In an email from Gov. Northam it was announced that high school students who identify as female can enter an essay contest for a scholarship.

It’s the eleventh annual science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and healthcare essay contest.

The contest was created by the Virginia Council on Women to encourage women to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers which became STEM-H last year to include healthcare and this year includes the arts.

In its tenth year the council was able to award $200,000 in scholarships.

The eleventh contest will award one merit-based and one need-based scholarship in five geographic regions of the Commonwealth.

Merit-based will be awarded based on the quality of the essay submitted.

The need-based will be awarded on the quality of the essay and the individuals self identified financial need.

Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 3, 2022.

Applications and qualifications for the contest can be found here.

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