GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has launched a scholarship program that will award $35,000 to the children of truckers who drive a Volvo.

The ‘Great Minds’ scholarship program will award three scholarships one for $20,000, one for $10,000 and another for $5,000 to college or university students in the US or Canada, the company has announced.

Eligible recipients must have a parent or guardian who drives a Volvo truck for a living.

“Every parent knows the future lives through our children, especially in the trucking industry where so many businesses have strong family ties,” said Scott Kress, Volvo senior vice-president, sales and marketing. “The current economic situation has many families struggling to find a way to pay college expenses. Our customers help provide Volvo’s future, so we want to help them secure their children’s future through higher education.”

Eligible students must be already in, or entering, a college or university program in Fall, 2009. The payments will be submitted to the winners’ universities or colleges over a 12-month period, Volvo says.

To compete for the scholarships, students must submit an essay on ‘What has trucking meant to my family?’. They will also be evaluated based on overall academic performance, extracurricular activities and work experience. Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2009. For full details, visit www.volvotrucksgreatminds.com.