The Virginia Cannabis Association is partnering with non-profit group Educapital Foundation in offering $1 million in scholarships to college students, WWBT reports. Eligible students can receive one-time $1,000 scholarships.
Juan Silva, director of community outreach with Educapital, told WWBT that low-income students who were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs can benefit from the program while boosting their local economy.
“A lot of people have 20, 30, 40 years of being incarcerated right now for a plant that a lot of people are making money off of.” — Silva to WWBT
Educapital offers cannabis culinary, the business of cannabis, pharmacy tech, and certified grower programs, including master’s degrees, Silva said. The courses are offered online through the Mitchell School of Business and Greenleaf University, but there are plans to work with Virginia Tech and other Virginia schools in the future, the report says. Upon graduation, 50 students will be selected to receive up to $10,000 each for their startup business.
According to the Educapital website, to qualify for the program students must be at least 18-years-old, a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA recipient, or hold an employment authorization card, low income, and “highly motivated to learn to begin a career in the cannabis industry.” Students must also maintain a “B” average or above, a 70% attendance rate, and meet any additional requirements outlined by the school.
Educapital also offers scholarship opportunities for students in New York – a partnership with the New York Cannabis Association – and in New Jersey.
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