An additional $494,000 was distributed through existing renewable scholarships. 

This year’s scholarship awards include 247 new scholarships for high school seniors beginning college this fall: 145 one-time awards and 102 renewable awards that will support students throughout their college careers. In addition, the Foundation made renewable scholarship payments to 241 students already enrolled in college.

The Foundation’s scholarship program has grown since its founding in 1978 and now includes 150 scholarship funds, the largest of which include the Sumner B. Tilton Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Mary T. Cocaine Scholarship Fund, and the recently established Becker Scholarship Fund. 

Thanks to generous donors who have invested in educational opportunities, the Foundation's average awards have increased to $2,000 for one-time scholarships and $12,000 for renewable scholarships, providing meaningful support as students pursue higher education.

The largest scholarship award in the Foundation’s history was made this year through the Becker Scholarship Fund: $104,000 for Michael Sobolewski to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Other Becker Scholarship recipients that chose to attend Assumption University will benefit from the institution’s matching partnership with the Foundation. Assumption will match Aedan Gonzalez’s $68,000 Becker Scholarship with up to $5,000 per year, bringing his total award to $88,000. Vanessa Biddy received a $32,550 Grace S. Hampel Becker Scholarship, designated for a Hoosac Valley High School student attending college in Worcester County. Through the same partnership, her total award will increase to $52,550.

"These scholarships represent the hopes and aspirations of generations of donors who believe deeply in the potential of local students." says Pete Dunn, President & CEO of Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Another of Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s largest scholarship funds, the Harold R. Jensen Memorial Scholarship, supported more than a dozen students this year, including Nathan Lopez of Worcester. Inspired by his younger sister’s experience with a heart condition and multiple surgeries, Nathan plans to study biology at Boston University and pursue a career in cardiology, with the goal of providing other families with the care and support his family received. 

New scholarship awards were distributed to students from 66 cities and towns in Worcester County and beyond. More than two-thirds of incoming college students will attend school in Massachusetts, including 44 who will enroll at institutions in Worcester County. Popular destinations include UMass Amherst, Worcester State University, UMass Lowell, Assumption University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Earlier this year, Greater Worcester Community Foundation announced the creation of a Scholarship Emergency Fund for scholarship recipients. Even with scholarships in place, unexpected financial challenges can disrupt a student's education. The fund will help recipients address those barriers and stay on track toward their degree. The Foundation is partnering with Scholarship America to administer the program and expects the fund to become available by the end of the year.

Learn More

Complete details about scholarship opportunities are available at https://greaterworcester.org/for-students/scholarships-overview. The 2026 Scholarship Yearbook, featuring all 488 recipients, is now available for download.