SEAGD is returning more than $150,000 to area schools as part of the company’s Give Back to Schools initiative, and also is announcing a new scholarship program.

Andalusia City Schools, under the direction of Superintendent Ted Watson, received $15,508 for the 2015 school year. Covington County Schools, under the direction of Shannon Driver, received $14,972 for the 2015 school year.

SEAGD provides dollars back to 19 school systems, representing more than 50 schools that use natural gas. Since 2010, SEAGD has given back more than $800,000 to area public schools who are also SEAGD customers.

The Give Back to Schools initiative is designed to provide dollars to public schools based solely on their natural gas usage for the previous year. So, the more natural gas a school system uses, the more dollars that system will receive. While this program was initially approved by the SEAGD board of directors for only two years, the board chose to extend the program for subsequent years to assist the schools.

“In addition to the funds we’re giving directly to Andalusia City Schools and Covington County Schools, this year we’ve added another component to our Give Back to Schools program,” said SEAGD board member and Andalusia City Councilman Kennith Mount. “We (SEAGD) just announced a community service scholarship for which graduating seniors can apply beginning this year.”

The SEAGD Community Service Scholarship is a competitive scholarship available to high school seniors attending public schools currently served by SEAGD. The scholarships are $1,500, and will be awarded to up to 21 students representing the 21 public high schools currently served by SEAGD. Students from Andalusia, Pleasant Home, Red Level and Straughn who plan to attend a technical college, community college or a university in the fall are encouraged to apply.

School systems impacted by SEAGD’s Give Back to Schools initiative include Andalusia City, Butler County, Coffee County, Covington County, Crenshaw County, Dale County, Daleville City, Dothan City, Elba City, Enterprise City, Eufaula City, Henry County, Houston County, Lowndes County, Opp City, Ozark City, Pike County, Russell County and Troy City.