2023 CNP scholarship application online portal now open
The online application portal is now open for the CenterPoint Energy Scholarship and the Chairman’s Scholarship. These scholarships are designed to offset educational costs for students pursuing degrees and certifications at colleges and universities, community colleges or vocational schools during the 2023-2024 school year.
Applications for 2023 scholarships will be accepted online only today through March 1 at 3 p.m. CT.
The two scholarships offered are:
- The Chairman’s Scholarship - Awarded to students who demonstrate a history of excellence through a commitment to volunteerism and service. The application encourages students to report on their volunteer activities from the past four years. The award amount is $5,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. Students are eligible to win the award up to four times and must reapply each year. The scholarship honors past CNP board chairmen, including Don D. Jordan and Milton Carroll.
- CenterPoint Energy Scholarships - Awarded to four students annually who demonstrate a history of academic achievement and leadership through extracurricular activities. The scholarship provides $2,000 annually and is renewable for up to four years, as long as students meet the program requirements.
Students must be legal dependents of CNP employees or retirees. Dependents of CNP officers are not eligible to apply.
All employees and retirees with dependents who are entering or enrolled in post-secondary programs are encouraged to learn more about these scholarship opportunities and encourage their dependents to apply. Additional eligibility and application requirements can be found on the Scholarships page on CNP Today.
Scholarship America, CNP’s third-party vendor, manages the scholarship application and selection process. Students must use this link to apply as these scholarships are not available to the broader public. Scholarship America also has additional financial aid resources for students on its website.
If you have any questions, contact Rachel Molzahn, Senior Specialist, Community Relations.
Call CenterPoint Energy for Cold Weather Rule protection
As the winter heating season approaches, payment plans and energy assistance are available to help Minnesotans stay safe and warm
Minneapolis – Sept. 26, 2022 – CenterPoint Energy is reminding residential customers about Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, which protects Minnesotans who may have difficulty paying their heating bill by preventing disconnection of their natural gas service from Oct. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Under the Cold Weather Rule, customers are required to set up a payment plan with their utility to prevent disconnection of their service. To arrange a payment plan, CenterPoint Energy customers can call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Assistance.
"For any CenterPoint Energy customer who may be facing financial hardships, the most important thing to do is call us now to establish a payment plan and also see if you're eligible for energy assistance to help with your heating bills," said Christe Singleton, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. "As long as you follow a payment plan, the Cold Weather Rule will prevent disconnection of your natural gas service and help you and your family stay safe and warm this winter."
A payment plan takes into consideration a customer's financial situation and any other special circumstances. The payment plan must be agreeable to both the customer and CenterPoint Energy. If an agreed-upon payment plan cannot be reached, customers have a right to appeal under the Cold Weather Rule.
CenterPoint Energy representatives can also help refer customers to
income-qualified programs and services that provide financial assistance including, Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program. This federally-funded program helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Applications are accepted beginning Oct. 1.
CenterPoint Energy customers may also sign up for an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads natural gas costs throughout the year to help manage winter payment peaks. Customers can sign up at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.
Customers are encouraged to take advantage of energy efficiency offerings and resources to assist in managing natural gas bills this heating season. More information on rebates, energy-saving products and the Home Energy Squad® program can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.
CenterPoint Energy is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving 900,000 residential and business customers in more than 260 communities.
