UMass Dartmouth student, Meaghan Turgeon, was recently awarded a one-year scholarship by the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, a division of the SMART Northeast Regional Council.

The Dartmouth recipient will receive a total of $4,000 in funds to support them throughout their higher education.

The scholarship is part of a program run by the trade union that banks 7 cents to a scholarship fund for every hour a member works. Awards range from one-time $750 scholarships to four-year grants totaling $16,000.

"Our scholarship program is part of our union's commitment to giving back to the communities where our members live and work," said SMART Northeast Regional Council President Bob Butler. "When we invest in these hard-working students, we're helping build the future of these communities."

Since 1983, the program has awarded over $2.1 million in scholarships based on the state Labor History Exam performance or through a lottery drawing.