Yawkey Scholars Program
FOR SENIORS
The Yawkey Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey, whose eight decades of quiet generosity supported individuals and families in the communities that were closest to their hearts – Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Having awarded more than $500 million to-date in charitable grants to organizations focused on Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife, Yawkey Foundation is committed to preserving and sustaining the charitable values of the Yawkeys by investing in impactful nonprofits providing resources, opportunity, and dignity to the vulnerable and underserved.
In 2005, the Yawkey Foundation established the Yawkey Scholars Program. This program is designed to make college affordable for talented, motivated, low-income, first-generation students from Massachusetts and Georgetown, South Carolina. It provides a four-year renewable tuition scholarship and other supports to help students achieve academically and go on to be successful and highly productive members of our community. This scholarship seeks to support students who have a significant gap (of at least $10,000 or more) in what it costs to attend college and the financial aid and scholarships the student receives. Since 2005, the Yawkey Scholars Program has provided more than $14 million in scholarship support to over 350 Scholars as they pursue a college education.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants from Massachusetts must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and permanent resident of Massachusetts
- Plan to attend a private college in Massachusetts
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or less and/or an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $25,000 or less
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (unweighted) on a scale of 4.0
- Be among the first-generation in their immediate family (not including siblings) to complete a 4-year college/university degree
Applicants from Georgetown County South Carolina must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and permanent resident of South Carolina
- Plan to attend a private or public college in South Carolina
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) $80,000 or less and/or an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) $15,000 or less
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (unweighted) on a scale of 4.0
- Be among the first-generation in your immediate family (not including siblings) to complete a 4-year college/university degree
Required Application Materials
- Complete application submitted online (Click here to access the Yawkey Scholars Program application.)
- Teacher or Guidance Counselor Recommendation
- Mentor letter of recommendation (e.g., coach, pastor, supervisor, staff person at a youth development program)
- College Essay (or an essay that provides a good understanding of who you are and what is important to you)
- High school transcript
- Financial aid award letter (if available)
- Pages 1 and 2 of parent(s)/guardian(s) most recent IRS 1040 Fax Forms
- If your parent(s)/guardian(s) do not plan to file taxes, please include a written explanation instead.
- Complete Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA
- This document will be approximately five pages long. You must submit the ENTIRE document.