Washington D.C. — Two students from every high school in the country are eligible to receive $1,000 Presidential Freedom Scholarships in recognition of their outstanding service to the community, the Corporation for National and Community Service announced today.

The annual college scholarship program, which will award up to 8,000 scholarships, is administered by the Corporation's Learn and Serve America program.

"In every high school there are at least two young leaders who have served their communities with distinction. Their principals and teachers know who they are. The Presidential Freedom Scholarships give every high school in America the chance to recognize these students for their outstanding service," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "We're proud to offer these scholarships, which are helping to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America."

Nominations are open to high school juniors or seniors during the 2003-2004 academic year. The scholarship program provides $500 of the award, which must be matched with $500 from a community organization, civic group, or business and secured for the student by their high school. Students who complete at least 100 hours of community service, either through a school-based service-learning program or independently through service at a nonprofit or faith-based organization, are eligible to receive the scholarship. The deadline for applications is July 16. Information and applications are available at www.nationalservice.org/scholarships.

Learn and Serve America provides an "on ramp" to a lifetime of civic engagement for approximately 1.8 million students each year. The program provides grants to schools, colleges, and nonprofit groups to support projects that efforts to engage students in community service activities linked to academic achievement. This type of learning, called service-learning, improves communities while developing the habits of service in young people. In addition to providing grants and administering the Presidential Freedom Scholarships, Learn and Serve America also serves as a national resource on service-learning to nonprofit groups, educational institutions, teachers, faculty members, schools, and community groups.

Learn and Serve America is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and AmeriCorps. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. For further information, visit www.nationalservice.org.

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