Apply for a Scholarship

If you are a resident of one of our 42 towns or some towns in western Rhode Island, or meet the eligibility criteria of a scholarship for which there is a specific application, you are invited to apply. 

To begin, click “Apply Here” for the appropriate application link below. You will be asked to create a free account in our Online Scholarship System. Note: If you established an account in SmarterSelect (our old system) for a previous scholarship application to us, you will still need to create a new account in the Online Scholarship System.

Once you have set up your user account on the Online Scholarship System, you will need to take an eligibility quiz to identify the application(s) that you may complete. 

You may need to work on your application over time. Once in the Online Scholarship System, you can save your application at any point and return to it later.

Tips:

  • Read all instructions thoroughly and pay close attention to deadlines. See also FAQs
  • Apply using an email address that you will continue to use after the school year ends.
  • Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the best user interface.
  • Make sure your essay fits in the space provided. If it is too long, edit it to fit the maximum word count.
  • Submit attachments as a Word or PDF document. Do not include video or audio clips of any kind.
  • Save a copy of your scholarship application for your records. 
  • Supporting documentation that cannot be attached to the online application may be mailed to: Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Attn: Scholarship Committee, 68 Federal Street, New London, CT 06320.

What NOT to do:

  • Use your school email address instead of a personal address you will have after high school
  • Misspell your guidance counselor’s or teacher’s email address
  • Have your parent do your application (or if you receive a scholarship, have them write your thank-you note)
  • Not proofread your application, especially your essay
  • Explain why you didn’t participate in clubs, sports or a part-time job “to focus on your schoolwork” when your transcript shows you to be a C student
  • Ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation but not show up and/or behave in their class or do your homework 

 

Start Your Application Here

General High School:
Application Deadline April 17, 2020 @ 5pm

Use this application if you:

  • Are a graduating high school senior who lives in one of the 42 communities we serve in Eastern Connecticut or in Westerly, Rhode Island;
  • Will be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university for the 2020-2021 school year; and
  • Are in good academic standing.

Information required for this application includes:

  • Personal information (name, permanent address, phone and email)
  • Family information (parent’s name, education level, occupation, siblings’ ages, Expected Family Contribution as listed on the Student Aid Report from the FAFSA)
  • Academic Information (current school, GPA, guidance counselor’s name, email and phone to request your transcript, SAT/ACT scores, name, email and phone of person writing your letter of recommendation)
  • College information (School you will attend if you already know, and/or top three schools you have applied to and whether you have been accepted)
  • Intended area of study and career goals
  • School-based activities (clubs, sports)
  • Other activities (volunteerism, work experience, non-school-based athletics)
  • Honors and other achievements
  • Essay (750 words max.) 
  • Extra essay (500 words max.) for Tuneski/Sheflott Scholarship (about Irish and/or Polish heritage) and Union School/John Geissler/Jerry Baggish scholarships (about Union as a hometown and its impact on the applicant)

The application deadline is Friday, April 17, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

General College:
Application Deadline April 6, 2020 @ 5pm

Use this application if you:

  • Are a current college student from one of the 42 towns we serve or from Westerly, RI; or if you are a returning college students of any age, that is, you are an adult returning to post-secondary education after at least one year out of high school and you are financially independent.
  • Will be enrolled in an accredited college or post-secondary institution for the 2020-2021 year; and
  • Are in good academic standing.

Information Required for this Application Includes:

  • Personal information (name, permanent address, phone and email)
  • Family information (parent’s name, education level, occupation, siblings’ ages, Expected Family Contribution as listed on the Student Aid Report from the FAFSA)
  • Current enrollment (name of school, GPA, expected date of graduation)
  • College transcript and letter of recommendation
  • Intended major and career goals
  • Essay (750 words max.) 

The application deadline is Monday, April 6, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

Bulkeley Alumni-Harold J. Arkava Scholarship Fund:
Application Deadline April 15, 2020 @ 5pm

For lineal descendant of former student of the Bulkeley School in New London, CT who are pursuing post-secondary studies at an accredited educational institution.

Information Specific to this Application Includes:

  • Full name of the former Bulkeley School student and his class year
  • Your relationship to him

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

 

Note: This scholarship is NOT the Leonard H. Bulkeley Scholarship, which is unaffiliated with the Community Foundation. For information on that scholarship, contact:

Leonard H. Bulkeley Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 1426
New London, CT 06320
Phone Number: 860.447.1461
Fax Number: 860.439.1638

Cahill Black Point Education Fund Scholarship:
Application Deadline April 15, 2020 @ 5pm

For members and descendants of members of Niantic’s Black Point Beach Club Association who are graduating high school seniors and who will be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Information is specific to this application includes:

  • Full name of the Black Point Beach Club Association member
  • Your relationship to him or her

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

Caryn Nesbitt, MD, Memorial Scholarship:
Application Deadline April 6, 2020 @ 5pm

For female students with financial need who are residents of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington or Waterford, who have completed their undergraduate studies, and who will be enrolled full-time in an accredited medical school for the 2020-2021 school year.

Information Specific to this Application Includes:

  • Name and address of medical school
  • Whether you are currently attending or have been accepted to begin in the fall
  • Your medical career goals, including where you hope to practice

The application deadline is Monday, March 23, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

John Coleman Prince, American Legion Post 9 Scholarship:
Application Deadline April 15, 2020 @ 5 pm

For members, legal dependents and legal descendants (children, stepchildren and grandchildren) of America Legion Post 9 who are graduating high school seniors, current college students or adults returning to college to pursue post-secondary studies at an accredited educational institution. The member must be in good standing and have been a member of Post 9 for at least one year.

Information Specific to this Application Includes:

  • Full name of Post 9 member(s)
  • Your relationship to them

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

Skip Thavenet Scholarship Fund:
Application Deadline April 15, 2020 @ 5 pm

The Skip Thavenet Scholarship is to provide scholarships for students who are residents of the Connecticut towns of Stonington and North Stonington, and the Rhode Island towns of Westerly, Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, who are pursuing studies at an accredited community college, technical or trade school or in a certification program in the technical fields with preference for the industrial arts (i.e., welding, industrial manufacturing and construction management programs as well as industrial engineering).

Students who are enrolled or intend to enroll in other engineering programs, including but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering are EXCLUDED from receiving this scholarship.

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 5 pm.

Apply Here

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F: 860.442.0584 (fax)
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New London, CT 06320
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