Scholarships and Youth Tour Information

FRS Scholarship Information

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) offers an annual college scholarship program to help further higher education among rural youth. FRS awards 30 one-time $2,500 scholarships to students from rural America for their first year of college, university or vocational-technical school. Each student is sponsored by an NTCA member company. FRS funds $2,000 of each scholarship, and WRCTC awards the remaining $500.The FRS College Scholarship Program seeks to encourage students to return to their rural communities upon completing their education.

Sponsoring a student for the annual FRS College Scholarship Program is a one-time investment that will last a lifetime. The program empowers rural youth by giving them opportunities for higher education. Our hope is that these students return to rural America to enhance and enrich their rural community with education and experience.

Applications must be postmarked to FRS by March 1st, 2013, and winners will be announced by May 1st of that year. Applications REQUIRE the signature of our General Manager Jerry Reisenauer before mailing. For more information and to apply, please click here.

ATTENTION: High School Seniors from Bison, Buffalo, Lemmon and Newell School Districts!

One senior from each school district will be awarded a $500 scholarship for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. For a scholarship application, please click on your school district below:

                                        Bison                                                       Buffalo
                                        Lemmon                                                  Newell

Deadline is March 29, 2013.

Please mail the completed application and extra documents to:
Scholarship Program
West River Cooperative Telephone Company
PO Box 39
Bison, SD 57620

If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Rachel at 605-244-5213 or 777.

High School Students ages 16 or 17: Win a Trip to Washington, D.C.

Each year, in collaboration with NTCA member companies, FRS brings rural students from across the United States to Washington, D.C. for a four-day tour of the some of the most historical sites in the nation.  While here, students also learn about the telecommunications industry, as well as the regulatory and legislative processes. Educational sessions on these topics are greatly enhanced by site visits to the U.S. Capitol and the Federal Communications Commission, in addition to meetings with industry leaders and members of Congress. The students also are given ample time to explore the Nation's Capital and its many attractions.  While here, the group visits such sites as the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials; The Korean, Vietnam and new World War II Memorials; Mount Vernon, home of George Washington; the Smithsonian Museums; and, much more.

All essays must be typed and include a cover sheet which states the title of the essay, the entrant's name and the school they attend. Essays must be postmarked by Friday, March, 29, 2013.

Please submit essays to: