Applications are now available for the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship for professional women, which is worth as much as $4,000 per person.

Since its inception in 1919, the Zonta International Worldwide Service Organization has been dedicated to furthering the role of professional women in modern society.

To achieve this goal, Zonta International offers scholarships to women interested various fields of study throughout the world.One of these scholarships is the Jane M. Klausman Women In Business Scholarship, which is offered annually to young women in the field of business, a press release stated.

Applications for the scholarship are available at the School of Business, the Financial Aid Office and the Zonta Club of Coles County. Applications should be returned to Jone Zieren in the Financial Aid office by May 1.

“Our goal is to promote women in business. We are trying to do anything that we can to further professional women in their careers,” said Jone Zieren, Zonta Club of Coles County representative.

Jane M. Klausman was a successful professional secretary and former member of the Zonta International Organization, who recently passed away, Zieren said.

“When she died, she bequeathed her money to Zonta International,” she said.”The money was invested and used as the foundation of the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship Program.”

Zonta International is looking for women in their third or fourth year of undergraduate study in the field of business with outstanding academic accomplishments. Organization, creativity, motivation and potential for learning in the field of business are also considered to be important characteristics of potential scholarship winners, a press release stated.

Each local club of Zonta International will accept applications and select a single winner whose application will then continue to the district level.Each of the 30 international districts will then select a winner.

Winners at the district level will receive a $400 scholarship and their applications will be entered into the final evaluation. Out of the 30 finalists, $4,000 scholarships will be given to as many of the most qualified women as funding will allow,.