The Northern New York Community Foundation's annual scholarship assistance will help 333 north country students pay for their college education in the next academic year.

The philanthropic organization has awarded nearly $626,000 to students in schools in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The foundation has provided more than $8 million in financial assistance to students since 1980.

The aid is widely distributed across a broad spectrum of students planning to attend private and public colleges, two-year and four-year institutions in-state and out of state, technical schools and liberal arts colleges. The grants will support students with diverse majors such as fine arts, engineering, communication, agriculture, business, medicine, science and technology studies.

The foundation scholarships provide special help to Northern New Yorkers because the winners do not have to compete with anyone other than their neighbors. All of the foundation's help is focused on local students, providing them a competitive advantage in the quest for higher education. Foundation scholarships make a significant difference in the lives of Northern New Yorkers and are one of the many reasons we have to be thankful for where we live.

Besides the student scholarships, nonprofits, health care providers, civic organizations and dozens of other groups have been able to sustain their programs, improve facilities or expand services to the region with millions of dollars in assistance from the Community Foundation.

Its commendable work has drawn the support of Northern New Yorkers who have returned the foundation's generosity through bequests and gifts that have enabled it to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the community.