Scholarship Opportunities for Students
The Community Foundation administers a number of scholarship funds to eligible graduating high school seniors.
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| February 1 | Applications open via online portal |
| April 15 | Applications are due at 12:00pm |
| May 31 | Decisions emailed |
| July 31 | Payments mailed |
Available Scholarships
Established in 2005, this scholarship is made possible by Princeton Post No. 76, American Legion. The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans’ organization. Dr. Frank, who passed away in 2016, was a veteran of World War II and a finance professor, who served for many years as the Service Officer for the Princeton Post No. 76 American Legion, according to his obituary.
Eligibility:
- Resident of Princeton, West Windsor or Plainsboro
- Applicant must be the child (natural or adopted), step-child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Award:
- Two scholarships awarded annually
- $1,000 per year
- Up to four years of undergraduate study at an accredited community college, diploma-issuing technical school or four-year college or university in the United States.
Deadline to Apply: April 15
The Sandra M. Glazier Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Sandy Glazier, the co-founder of the Cancer Concern Center of Point Pleasant. She was elected to represent women battling cancer by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and was featured in the 2001 My Hope Calendar. Her leadership efforts were recognized in May 2000 when she was awarded the Russ Berrie Prize for Making a Difference. A vibrant individual with a zest for life, and an inspiration to all, Sandy passed away on Oct. 22, 2001 after seven years of battling metastatic breast cancer.
Her family and friends established the scholarship fund to fulfill one of her life-long wishes to provide financial assistance for college study to students whose parents have been stricken by cancer, or who have been afflicted themselves.
The scholarship is a tribute to Sandy’s life and interests and a reminder not only of her battle against a terrible disease, but also her successes as a mother, wife and breast cancer advocate.
Eligibility:
- Student attending a high school in Ocean or Monmouth County
- Student must have a parent who has been or is afflicted with cancer; or must be battling cancer him/herself.
- Financial need, academic excellence, community service, extracurricular activities, leadership and work experience are among the factors that will be considered.
- A “C+” (2.5 GPA) average or better must be achieved throughout the term of the scholarship.
Award:
- Up to $5,000 per year for up to four years ($20,000 total)
- Up to four years of full-time study at an accredited college, university or vocational school
Deadline to Apply: April 15
This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of two Community Foundation scholarship funds that support students who have been active participants in their communities: The Frank Clark Memorial Fund and the Bethany Scholarship Fund.
Frank Clark lived and worked in the Princeton area for 55 years. He spent most of his career as Director of the Princeton YMCA and he left behind a legacy of community service.
In 1963, he founded the locally-broadcast radio show “Youth Speaks Up,” giving teens the opportunity to voice opinions and interview adults. In 1979 he founded the Minorities Journalism Workshop to attract talented high school students to careers in newsrooms.
Mr. Clark offered constant encouragement to students, and raised money to help 56 attend four-year colleges. All he asked in return was that they “help someone else.” Following his death in 1995, the Frank Clark Memorial Fund was established as a way to honor and perpetuate his generosity and humanitarian spirit.
The Bethany Scholarship Fund was also established in 1995. It was created by a young couple while they were enrolled in a local graduate school program in Mercer County. They wished to provide scholarships for post-secondary education or training to ambitious students who have been active in their communities.
Eligibility:
- Resident of Mercer County
- Demonstrated commitment to community service over several years
Award:
- One year of undergraduate study at a four-year college or university
Deadline to Apply: April 15
Established in 1981, this scholarship was made possible through the generosity of A. Myrtle Hensor, a Princeton Business and Professional Women, Inc. (BPW) member.
Eligibility:
- Female
- Princeton Regional High School student
- Plans to pursue a career in education
Award:
- $1,000
- One year of study at a four-year college or university, two-year college or vocational school
Deadline to Apply: April 15
The William F. Johnson Jr. Scholarship was originally established by Mr. Johnson when he was the Principal of John Witherspoon Middle School which is currently the Princeton Middle School. Major gifts for this fund came through the school PTO from an anonymous donor. Mr. Johnson retired in June 2010 after 32 years of service. The scholarship was established to support one or more students with ancillary college expenses (i.e., books, a computer, travel, etc.).
Eligibility:
- Student must be a graduating senior from Princeton High School
- Student must have attended Princeton Middle School (formerly known as John Witherspoon Middle School)
- Student must be accepted in a college or vocational school
- Student must exhibit scholarship, leadership, and community service
Award:
- Up to 3 awards at approximately $3,000 each
Deadline to apply: April 15
Established in 1977 in memory of Louise Maas, a member of the Princeton Business and Professional Women, Inc. (BPW). During her tenure at the club, Ms. Maas actively urged the use of scholarship funds to prepare women for the health professions, specifically nursing.
Eligibility:
- Female
- Princeton Regional High School student
- Plans to pursue career in the allied health professions
Award:
- $1,000
- One year of study at a four-year college or university, two-year college or vocational school
Deadline to Apply: April 15
Mary’s grandparents went to Idaho in a covered wagon and settled on a ranch where they raised sheep. She spent many summer there, learning at an early age that education was important — lamb prices were fickle!
An honors graduate of Stanford University, where she also played field hockey, Mary moved to Princeton, when she married Edwin Wislar. Her six children all benefited from good educations, with three receiving Master’s degrees. She dedicated much of her adult life to insuring that learning opportunities were available to young people.
Much of Mary’s free time was devoted to supporting her children’s schools, especially the Newgrange School, which her youngest daughter attended and where Mary served as Board President from 1982 to 1984. Following her untimely and unexpected death in 1987, at age 57, Newgrange established the Mary Elliott Wislar Library Collection to encourage reading.
Eligibility:
- Mercer County resident
- Demonstrated leadership in school, extra-curricular and/or community activities in preparation for making a positive contribution to their future communities.
Award:
- Two years of study at a four-year college or university, two-year college or vocational school
Deadline to Apply: April 15
Lion L. Woodward embodied the mission of Rotary – “Service Above Self.” He was a charter member of the Trenton Rotary Club in 1914, President in 1920, and District Governor two years later.
Lion graduated from trade school in Lancaster, Pa., came to Trenton in 1901 and secured a menial job at the Fitzgibbon and Crisp Wagon and Carriage Company. He became president of the company 13 years later and transformed it into an auto body manufacturer.
He served as President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce, director of a local bank, Financial Chairman of the YMCA, and President of the Trenton Country Club. In the year before his death, he was elected President of the Auto Car Company, a growing truck manufacturer. His career was ended by his untimely death at the age of 48 in 1927. “He will be remembered,” declared the Trenton Times, “as a man of keen mind, unselfish spirit, and indomitable zeal.”
Trenton Rotary established the Lion Woodward Educational Fund in 1928 as a memorial to assist worthy students in achieving their educational goals. The Fund is now held at the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and overseen by a committee of five current Rotarians.
Eligibility:
- Student at a high school in Trenton, or in the greater Mercer or Buck counties area
- Maintain a C (2.0 GPA) or better for the term of the scholarship.
- Must report progress in person at a Trenton Rotary meeting once per year to continue eligibility for years 2, 3 and 4 of the scholarship.
- Financial need, academic achievement, exemplary community service, and leadership are among the factors considered.
Award:
- Up to $4,000 per year, for up to four years of full-time study ($16,000 total)
- Up to four years of full-time study at an accredited college, university, trade, or vocational school
Deadline to Apply: April 15
Past Recipients
For more information or support, please contact:
Myriam Padro
Philanthropy Services Associate
Email Myriam Padro
Nelida Valentin
Vice President, Grants & Programs
Email Nelida Valentin