Genevieve Clough is giving high school students in western Garfield County the gift of education by offering them financial assistance possibilities through the Genevieve Clough Fellowship Program.The Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF), the Colorado Mountain College Foundation (CMCF), Garfield County School District 16 and Garfield School District Re-2 have announced the establishment of a multi-million-dollar scholarship fund, thanks to a generous donation from Clough, a longtime Garfield County resident. The funds will be divided equally to support two scholarships, both specifically for western Garfield County high school graduates and GED recipients.Applicants for the Genevieve Clough Fellowship programs must have recently graduated from Grand Valley, Rifle or Coal Ridge high schools, or live in one of the districts and have recently earned their GED. Fellowships are available only for those graduating seniors who have lived in Re-2 or District 16 for at least one year prior to their enrollment date. The fellowships are need-based, and not dependent on a student’s grade-point average.”I want these students to realize there’s a way they can better themselves. I just want to give them a chance, just to get them started,” Clough said.Her intention is to provide financial support for students who have not considered education beyond high school, or who have always thought it was beyond their reach.School and foundation officials were ecstatic over the size and flexibility of the gifts.”These scholarships give folks the opportunity to really do something with their lives,” said District 16 superintendent Steven McKee.One fellowship will be administered by the WCCF, while the other will be administered by the CMCF.”This is a tremendous gift for this community,” said the president and executive director of the WCCF, Anne Wenzel.The scholarships will provide opportunities for trade school, vocational education, certificate programs and associate degrees. Graduates and GED recipients will be able to apply for assistance to attend a college or vocational training program of their choice.Applicants must declare a degree or certificate program and enroll in at least six credit hours per semester at any of CMC’s seven campuses across north-central Colorado.”This extraordinary gift will bring us very close to reaching the $4 million goal we set for our scholarship campaign in July,” said CMCF chief executive officer Alexandra Yajko. “We can’t thank Mrs. Clough enough for her generosity in providing both for young people, and for the future of our communities.”Get in on the opportunity• More information on fellowship deadlines and applications will be available from high school counselors in January. Anyone who wants to learn more about the scholarships is also welcome to call the CMC Foundation, 947-8355, or Anne Wenzel at the Western Colorado Community Foundation, (970) 243-3767.