and the responses to the scholarship questions.  
Upload Letter of Recommendation or have the letter sent directly from the sender to hope.paulk@irwinemc.com.
Upload requirements
Upload requirements
Provide your responses to the following questions.  Number your answers according the question.  Do NOT reveal your name or place of residence in the answers as any such references will be blocked before sent for review.

1.  Describe your commitment to your community.  Include any school, church, or civic activities in which you gave of your time or talents to better your school and community.  You may also include any work experience you have gained.
 
2. Explain how you will be accountable with these funds.  Include in your explanation how these funds for furthering your education will help you fulfill your goals and what financial limitations you will face without these funds.  In your explanation, please state your specific goals.

3. If you are a recipient of this scholarship, you will be an unofficial representative of Irwin EMC and the Irwin EMC Foundation.  What qualities do you have that would demonstrate that you are a person of integrity?

4. Innovation is the creation of something new, different, or unique.  Describe a circumstance in your life that has required an innovative response.  This can be an explanation of any obstacles you have overcome, extraordinary needs you have faced, and or any unique endeavors you have undertaken and the response you had to the situation.
By signing, I certify that all information reported on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.  I understand that scholarship funds will be sent directly to the school upon my acceptance and registration for classes.  I give permissions for the Irwin EMC Foundation to discuss this application with a representative at my school.  If I am awarded the scholarship, I grant Irwin EMC permission to use my name and photograph in its publicity of this scholarship without consideration of compensation to me.