A Worcester student inspired by his younger sister’s struggle with a heart condition hopes to become a cardiologist. Another student will receive $104,000 to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the largest individual scholarship award in the history of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
They are among 488 students receiving scholarship support from the foundation this year, part of an expanding program aimed at making higher education more accessible as tuition and other college expenses continue to rise.
The foundation awarded 247 new scholarships to students entering college this fall, including 145 one-time awards and 102 renewable scholarships that will provide financial assistance throughout their college careers. An additional $494,000 was distributed through existing renewable scholarships to 241 students already attending college.
The largest award went to Michael Sobolewski, who received $104,000 through the Becker Scholarship Fund to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Two other students benefit from a partnership between the foundation and Assumption University that increases the value of certain scholarships for recipients who enroll at the Worcester college.
Aedan Gonzalez received a $68,000 Becker Scholarship, which Assumption supplements with up to $5,000 annually, bringing the total award to $88,000.
Vanessa Biddy received a $32,550 Grace S. Hampel Becker Scholarship, designated for a graduate of Hoosac Valley High School attending college in Worcester County. With Assumption’s matching contribution, her total scholarship will increase to $52,550.
The awards reflect the growth of a scholarship program that began in 1978 and now encompasses 150 individual funds established by donors to support students pursuing higher education.
Among its largest are the Sumner B. Tilton Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Mary T. Cocaine Scholarship Fund and the more recently established Becker Scholarship Fund.
Average awards have grown to $2,000 for one-time scholarships and $12,000 for renewable scholarships, according to the foundation.
“These scholarships represent the hopes and aspirations of generations of donors who believe deeply in the potential of local students,” Pete Dunn, the foundation’s president and CEO, said in the announcement.
“As the cost of higher education continues to rise, scholarship support can make the difference between a student pursuing their goals with confidence or facing significant financial barriers. We are proud to help connect donor generosity with students whose talent, determination, and leadership will shape the future of our communities.”
For Nathan Lopez of Worcester, a scholarship from the Harold R. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund represents an opportunity to pursue a career shaped by his family’s experiences.
Lopez plans to study biology at Boston University before pursuing a career in cardiology. His interest in medicine grew from watching his younger sister undergo multiple surgeries for a heart condition and seeing the care his family received during that experience.
He hopes to provide other families with similar support.
“This money has allowed me to fully commit to chasing the dreams I have obsessed over for years,” Lopez said in the foundation’s announcement. “This scholarship has allowed me to proudly remark that I am the first in my immediate family to attend university.”
The Jensen scholarship fund supported more than a dozen students this year.
Recipients of the foundation’s new scholarships come from 66 cities and towns in Worcester County and beyond. More than two-thirds of students entering college will attend institutions in Massachusetts, including 44 enrolling at colleges and universities in Worcester County.
Among the most common destinations are UMass Amherst, Worcester State University, UMass Lowell, Assumption University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The foundation is also preparing to expand its support beyond traditional scholarships.
Earlier this year, it announced the creation of a Scholarship Emergency Fund intended to help recipients overcome unexpected financial difficulties that could threaten their ability to remain enrolled in college.
The initiative recognizes that even students receiving substantial scholarship assistance can face unforeseen expenses or financial setbacks that jeopardize their education.
The foundation is partnering with Scholarship America to administer the emergency assistance program, which is expected to become available by the end of 2026.
The foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Yearbook includes all 488 scholarship recipients, and information about future scholarship opportunities is available through the organization’s website.
