Small Change, Big Impact: Operation Round-Up Funds 20 Nonprofits in Record Year
Dec 18th, 2025
Through Operation Round-Up, First Electric members turn pocket change into powerful community impact — simply by rounding their bill up to the next dollar. Since 1998, that small gesture has added up to more than $1.7 million supporting local nonprofits and opening doors for students through scholarships.
Small Change, Big Impact: Operation Round-Up Funds 20 Nonprofits in Record Year
Dec 18th, 2025
Through Operation Round-Up, First Electric members turn pocket change into powerful community impact — simply by rounding their bill up to the next dollar. Since 1998, that small gesture has added up to more than $1.7 million supporting local nonprofits and opening doors for students through scholarships.
Let your creativity shine -> First Electric students ages 13–18 can submit an original apparel design by Jan. 30 for a chance to win a $300 gift card and have their design featured! Learn more
FIRST ELECTRIC TRUST OPERATION ROUND-UP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
SCHOLARSHIP:
Nine $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to nine high school seniors, funded by the First Electric Trust / Operation Round-Up fund.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any high school senior who will be graduating at the end of the 2025 school year, whose parents or guardians have their primary residence served by First Electric Cooperative.
Must have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale through the first semester of their senior year.
APPLICATION:
The First Electric Trust Scholarship Application, a high school transcript, a 150-word essay and two letters of recommendation. Please complete online applications and upload needed documents at https://www.firstelectric.coop/scholarships. This information must be submitted to First Electric office by 5 p.m. on May 2, 2025.
SELECTION:
Selection criteria will be based on scholastic achievement, school involvement, community involvement and financial need.
NOTIFICATION:
Scholarship student/recipient will receive notification by First Electric Cooperative and will be presented a scholarship award certificate. A scholarship award certificate will also be made available for the applicable school award ceremonies.
DISBURSEMENT:
Each scholarship awarded shall be up to a total of $2,000, payable in two semesters as follows:
The first semester check in the amount of $1,000, will be paid to the college or vocational/technical school after the student/recipient provides First Electric Cooperative with registration documentation from the college or vocational/technical school.
The second semester check in the amount of $1,000, will be paid to the college or vocational/technical school after the student/recipient provides First Electric Cooperative with a copy of the second semester registration documentation and an official school transcript indicating that the student/recipient successfully completed the previous semester with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
OTHER:
The scholarship must be used by student/recipient to attend, on a full-time basis, any Arkansas accredited institute of higher learning, including technical career programs.
First Electric Cooperative and Connect2First employees, directors and their immediate family members are not eligible.
Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees and their immediate family members are not eligible.