State Sen. John Yudichak is urging students who wish to enter fields vital to the water and wastewater industry to apply for the Pennsylvania American Water Scholarship Program. Applications are being accepted now.

"This scholarship program is a great way to boost the studies of bright young minds focused on a career specific to the water and wastewater industry," Yudichak said. "I urge students interested in this critical industry to apply for this valuable scholarship today."Pennsylvania American Water has opened its 2010-2011 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program, which provides college scholarship assistance to students living in Pennsylvania American Water's service areas.The program is designed to support outstanding students who are planning studies in specific fields that are crucial to the water and wastewater industry - from engineering to environmental science."Maintaining safe water is vital to public health and the health of the environment," Yudichak said. "I applaud Pennsylvania American Water for their desire to assist students who focus on this important effort when choosing their career paths."The company will award ten $2,000 scholarships to students throughout Pennsylvania. Applicants must meet the following criteria and will be selected through an application process:Students must currently live in one of Pennsylvania American Water's service areas. (Students may attend college outside of the company's service territory.)Students must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or technical school.Students must plan to study environmental science, environmental engineering, biology or chemistry.The company recently mailed scholarship brochures and applications to high school guidance counselors throughout its service territory. Applications can also be downloaded from the company's Web site at

www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/KDEVAN/Local%20Settings/Temp/XPgrpwise/4D248890SDCSSDCHOST100132756E12985A14D248890SDCSSDCHOST200200004F1555071/www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and must be postmarked by February 11, 2011.Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive their awards in May. Family members of Pennsylvania American Water employees are not eligible.