WILLISTON, N.D. - The Alva J. Field Trust delivered their first check to the Williston State College Foundation, August 4 to inaugurate the Williams County Scholarship at WSC. 

Fall 2015 semester marks the first time Williams County high school graduates will receive free tuition, books, and fees through the partnership between the Alva J. Field Trust, the Williston State College Foundation, and the North Dakota Challenge Fund.

"I am proud to be part of something that can give back to our community," Dan Baker, Alva J. Field Trustee, explained. "This opportunity allows local students to get free education as a result of the economic success of the oil industry in this area."

Upon the completion of the Williams County Scholarship Deadline, May 1, WSC had 535 eligible applications. 400 were new students and 135 were currently enrolled students. Of the 535, 256 students are fully enrolled and awarded the Williams County Scholarship for the Fall 2015 semester.

"Our Enrollment Services team is eagerly reaching out to the remaining students to get them registered before classes begin filling up," Heather Fink, Director for Student Financial Aid, said. "We want everyone to have the ability to take advantage of this great opportunity."

The Alva J. Field Trust will continue to give the WSC foundation a one hundred thousand dollar donation every semester for the next five years, for a total of one million dollars. The North Dakota State Higher Education Challenge Fund has agreed to match the one million dollars. The remaining balance for the Williams County Scholarship fund will be paid by scholarship dollars from the WSC Foundation and from donors who have agreed to support Williams County graduates.

"This is a very exciting venture and a real benefit to our local students," Terry Olson, Executive Director WSC Foundation, stated. "The program will continue as long as the oil income from the foundation and the Alva J. Field Trust can maintain it."

For more information please contact, Natalie Popko,
WSC Communications Specialist at 701.774.4222
or for additional information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.