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Application Deadline Approaching For Bright Minds Scholarships

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, February 21st 2013 at 12:00 GMT by Market Wire}  

Application Deadline Approaching For Bright Minds Scholarships -- SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today reminded high school, community college and "non-traditional" students that applications for the utility's [ Bright Minds™ Scholarship program ] are due by February 28, 2013. To date, PG&E has received over 1,200 applications from students throughout Northern and Central California.

Through its Bright Minds Scholarship program, PG&E will award up to $1 million in scholarships to enable high school, community college and "non-traditional" students to complete their higher education paths. Bright Minds scholarship winners will receive full-ride scholarships of up to $30,000 per year; program finalists will receive $2,500 towards their studies.

"As many families across California continue to face tough economic times, we must all work together to keep the cost of college within reach," said Tom Torlakson , State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "These scholarships are a great example of an ongoing public-private partnership that benefits students in a very real way, brightening the future of our entire state."

The PG&E Bright Minds scholarships will be awarded based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement. Eligible students will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the duration of the 2013-2014 academic year.

In 2012, PG&E awarded Bright Minds scholarships of up to $30,000 to 100 students throughout Northern and Central California. Scholarship recipients included high school seniors, current college students and adults returning to college. One scholarship recipient from Livermore was a veteran of the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another recipient from Bakersfield had been homeless at one time prior to turning her life around.

Videos featuring Bright Minds Scholarship winners Craig Martineau of Templeton, Lisa English of Bakersfield and Marisa Montoya Monier of Sacramento can be found on PG&E's [ Currents ] website at these links:

[ http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/02/01/video-bright-minds-scholarship-winner-craig-martineau-shares-his-story/ ]

[ http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/02/08/video-bright-minds-scholarship-winner-lisa-english-shares-her-story/ ]

[ http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/02/15/video-bright-minds-scholarship-winner-marisa-montoya-monier-shares-her-story/ ]        

For more information and to apply, visit [ www.pge.com/brightminds ]. Scholarship winners will be announced in the spring.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of [ PG&E Corporation ](NYSE: [ PCG ]), and the PG&E Corporation Foundation strive to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. In 2012 PG&E contributed over $23 million to charitable organizations, including matching the generosity of employees who donated more than $6 million and volunteered 41,000 hours to company-supported events. Community investments are funded entirely by shareholders. For more information, visit [ www.pge.com/community ].

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)