The New England Fiberoptic Council (NEFC), a Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based regional professional organization promoting the photonics and fiber optics industries, announced it will offer $1000 college scholarships for 2007-2008 to qualified students interested in studying fiber optics. The awards will be merit-based, said Fenna Hanes, NEFC’s educational chair and a member of its board. The benefits will not just be monetary, she added. “Students will also have the opportunity to attend all our monthly meetings for free and take advantage of the great networking opportunities they present. Also, they can participate free of charge in all the NEFC workshops at our annual FiberFest trade show in Marlborough, Mass.” Since the scholarship program’s inception eight years ago, NEFC has provided $44,000 to New England students. This year, it will award another $5000. “We’re also very interested in hearing from schools that are exploring ways of establishing a course in the future for their students,” Hanes said. Community colleges and technical schools are invited to contact her at (617) 357-9620, ext. 129, or [email protected]. For more information about the scholarship or to download an application, visit www.nefc.com.