The 2026-2027 Scholarship Application opens in February 2026

$13 million in scholarships to 3,700+ students since 1983

How Our Scholarships Program Works

Most scholarships are open to residents of our region only. They are also overwhelmingly for postsecondary study – a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, or a technical or vocational certificate. We prioritize lower-income students who are the first in their families to pursue college. Very few scholarships are open to graduate students; prospective applicants are encouraged to review the list of scholarship opportunities carefully before beginning an application.

Students apply for most scholarships through the General Application on the Scholarships Portal. After submitting the General Application, they may be asked to answer one or more questions in order to be eligible for certain scholarships. They must answer them in order to be considered for these scholarships. Submission of the General Application does not guarantee an award.

Staff and volunteer committees review and assess the applications based on the criteria for each of 130+ scholarships. Applicants are informed whether or not they have been selected by the end of June. Some scholarships are multi-year awards, but most are one-year, one-time awards. Single-year recipients are welcome to reapply for a scholarship each year. Scholarship awards are sent directly to the recipient’s educational institution, not to the recipient.

Scholarships with separate applications

Bulkeley Alumni-Harold J. Arkava Scholarship

The Bulkeley Alumni-Harold J. Arkava Scholarship is for lineal descendants of alumni of the Bulkeley School in New London, CT who are pursuing undergraduate studies or other post-secondary training at an accredited institution. Selections are made based on academic achievement and consideration of financial need.

First Time Applicants:

Fill out the Bulkeley Alumni – Harold J. Arkava Scholarship Application on the Scholarships Portal.

Previous Recipients:

Submit the RENEWAL of Bulkeley Scholarship Application on your dashboard in the Scholarships Portal.

Cahill Black Point Education Fund Scholarship

The Cahill Black Point Education Fund Scholarship is for members and direct descendants of members of Niantic’s Black Point Beach Club Association (BPBCA) who are pursuing postsecondary studies.

Submit the Cahill Black Point Education Fund Scholarship Application to be considered for this scholarship.

Caryn Nesbitt, M.D. Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Dr. Caryn Nesbitt, an Internal Medicine Physician at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London. Caryn recognized the critical need for primary care and preventive medicine services for women in our area. She was a pioneer in the delivery of medical services specifically designed to address the unique concerns of women, founding the Women’s Care Medical Center in Groton in September 1991. Caryn was passionate about offering a place where women could go and be treated in a comfortable atmosphere and obtain a wide range of services in one location.

The fund provides scholarships for female residents in the Foundation’s 42-town service area who are attending an accredited medical school, with a preference for students interested in women’s primary care and a desire to practice in the region.

Submit the Caryn Nesbitt, M.D. Memorial Scholarship application to be considered for this scholarship.

Hispanic Alliance Scholarship

Provides scholarships for students of Hispanic heritage, who are residents of New London County, and are pursuing accredited academic or vocational programs.