Esso grants to be up for grabs

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Native students can cash in on new post-secondary education grants being offered by Esso Resources Limited.

Esso announced recently that grants up to $4,500 per year will be available in the next school year to students in either college or university through Esso's Native Education Awards Program.

The initiative will assist Native students trying to get post-secondary educations. It's Esso's way of "putting something back into the community," according to Esso public affairs advisor Miles Shaw, who adds the Native Education Awards Program was established to get more Native people participating in the natural resources industry.

Students studying in post-secondary programs related to the gas and oil industry can soon apply for the grants as application forms will be available at outlets such as Native Outreach, Metis locals and post-secondary education institutions in March. Inuit, Metis and Native students are eligible for the grants and financial need and past academic performance will be taken into consideration.

Miles explains Esso has not decided how many grants will be awarded because it's the first time students have been offered the opportunity and company officials want to see "what kind of response it will get." But, he says the grant will continue to be offered in an ongoing effort to enhance Native education.

Applications should be made no later than mid-June. For more information, contact Native Affairs coordinator Greg Barraclough at Esso Resources in Calgary (237-3443).