The rules of Shoals Scholar Dollars are simple: Students who maintain a C average in high school, have a good attendance record, have no behavioral incidents and are U.S. citizens earn two-year scholarships to Northwest-Shoals Community College.

Since its inception, Shoals Scholar Dollars has raised more than $1 million – but the program’s tremendous success in serving local students has come with a higher demand for fundraising.

Oct. 18, Sen. Larry Stutts presented Dr. Randy Pettus, Shoals Scholar Dollars director, with a grant of $5,000. These funds were obtained from the overall state education budget and from competitive education grants Stutts applied for and secured in Montgomery. Not every legislator who applies for these grants receives them.

In early March 2018, Pettus described the challenges facing the program, including the great expense in sustaining the three-year cycle of the 155-170 scholarships awarded each year.

“I am proud to work in Montgomery to get these funds allocated to the Shoals Scholar Dollars program,” Stutts said. “This program gives many students who would not otherwise receive government assistance for college the chance to pursue their dreams.”

On receiving the funds for Shoals Scholar Dollars, Dr. Pettus said, “It has been a pleasure to work with such a strong conservative leader. I hope to continue working with him to keep improving the Shoals area.”

To donate to Shoals Scholar Dollars, visit https://www.shoalsscholardollars.com/donate.