Franklin Park residents can apply for community scholarships

High school seniors who live in Franklin Park can apply for one of up to 10 scholarships, each worth $1,500.

Applications for the Franklin Park Community Scholarship program are being accepted through March 15. They are available at www.franklinparkborough.us.

The program is open to students of North Allegheny and other high schools, but they must reside in Franklin Park. The borough typically awards10 scholarships worth $1,500 to high school seniors annually.

Up to two Melvin D. Lubert scholarships are awarded to students pursuing postsecondary education at a trade or technical school. Lubert was a borough employee who died in 2005 at age 53, according to an online obituary. He also lived in Franklin Park.

“Mr. Lubert was a beloved and respected public works employee who passed away while on the job a number of years ago. The Melvin D. Lubert scholarship specifically supports high school graduates who go on to a trade or technical school,” said borough manager Rege Ebner.

Up to two scholarships may be awarded to qualified junior firefighters in the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company.

The borough hopes this encourages volunteering at the department, according to Ebner. The Franklin VPC has two junior firefighters. Two were just elevated to regular firefighters upon turning 18, according to Chief Bill Chicots.

The minimum age for a junior firefighter is 16, Chicots said.

Additional scholarships from the borough will be awarded based on other criteria including community service, academics, essays and recommendation letters. The overall appearance of the application will also be considered, according to the application requirements.

The scholarship awards must be used within one year of receipt at a trade or technical school, or two- or four-year accredited college or university, the application states.

North Allegheny students should return a completed application by deadline to their school’s guidance office. Franklin Park students who attend other high schools can return it to the borough office at 2344 W. Ingomar Road.

The scholarships are funded by the borough-sponsored annual Franklin Park Community Scholarship Golf Outing, said Ebner. This year’s event will be held on July 29 at Shannopin Country Club in Ben Avon Heights.