Scholarships from External Sources

Each year Big Y awards over 300 scholarships totaling more than $250,000. All Big Y scholarships recognize academic merit and achievement. They are awarded to the most academically outstanding students in the Big Y market area. Big Y scholarships are available to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, community college, and non-traditional age students. All Big Y employees are eligible regardless of their residence.

There are several different scholarship opportunities and applications for each of the Southeast, Norwich, and Windham County sections of the Community Foundation's 42-town territory.

The majority of the Foundation’s scholarships use an online application. Most of these funds have very specific eligibility criteria.

The Community Foundation has transitioned to an online application process for the scholarships chosen by the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee.

Community Foundation administers scholarships and no-interest loans for students who live in Western Massachusetts. Last year alone, the program attracted around 2,500 applications and awarded approximately $2 million to over 700 recipients and is recognized as one of the largest programs of the 700 plus community foundations in the country. The application is only available online.

Discover Student Loans gave away $50,000 in scholarships to high school and undergraduate students. Students are automatically entered to win a $5,000 scholarship when they signed up.

The Community Foundation is honored to have a variety of scholarship funds established by individuals and groups of donors for the purposes of helping young people further their education. The Foundation does not accept scholarship applications but works with scholarship selection committees that screen and recommend candidates to the ECCF Board of Trustees for approval.

JERICHO, the Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults in Holyoke, is pleased to announce the availability of the Father Robert F. Wagner Memorial Scholarship. Two $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded annually to students from Western Massachusetts who are graduating from high school or are enrolled at an accredited college or university.

This award of $9,000 (each award) is available for two undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in full-time study preparing for a career in state and local government finance. The winners, if selected, will be invited to attend the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's (GFOA) annual conference in Denver, Colorado where the awards will be presented. The GFOA will provide a complimentary annual conference registration and pay for transportation costs to Denver as well as hotel accommodations.

Since their inception in 1997, hundreds of local students have received financial support through the Community Foundation’s scholarship programs to pursue higher education. Under the Community Foundation’s Donor Involved Scholarship Programs, donors or organizations partner with Community Foundation to oversee the selection and awarding process while the Community Foundation ensures compliance with IRS regulations and handles award processing. Under the GLCF’s managed scholarship fund the Community Foundation administers the application, selection and award process with the help of staff and community volunteers.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation offers many college scholarships, ranging in size from $300 to $5,000 that help local students continue their education after high school. Roughly, half of them were renewable for subsequent years of study. Scholarships are awarded for the academic year beginning in September. The application is available online.

As one of the nation's largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is the only major scholarship effort that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many aid programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger program also seeks students who have a commitment to use their college degrees in service to others. The National Scholarship Program is awarded to eligible students in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference.

The New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC), is offering three to four scholarships up to $5,000, to undergraduate or graduate students who are currently enrolled in any accredited public or private New England college or university, who have completed a minimum of one semester of classes, and who have a demonstrated interest in the benefits field. Scholarships are merit-based.

Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college.

The Barr Scholarships are available to students living in Hampden County seeking a college education. Applicants must be graduates of Hampden County (MA) secondary schools; fellowship applicants must be residents of Hampden County or qualified former residents.

This scholarship will award $20,000 to four current and future graduate students for their graduate or professional degree. 

Veterans United Foundation strives to enhance lives by recognizing the selfless contributions of service members and their families through support of such individuals in need. The program assists military service members and their families by awarding up to twenty $2,000 scholarships per semester to help pay for tuition and books.