DALLAS (News release) -- Kimberly-Clark announced it is awarding 2021 Bright Futures Scholarships worth $960,000 to 48 college-bound students in recognition of their academic achievements and leadership roles in their schools and communities.

Established in 1993, the Bright Futures program is administered by the Kimberly-Clark Foundation and provides scholarship grants worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, to children of Kimberly-Clark employees throughout North America. Recipients are selected based on their academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience and community involvement. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $45 million in scholarships to 2,250 students for full-time study at accredited colleges and universities.

"This year's scholarship recipients have demonstrated an impressive commitment to academic excellence and community service," said Jenny Lewis, vice president of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation. "We are proud to support these students as they pursue their higher education, and we wish them the best for their continued success."

The 2021 class of Bright Futures Scholars will attend leading colleges and universities including Baylor University, Purdue University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Wisconsin. Past scholarship recipients have gone on to pursue successful careers in medicine, education, the armed forces and engineering.

Click here for more information on this year's award recipients.