The application period has begun for Robert J. Dole Public Service Scholarships, given annually through Kansas University’s Dole Institute.

Barbara Ballard, associate director for outreach for the Dole Institute, said the $1,000 renewable scholarship is for Kansas high school seniors entering a four-year public institution in the state.

To qualify, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average in high school and demonstrate a commitment to public and community service, said Ballard, who administers the program.

“The whole idea behind this is that we want to promote public service as an honorable profession,” Ballard said. “Senator Dole would never have been able to go to the University of Kansas if his community had not chipped in and helped him out.”

The Dole Institute, through a federal grant provided by NASA, will award up to 128 scholarships this year to Kansas high school seniors. Since the program began in 2005, 336 scholarships have already been awarded.

Once the scholarships are awarded, they can be renewed for up to three additional years as long as students maintain a 3.0 GPA and log 100 community service hours throughout the year.

The recipients will be encouraged to pursue study and ongoing involvement in the area of public service

The selection of the students is done through Scholarship America, an independent firm, Ballard said, to ensure that KU is not accused of steering students to its institution.

Applications will be accepted until March 9.