Application for 2011 ACCESS scholarships are due in the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce office, 329 North Main Street, by 4 p.m. Friday, Dec.18. The Austin Chamber of Commerce Education Student Scholarship program awards scholarships of $400-$1500 each year to 8th and 12th grade students enrolled in Austin public or private schools.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the committee through a three-step process, which includes the written application, a speech presentation and personal interview. To qualify for an award, the student must complete all three steps of the process.

The ACCESS scholarship program was established in 1986 by the Chamber. Since then over $130,000 in scholarships have been awarded. The program is overseen by the Business Education Committee and all funds raised by the committee are dedicated solely for ACCESS scholarships.