Apply for a Scholarship

If you are a resident of one of our 42 towns or Westerly, 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 with SmarterSelect.com, our online scholarship system. Note: If you established a SmarterSelect account for a previous scholarship application to us, the “Apply Here” button will bring you to a log-in screen. 

You may need to work on your application over time. Once in SmarterSelect, 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 with SmarterSelect.
    • 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 SmarterSelect 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.

    Start Your Application Here

    General High School: 

    Application Deadline April 5, 2019 @ 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 2019-2020 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 5, 2019 at 5 pm.

    Apply Here

    General College:
    Application Deadline March 22, 2019 @ 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 2019-2020 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 Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5 pm.

    Apply Here

    Bulkeley Alumni-Harold J. Arkava Scholarship Fund:

    Application Deadline April 1, 2019 @ 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 Monday, April 1, 2019 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 1, 2019 @ 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 2019-2020 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 Monday, April 1, 2019 at 5 pm.

    Apply Here

     

    Caryn Nesbitt, MD, Memorial Scholarship:

    Application Deadline March 22, 2019 @ 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 2019-2020 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 Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5 pm.

    Apply Here

    John Coleman Prince, American Legion Post 9 Scholarship:

    Application Deadline April 1, 2019 @ 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 Monday, April 1, 2019 at 5 pm.

    Apply Here

    Contact

    P: 860.442.3572
    P: 1.877.442.3572 (toll free)
    F: 860.442.0584 (fax)
    Email Us

    Location

    68 Federal Street
    New London, CT 06320
    Directions

    Email Updates

    © Copyright , The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy | Site Map