Pioneer Communications provides annual scholarships in memoriam of former General Manager Joseph B. Chilen and former Board President Earl B. Williams. Individual scholarships of up to $2,000 will be awarded to students from each school in our service area.

Open to: 2024 graduating high school seniors

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024


Please note- IMPORTANT: Student’s parent or guardian must be a Pioneer Communications telephone, StreamTV or internet customer. Children of Pioneer Communications’ employees are not eligible for this scholarship.

If you have any other questions or need more information please contact:
Sheri King / Pioneer Communications
Tel: 620-356-7104
E-mail: sheri.king@pioncomm.net

Memorial Scholarship Application

Joseph B. Chilen & Earl B. Williams Memorial Scholarship Application

Applicant Name(Required)
Applicant Address(Required)

Name & address of secondary education institution you plan to attend:

Address of Institution(Required)
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB.

Open to a high school student that is 15,16 or 17 years of age at the time of the tour, June 3-7, 2024. If applicant turns 18 during the tour dates, they are ineligible for the Youth Tour. Student must live in a household receiving any of the following Pioneer Communications services: Telephone, StreamTV, or Internet.

Online Application Deadline: March 1, 2024.

Click here for a short video about the 2024 FRS Youth Tour.

Click here for flyer about the 2024 FRS Youth Tour.

Focus of the Youth Tour:

Offers rural students an inside look at the telecommunications industry.
Educates students about the legislative and governmental process.
Gives students the opportunity to experience the nation’s capital.
Allows students to meet other youth from rural communities across the country and to form friendships that last a lifetime.

For more information please contact:

Sheri King / Pioneer Communications
Tel: 620-356-7104
E-mail: sheri.king@pioncomm.net

Note: Local high schools in the Pioneer Communications service areas also have information available for the above scholarship programs. Feel free talk to your high school counselor for more information.

FRS Youth Tour to Washington DC

IMPORTANT: Read instructions carefully. All information on this application will be treated confidentially. Personal Data and Eligibility Requirements must be filled out by applicant only. Deadline for application is March 1, 2024.

STUDENT APPLICATION

Student Name:(Required)
Student Address(Required)

PIONEER TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE MEMBER PARENT OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION

Parent or Guardian's Name:(Required)
Parent or Guardian's Address:(Required)

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE NOTIFY

Name:(Required)
Address:(Required)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

High School Address:(Required)
Current Age:(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
PLEASE NOTE: Applicant must be 15-17 years of age at the time of the tour, June 3-7, 2024. If applicant turns 18 during the tour dates, they are ineligible for the Youth Tour.

PIONEER TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Pioneer will pay registration fee. – This covers; lodging, three (3) meals a day, transportation to all activities, admission to events, special entertainment, airport greeting/transportation, gratuities, a youth tour t-shirt and a student yearbook. Pioneer will coordinate travel arrangements, incur the cost for airfare, plus include $150.00 of spending money. Please note: No chaperone will be provided. Youth Tour participant will be required to furnish their own transportation to and from the Garden City airport on departure and returning date.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Drop files here or
Max. file size: 256 MB.
    Applicants are required to include two (2) letters of recommendation from school staff or community members supporting their performance and achievements in school and community projects.
    Max. file size: 256 MB.
    Applicants are required to write a 500 word essay on the following topic. Explain how technology plays a role in your everyday life. Include details about how access to technology has affected your choices in furthering your education or led you to a specific career path.
    Max. file size: 256 MB.
    Each Applicant shall submit an Applicant Resume. It shall be a list showing the applicant’s participation in high school and community activities, including years of participation (i.e., band-2 years; FFA-4 years, etc). Category examples may include: Awards/Honors; Offices/Leadership Roles; Clubs/Organizations; Athletics; Other School Activities; Community/Church/Civic Involvement/Volunteerism; Work Experience.

    Pioneer Communications is excited to help you become part of our team! We are offering an Education Sponsorship Program at NCK Tech in Hays, Kansas for those interested in a career in the telecommunications industry. The best part is that we will cover your tuition, books, and housing for FREE!

    How to begin?
    Click on the link below for details about NCK Tech Telecommunications program and complete the sponsorship application. Pioneer Communications will review your application, interview select candidates, and choose one or more to be part of the program each year. Selected students must sign an agreement stating their intention to complete the 2-year NCK Tech program and earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Telecommunications. Candidates must also agree to summer internships with Pioneer Communications, as well as a minimum of a 3-year employment commitment following graduation.  
    As an employee of Pioneer Communications, you will work alongside amazing professionals, receive great mentoring from our lead technicians, learn hands-on skills, and apply your knowledge immediately, and help positively impact customers experiences.

    Bonus: Pioneer Communications will also provide a housing allowance to the right candidate who agrees to a 4-year employment commitment!

    What an AMAZING opportunity!

    Education Sponsorship Program Application
    Applications must be received by March 15, 2024.

    NCK Tech Application

    NCK Tech Education Sponsorship Program Application

    Name(Required)
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
    Mailing Address (PO Box or Street Anddress)(Required)
    NCK Tech Application Status(Required)
    NCK Tech Program Year & Semester(Required)
    Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB.

    Sponsors: Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) and Pioneer Communications

    Application Submission:
    The FRS Scholarship application must be completed online – APPLY HERE.

    Application Deadline: February 16, 2024

    FRS annually awards scholarships to rural students for their first year of 2-year or 4-year college, or vocational school. All applicants require sponsorship by Pioneer Communications to be eligible. FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception, empowering rural students to advance their communities with invaluable skill sets and experiences.

    The value of the scholarships ranges from $500-$7,000, based on a variety of criteria. One application qualifies a student for all available FRS scholarships.

    For more information please contact:

    Sheri King / Pioneer Communications
    Tel: 620-356-7104
    E-mail: sheri.king@pioncomm.net

    Hidden Crowdfiber form