North Idaho College’s latest round of Metallica Scholars received their tickets to a brighter future when the college awarded them a total of $92,600 in scholarships Wednesday at NIC Parker Technical Education Center.

About 30 students watched a short video message from the band before accepting their scholarships.

“All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about. We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same,” said Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer and co-founder.

A total of 62 students are benefiting directly from the Metallica Scholars Initiative grant funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation. In 2018, NIC was one of 10 community colleges from across the country chosen through a competitive proposal process to receive the funding to support students training to enter the American workforce. The initiative provides direct scholarship support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or emerging profession.

“NIC’s proposal was geared toward manufacturing programs. The priorities in our proposal were designed to level the playing field. For example, it gave priorities to single parents and students who have to travel — such as though driving from Sandpoint and Kellogg every day,” said Pat O’Halloran, NIC Aerospace director. “It’s somewhat unusual funding and we’re anxious to see the impact.”