What is the scholarship process?

The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation awards scholarships each spring to Island residents seeking to further their education. All scholarship applicants, whether a high school senior or a student already enrolled in a college program, must submit an online application and the required supporting materials to the Community Foundation by the posted deadline.

Online applications typically open mid-January and are due mid-March. Applicants will be notified via email if they have been awarded a scholarship. College applicants will typically be notified mid-May. High School Seniors will be notified early June. Exact dates can be found, here.

What is needed for the online application?

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • General Essay:
    • Please use this opportunity to tell us something about you that is not covered by the rest of the application.
    • 10,000 character limit
  • Current Letter of Recommendation
    • Letters of Recommendation need to be dated either 2021 or 2022
    • A letter of recommendation should be from a professional, such as a teacher, professor, coach, employer, advisor, etc. If you are a high school senior, the Guidance Counselor Report can be considered as our letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation can be uploaded either by the applicant or by the reference themselves.
  • Current Transcript
  • Current GPA on a 4.00 scale
  • Volunteer Experience & Social Activism
  • Academic Awards and Honors
  • Extracurricular Activities over the last two years
  • Financial Information including:
    • Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) based on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • Field of Study, Intended Major, and College/University/Other Institution you plan on attending (if you have not decided or have not yet received an admission decision, please list your first choice of institution).
  • Projected College/Program Costs including:
    • Projected tuition, room and board, and other expenses (book fees, transportation, etc.)

OPTIONAL ESSAYS:

  • Blankenship/Hughes Scholarship Fund Essay:
    • Established by the Ruth B. and Robert H. Hughes Charitable Annuity Trust, this essay scholarship is awarded to a senior of MVRHS who best answers the question, “how can I help improve the quality of life on the Vineyard?”
    • 10,000 character limit
  • Embarking Peacemaker Essay:
    • This award is for a resident of Martha’s Vineyard graduating from high school with plans for further education. The primary criteria is evidence of an established concern for fostering peaceful resolution of conflict, as demonstrated by a history of committed action and in a brief personal essay. The essay might reflect on what you have done and intend to do to foster nonviolence, justice and peace, or what you would work to have our government do. (A collection of these student writings may be used to solicit donations for the Embarking Peacemaker Scholarship Fund.)
    • 10,000 character limit
  • Performance Audio/Videos:
    • an opportunity to upload up to 3 performance audio/videos to be considered for the Will Luckey Scholarship Fund and the Island Community Chorus – Peter R. Boak Music Award.

OTHER OPTIONAL MATERIALS:

  • A Second Letter of Recommendation
  • Work Experience: an opportunity to list work experience if you feel it adds to your application, 1000 character limit
  • Career Goals: an opportunity to describe, including future plans for additional education where applicable, 1000 character limit
How do I use the online application?

Please follow the following tutorials:

Still having trouble?
Call our office at (508)338-4665 or email us at info@marthasvineyardcf.org

Who can apply for a scholarship?

Any resident of Martha’s Vineyard who will be graduating from an accredited secondary school or an Island high school is eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation.  In addition, residents who already are enrolled in college may apply.  Please note that some scholarships are only available to MVRHS graduates.  The online application will guide you to the funds available to you.  Additionally you may find details within the description of each fund.

Do I need to apply to a specific scholarship fund?

No. The information you provide in the online application will help guide the Community Foundation’s Board and staff in determining which fund or funds are most appropriate for you.

How much financial support do your scholarships provide?

Scholarships generally range in size from $1,000 to $10,000 a year, depending upon a student’s need and the availability of funds.

Can I apply for financial aid from other sources in addition to the Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation?

Yes. In fact, students are encouraged to seek support from other sources, both public and private, to fund their college expenses.

Can I receive scholarships from the Community Foundation once I am in college?

Yes.  Students who receive a scholarship upon graduation from high school are encouraged to apply for continuing support for the remainder of their college experience.  The Community Foundation does require that a new application be submitted for each year you wish to be considered for a scholarship.

What other useful steps can I take?

A useful step when applying for scholarships or financial aid is to file an application for federal student aid that is available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid.  Information is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.   The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation requests the Expected Family Contribution figure from that filing, when available.

For more information

Contact us at 508-338-4665 or by email, below.

Email us
Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation