FROM STAFF REPORTS

The tuition bill for a local college student will be a little lower in August thanks to a scholarship awarded through the Alfa Foundation.

Scholarship recipient Jacob Odom of Birmingham is a Briarwood Christian High School graduate and a freshman at the University of Alabama studying civil engineering. He is one of 100 students working toward degrees at Alabama technical schools, colleges and universities who will receive $1,000 from the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program for the 2018-2019 school year.

This year’s recipients hail from 38 Alabama counties and attend 24 different institutions of higher learning.

“The cost of higher education seems to increase every year, which can make it tough for students to achieve the goal of earning a degree,” said Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “I’m glad we can award 100 scholarships to these hard-working students to help them pursue their dreams.”

Since its inception in 2014, the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded $450,000 to students from 61 of Alabama’s 67 counties who studied at 34 different institutions.

The program is administered through Scholarship America, which bases its selection on academics, participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience and future goals. Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies.

To view photos of the recipients, visit AlfaInsurance.com or go to Facebook.com/AlfaInsurance.