Marijuana taxes going toward scholarships for students in Pueblo County

The world's first scholarship program funded by marijuana taxes is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year.

Administrators will select 25 students, who will receive $1,000 each.

The catch? You have to live in Pueblo County and be attending an institution within the county - Pueblo Community College or Colorado State University-Pueblo. (There are a few other requirements, which are listed below.)

Voters passed an initiative in 2015 that created an excise tax on pot exported out of the county. Half of the proceeds go to the Pueblo County Scholarship Fund and the other half goes into a fund for capital community development projects.

"College debt has surpassed even credit card debt in America. Middle-class families find it hard to send their kids to college, a basic cornerstone of the American Dream. We're aiming to help alleviate that problem," Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace said.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior

Applicants must have an Expected Family Contribution of $13,085 or less (need that is 250 percent or less of Pell eligibility)

Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum of 12 credit hours

Scholarship recipients must perform 40 hours of community service to a non-profit agency

Scholarship applications will be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2016.

You can find the application online at www.phef.net.

Complete applications can be submitted via email to phef@phef.net, faxed to (719) 549-2546, or be mailed or delivered to the PHEF office located at 2200 Bonforte Blvd. ADM 329 Pueblo, CO 81001 (must be received by the deadline.)

Scholarship recipients will be notified in May 2016.

For information about the scholarship, you can call 719-549-2563 or 719-549-2564.

Source: Marijuana taxes going toward scholarships for students in Pueblo County