About $165,000 in scholarships from the North Georgia Community Foundation will be available to graduating high school seniors this year.

The foundation will hand out 75 scholarships. Each has its own purpose and eligibility criteria. Awards vary in size, depending on the amount designated in each of the 17 particular funds.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life in North Georgia, and one of the best ways to do so is through higher education scholarships," said Jim Mathis, president of the North Georgia Community Foundation.

Application forms, eligibility information and directions for applying for the scholarships are available on the foundation’s Web site, www.ngcf.org. Applications will be accepted through April 1 unless otherwise specified.

Founded in 1985 by Lou Fockele and other business leaders, the foundation is dedicated to enhancing the spirit and quality of life of the community by building, managing and awarding charitable grants from a pool of community funds valued in excess of $33 million. To date, more than $35 million in grants have been awarded. The first scholarship fund was started in 1985.

Also, the group promotes training and networking among the region’s nonprofits, which includes about 300 organizations. For more information, visit the Web site or call 770-535-7880, ext. 226.