The Columbus Region is known for its access to high-quality education which creates a dynamic workforce from which central Ohio businesses can recruit talent. For over 25 years, SWACO has offered environmental educational programs introducing students from kindergarten through college to landfill engineering and design, and the importance of resource conservation. Now, SWACO is enhancing those efforts with the creation of a new scholarship program for graduating high school students interested in pursuing careers in environmental sciences, sustainability and the waste management industry.
鈥淪WACO鈥檚 vision is to ensure a sustainable future for our region,鈥� said Executive Director Joe Lombardi. 鈥淚f our community is going to solve some of the most pressing waste management issues before us and reach our sustainability goals, we need the ideas and talents of our young people. SWACO鈥檚 Scholarship Program aims to invest and ease the way for those who want to work on these issues.鈥�
The SWACO Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to graduating students with a minimum of 20 credit units or graduating GED students from a public school in Franklin County who are pursuing a higher education degree in science, environmental studies, engineering or other majors applicable to the solid waste management field.
SWACO鈥檚 Scholarship Program will award one eligible student $2,500 every academic year (not to exceed $10,000 over four years) to an accredited community college, four-year college or university of their choice. SWACO plans to offer this opportunity to an eligible student annually. 聽SWACO is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year between May 1 鈥� June 1, 2025, and the award recipient will be notified by July 1, 2025.