WORCESTER—The Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) is committing $1.6 million in scholarships to support 428 students from Worcester County as they begin their college journeys this academic year, it announced this week. The financial boost comes at a pivotal time for students, helping to alleviate the costs of higher education.
This year, 228 new scholarships were awarded, including 147 one-time grants averaging $1,200 and 81 renewable scholarships that provide approximately $8,000 over a four-year period. Additionally, 200 previously awarded scholarships were renewed, bringing the total distributed this year to $742,450, with $894,250 conditionally set aside for future years.
GWCF President and CEO Pete Dunn highlighted the growing importance of renewable scholarships, emphasizing that “financial security throughout one’s college journey” is increasingly being recognized. According to the press release, the foundation’s long-term commitment ensures stability for students over their academic careers, with more than $1.6 million earmarked for scholarship recipients over the next four years.
One notable new scholarship this year was established by the Trust of Mary T. Cocaine, the late matriarch of Table Talk Pies. The Mary T. Cocaine Scholarship Fund aims to support descendants of immigrants and refugees in the Worcester area. This year, five students receive renewable scholarships from this fund, and an additional student receives a one-time grant to cover the remaining costs of technology and books.
In addition to financial support, the foundation’s scholarships aim to keep local talent within Massachusetts. Of the 228 new awardees, 121 students have chosen to stay in-state, with 46 attending colleges in Worcester County, such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, and UMass Amherst.
GWCF’s scholarship program, now in its 45th year, continues to be able to provide these scholarships because of the contributions of 142 fundholders and the efforts of more than 70 volunteers who review applications and make recommendations.
For more details about the foundation’s scholarship program, visit Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s Scholarship Overview.
Send news releases to carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
