By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is participating in a state program that is offering scholarships, up to $500, to graduating high school students residing in the parish.

The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program is providing assistance to Louisiana students from money made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program.

Since Sheriff Wayne L. Jones is a member of the program, students living in this parish may apply for the available resources.

Completed applications must be submitted to Jones by April 1 and winners will be announced by May 1.

An applicant must be eligible for admission to the school indicated on the application and awards will only be paid to students attending a Louisiana institution of higher learning.

According to the sheriff’s office, there are no restrictions on the purposes for which scholarship funds are spent.

The scholarships are not loans. The money is being awarded as gifts to defray the rising costs of tuition and other related expenses involved in higher education. The only stipulation is that applicants be permanent residents of St. John the Baptist Parish and that the scholarship be utilized in higher education within the state of Louisiana.

Students must be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate students.

According to Program Chairman, Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert, “This scholarship program is a meaningful expression of the program’s respect for education. It demonstrates our confidence in Louisiana’s youth…our future leaders.”

Hebert added, “Louisiana Sheriffs are pleased with the program’s ability to bring scholarships to Louisiana students bound for higher education. To continue to do so, and fund other important projects and initiatives, continued support of the Honorary Membership program is essential. We could not function without our honorary members.”

For further information regarding the scholarship program, contact the sheriff’s office at (985) 652-9513 or submit an application on-line at http://www.stjohnsheriff.org/scholarship.html for St. John residents.