For parents sending teens off to high school or college this fall, there's the anxiety of buying clothes and supplies.

And for those going into college, there's the matter of paying a rather large tuition bill.

But thanks to area businesses, the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce is offering $7,100 is ACCESS scholarships.

Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner said the scholarships range from $400 to $1,000 and are presented each year to eighth and 12th grade students.

The scholarships may be applied to any accredited post-secondary institution offering courses that are designed to prepare individuals for careers in business and related fields.

Eighth graders are awarded the scholarships in U.S. Savings Bonds; graduating seniors receive the cash awards following completion of their first semester of post-secondary education.

"This is the 17th year the Chamber and its business members have offered the scholarships," said Craig Byram, president of the chamber's board of directors. "Since it was established in 1986, the program has provided more than $100,000 in cash and savings bond scholarships to Austin students. All awards are made possible by direct donations from our business members and other community organizations."

Scholarship sponsors include Adams, Rizzi & Sween, PA, American Express Financial Advisors -- Hoerter & Brown, Austin Jaycees, Austin Daily Herald, Kiwanis Early Risers, Austin Noon Lions, Austin Mortgage Co., Austin Police Officers Assn., Austin Printing, Belita's Interiors, Bissen TV & Appliance, Cash Wise Foods, Davis, Thoen, Kramer & Associates, Elk's Lodge, Fawver Agency, First Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Fuhrman Real Estate, Gretchen's, Hill, Larson, Walth & Buhs, PA, Holiday Cars, Home Federal Savings Bank, Hormel Foods Corporation, Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP, Hy-Vee, Joseph Company, McFarland Truck Lines, Inc., Mayer Funeral Home, Nelson Family Dental Care, Reinartz Appraisals, The Old Mill, US Bancorp-Piper Jaffray, Security Bank Minnesota, Sterling State Bank, Ulwelling, Hollerud & Schulz Real Estate, Wangen Automotive, Watts Cookin', Wells Fargo.

Applications for the scholarships are available at Ellis Middle School, Austin High School Austin parochial schools and the chamber office at 329 N. Main, Suite 102. The applications must be in the chamber office by 4:30 p.m. March 7.