The Northern New York Community Foundation is increasing by $20,000 the amount it will award in scholarships this year to students in St. Lawrence County

“In light of our expansion into St. Lawrence County, we felt it was extremely important to increase awards available to seniors attending St. Lawrence County high schools,” said April Fallon, foundation partnerships coordinator.

“We awarded 15 one-year scholarships to seniors last year, as well as seven merit awards, and would like to see the one-year scholarships increase to approximately 25 this year.”

Students in the Canton, Colton-Pierrepont, Edwards-Knox, Gouverneur, Hammond, Harrisville, Hermon-DeKalb, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Madrid-Waddington, Massena, Morristown, Norwood-Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Parishville-Hopkinton, Potsdam and Brasher Falls Central school districts are eligible to apply.

County students will be awarded up to $2,000 for one year based upon unmet financial need as determined by the student’s college. Students selected for a scholarship who have no unmet financial need will receive a one-time merit award of $500.

Applications can be downloaded and printed from the foundation’s website, www.nnycf.org, and are also available at high school guidance offices and from the foundation office. Completed applications must be returned or postmarked by April 1.

For the 2012-13 academic year, the foundation awarded $740,662 to 352 students. Since 1980 the foundation has awarded more than $11 million in scholarships.

The Northern New York Community Foundation, Inc. manages and administers a permanent endowment and funds for the benefit of the community. Guided by a board of community leaders, the foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.