Aurora, Neb, ­– December 15, 2016 – Hamilton Telecommunications is excited to announce that it is once again participating in the 2017 Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) annual college scholarship program to help further higher education among rural youth. FRS awards a one-time $2,500 scholarship to students from rural America for their first year of college, university or vocational-technical school. Each student is sponsored by an NTCA member company. FRS funds $2,000 of each scholarship, and the sponsoring company awards the remaining $500. The FRS College Scholarship Program seeks to encourage students to return to their rural communities upon completing their education. Students may also be eligible for one of the following scholarships: four FRS Staurulakis Family Scholarships valued at $5,000 each, two TMS Scholarships for $1,500 each. Students who are majoring in math, science, engineering, or medicine are given preference for the FRS Staurulakis Family Scholarship and one Everett Kneece Return to Rural America Scholarship valued at $7,000.

Applications are available for download on the Foundation for Rural Service website: www.frs.org , or may be available through the local high school guidance counselors. Students may return applications through their school guidance counselor or to Hamilton. Applications may be mailed or hand delivered (no faxes or e-mails) and must be delivered to Hamilton Telecommunications by February 24, 2017.

Hamilton Telecommunications is a diversified communications and technology services provider based in Aurora, Neb. Founded in 1901 in Hamilton County, Hamilton has grown to encompass seven primary company divisions and has become one of the leading independent communications companies in the United States. For more information visit the company website at: www.HamiltonTel.com.

The Foundation for Rural Service is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Arlington, VA., that serves rural communities across the United States. Established in 1994 by the NTCA, FRS educates the public about the benefits of a nationwide telecommunications network and promotes rural connectivity as an essential link in this network. FRS believes that rural communities—regardless of their size or location—deserve the same connection to the world as do residents of urban areas.