Verizon Wireless and the United Negro College Fund announced a partnership to offer scholarships to high school seniors in honor of Black History Month. Amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000 and are open to students in the Midwest and Northeast United States.

“It is imperative students interested in challenging and improving themselves through higher education get the support they deserve,” said Mike Maiorana, president of Verizon Wireless’ Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia Region. “We’re very proud to partner with the UNCF to create these scholarships and help highly-motivated students prepare for the road ahead.”

The Verizon Wireless/UNCF Black History Month Essay Contest requires a 500 word essay that discusses “how the evolution of wireless technology has changed the world in which we live.” Students may visit http://www.UNCF.org for all rules and the online application. The deadline is April 15, 2010.