$4,000 in scholarships is being awarded for loving where you live.

College is expensive, we all know this. Even with the new free tuition in New York, the cost of private or public universities is a huge undertaking. But while everyone is trying to escape their hometown, a company is offering thousands of dollars for loving where you live.

Realtor.com has created the Local Pride Scholarship. This is an annual scholarship to encourage students to celebrate their local communities. First place will receive 2,500, second place gets  $1,000, and third places wins $500.

To enter, Realtor.com asks that you share what makes your community special. So for students in the Hudson Valley, they could talk about the breathtaking nature and views, exciting events and festivals, dedicated volunteer workers and service people, something else or maybe all of it!

You also must be 18 years or older, be a resident of the U.S. or District of Colombia, and plan to attend an accredited 2 year or 4 year school in the upcoming year.

The application period opened March 7, 2018, and ends June 30, 2018. Winners will be announced in July 2018.

More From WZAD-WCZX The Wolf