Scholarships for College

College aspirations of Worcester County students are being realized thanks to the many generous donors who have contributed funds to GWCF's Scholarship Program. For current high school seniors, one application opens the door to more than 130 unique scholarship opportunities. Whether you are a potential scholarship applicant or are looking to make a difference in the lives of local students through scholarships, the Foundation is here to help.

The deadline to apply for scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year was March 2, 2021.

Applications are currently being reviewed by the GWCF Scholarship Team. All applicants will be notified of their scholarship outcomes by July 2021.

About Our Scholarships

Eligibility

GWCF scholarships are awarded to current high school seniors who live in the 60 cities and towns that make up Worcester County. Applicants should intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate two or four-year degree program at an accredited college or university.

Beyond the basic eligibility criteria above, each of our scholarship funds have additional unique criteria established by our donors. Using information from the scholarship application, Foundation staff match all applicants with the scholarships for which they are eligible.

Awards

Scholarships range from $300 to $5,000, and may be one-time awards or renewable for subsequent years of college.


FAQs for Applicants

Eligibility Exceptions

Some GWCF scholarships are open to current college students and students who live outside Worcester County. Learn more below:

For College Students

If you are a current college student pursuing your first Bachelor's degree, you may apply if any of the following criteria:

  • Worcester County students transferring from a 2-year college to a 4-year MA state college or university (see details about the Herbert D. Sherwin Memorial Scholarship below!)
  • Children of members of the Worcester Rugby Football Club
  • Relatives of members of the Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club
  • Members of Congregation B'nai Shalom (Westborough, MA)
  • Members of St. Mary's Assumption Orthodox Albanian Church (Worcester, MA)
  • Members of Emmanuel Baptist Church (Worcester, MA)
  • Relatives of employees of: Christie & Thomson, Cutler Associates, Cutler Design, Feingold Companies, Milford Water Company, Quinsigamond Automotive Warehouse, R. H. White Companies, Rotman's Furniture Company, Whitinsville Water Company
  • Recent high school graduates from Worcester County who have had cancer, or have had a parent with cancer, and are enrolled in a 4-year college
  • Worcester County LatinX students who are pursuing degrees in health sciences, neuroscience, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy/ kinesiology, sports medicine, biology (pre-med), or biology.
  • Adults pursuing their first bachelor's degree after a gap between high school (or GED) and college.

For Non-Worcester County Residents

If you do not live within Worcester County, you may apply if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • Current high school seniors who live in Medway, MA. Learn more about what you may qualify for.
  • Current high school seniors who attend Framingham High School and Natick High School. Learn more about what you may qualify for.
  • Children of members of the Worcester Rugby Football Club
  • Relatives of members of the Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club
  • Relatives of employees of: Christie & Thomson, Cutler Associates, Cutler Design, Feingold Companies, Milford Water Company, Quinsigamond Automotive Warehouse, Rotman's Furniture Company

Submit an Eligibility Inquiry

If you have read the information above and have questions about your eligibility, please click here to submit an inquiry to our Scholarship Program Officer.

The Herbert D. Sherwin Memorial Scholarship Fund for transfer students

Jay Sherwin and his family started this scholarship fund to honor the memory of his father, a Worcester native who deeply valued education. 

This scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed two years at a community college and are transferring to a 4-year program at a Massachusetts public school. This scholarship will fund the full amount of unmet financial need for the recipient. 

Read the story behind the scholarship here. 

How the Application Process Works

  • The scholarship application is entirely online and made available to students each year in January. completed via an online form. A student only needs to complete one application in order to be considered for any of the Foundation's scholarships for which they are eligible. Applicants do not need to match themselves to potential scholarships. Learn more about application requirements here.
  • Every complete application received by the deadline is given full consideration. Based on the materials submitted, a selection committee evaluates the student’s performance, financial need, and other criteria specified by individual scholarships.
  • All students are notified of their application results in June. Awards are paid in one installment, in July, for the academic year beginning in the Fall.

Questions?

Contact Elaine Nedder,
Scholarship Officer
508-755-0980
Send email

Share this page

370 Main St. Suite 650, Worcester, MA 01608   (508) 755-0980   Email us   Enews Signup

Give Now   Donor Central