The Manton Scholars Program supports students who are planning to pursue higher education and whose families have been significantly and negatively affected by the death or serious illness/incapacitation of a primary income earner or immediate family member

Open to any student who meets the eligibility requirements listed below and who has been negatively impacted by the death or serious illness/incapacitation of an immediate family member.

The Manton Scholars Program supports students who are planning to pursue higher education and whose families have been significantly and negatively affected by the death or serious illness/incapacitation of a primary income earner or immediate family member. Scholars selected into the program will be eligible for up to four years of scholarship support at a two- or four-year accredited college or university, or a trade school with a demonstrated track record of successfully placing graduates in long-term jobs. Schools must be in the US or Canada. Eligible applicants to this program are entering or currently enrolled in undergraduate school. Scholarships will be up to $30,000 annually. Award size is based on unmet financial need.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Eligible students must either: (1) attend school in or be residents of one of these Massachusetts towns for the last three years or more: Carlisle, Concord, Dover, Fall River, Maynard, Medway, Natick, Sherborn, Wayland, Westport; (2) be enrolled for the last three years at one of these schools: Dana Hall School, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Groton School, St. Mark’s School, or Worcester Technical High School; (3) be a child of a faculty or staff (full or part-time) of a private or public high school in the listed towns or at one of the listed schools. Parents must have/had a length of employment of 3 or more years at the school.
  • Family’s financial situation has been significantly and negatively affected by the death or serious illness/incapacitation of a primary wage earner or immediate family member (e.g., parent/caregiver, sibling). Qualifying circumstances include those that are sudden, unexpected, and health-related, such as cancer, stroke, brain injury, or severe mental illness. Exclusions include chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, etc.), developmental disabilities (e.g., autism), and substance abuse.
  • Must be a US citizen or non-citizen eligible to receive federal financial aid.
  • Substantial unmet need as determined by college financial aid award letter or other documents (applicants will likely not know this at time of application).
  • Must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Note: Students who are already enrolled in an eligible post-secondary institution may apply if they meet all of the other eligibility criteria.