Students in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle can submit applications for the first Poarch Creek Indian Community Scholarship.

Applications can be submitted through March 31, 2016.

The $1 million scholarship fund was created by PCI. The fund ensures that two scholarships will be awarded each year to one male and one female residing in Alabama or the Panhandle.

In its first year, selected students are expected to receive up to $6,000 each.

Each recipient must be a full-time student in Fall 2016 with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and must be a resident of the State of Alabama or one of the following counties in Florida: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington or Gadsden. The recipients must also exhibit community involvement.

“Being able to help change someone’s quality of life, and in turn raise the profile of a community, makes the education component incredibly important to the tribe,” Tribal Chair/CEO Stephanie Bryan said. “There’s a quote that I oftentimes refer to. ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ Of course that’s Nelson Mandela’s quote, but I often tell the youth here within the tribe that it’s about opportunity. Take advantage of every opportunity you can that will help with the quality of life with you and your families.”

Bryan said that it’s important that the tribe use its funds wisely to educate the younger generations.

“It’s important that we look out for the now but really what we as leaders are doing is for the next seven generations,” she said.

Luckily for children of Alabama and the panhandle of Florida, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians see beyond their tribe and are determined to make sure that students of all backgrounds are afforded similar opportunities.

To obtain an application, please visit www.communityfoundationsa.org/scholarships.