The Poterdale Village Council has been offering financial help to village residents for years but this year, the council began offering scholastic scholarships to residents.

The only problem is that a lot of village residents don’t yet know about the program.

“We’re having trouble getting applicants,” Council member Linda Finger said. “I do get calls all the time from people who are not Porterdale residents.”

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, applicants need to be Porterdale residents. But applicants don’t have to be a high school senior to receive the scholarship.

To apply for the scholarships residents must fill out a one-page application, along with an essay. Applications are available at Porterdale City Hall or by contacting Finger at 678-859-2496.

In February, Porterdale awarded $1,250 to a student.

“Jan came to a meeting, and we asked him his future goals,” Finger said.

Finger said the funds for the council’s scholarship funds come from community fundraisers, such as this year’s concert and fish fry. The council started awarding funds in 2008 but were paying for utilities, furniture and other home expenses, not school tuition.