Citizens announces scholarships available to students in service area; Deadline Feb. 26, 2026
In addition to the FRS General Scholarship, the program includes numerous named scholarship opportunities that do not require a match from NTCA members. These scholarships have detailed criteria for eligibility, and range in value from $1,000 to $9,000.
Each year, the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship is awarded in regions across rural America. Citizens Telephone Cooperative is able to share these scholarships with students in its service area, and the application window is open through Feb. 26, 2026.
Two main scholarships are available: the 2026 FRS Scholarships and the James L. Bass Legal Scholarship. In 2026, FRS will award more than $100,000 in scholarships to students sponsored by National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) members.
The FRS General Scholarship is awarded for the first year of a two-year or four-year college or vocational school. This scholarship is $2,500 and requires a $500 match from the student's partnering NTCA member.
In addition to the FRS General Scholarship, the program includes numerous named scholarship opportunities that do not require a match from NTCA members. These scholarships have detailed criteria for eligibility, and range in value from $1,000 to $9,000.
The James L. Bass Legal Scholarship recognizes the impact of a man who helped secure funds for the establishment of rural telephone systems. With an active law career that spanned more than 70 years, James Bass helped was pivotal in the creation of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, where he served as one of the organization’s earliest presidents. Bass continued his leadership with service for more than 50 years as legal counsel, guiding NTCA through many challenges and opportunities.
Recognizing Bass’s impact on the industry and his passion for the legal profession, the NTCA Board established a scholarship for students entering their first year of law school and who have an interest in rural communities. The annual James L. Bass Legal Scholarship will be awarded in spring 2026 and will be at least $5,000.
Learn more about all available FRS scholarships online at www.citizens.coop/scholarship-opportunity-for-the-class-of-2026. One application qualifies a student for all available FRS scholarships.
For more information, students should visit their school’s Guidance Office, Citizens said.
Citizens is a member-owned Cooperative providing fiber optic Internet, telephone, and TV to Floyd County and surrounding communities for more than 110 years. Its office in Floyd is located at 220 Webbs Mill Rd. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays; and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.