Scholarships Abound If You Know Where to Look

As seniors put the finishing touches on their college applications, financing an education is a significant consideration. Many Westfield organizations offer scholarships to help defray the cost. 

Close communication with a school’s guidance office and the counseling staff is a must for scholarship seekers as applications often require recommendations, essays, and interviews, and have strict deadlines.

Many local scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding merit and are paid directly to the institution that the student plans to attend.

In 2010, the distributed $92,000 to 23 high school students from Westfield. The requirements for their scholarship include outstanding service to the community and financial need. 

In addition to the Rotary Club, the College Women’s Club of Westfield, the of Westfield, theof Westfield, the of Westfield, and the all offer college scholarships to students.

“The Westfield Jaycees is proud to offer scholarships to deserving students," said David Tepp, Treasurer and Vice President of the organizatin. "We coordinate our efforts with each high school; thus, scholarship applications are subject to any deadline that is pre-determined by the school. The amount of each scholarship can vary but is typically around $1,000. The criterion for each award includes academic performance, community service, and financial need.” 

The Westfield Jaycees conducts numerous fund-raising events throughout the year to provide assistance to those in need. The organization's objective is to provide relief to those students who dedicate themselves academically and recognize the importance of supporting their community.

The also supports the students of Westfield and surrounding towns with numerous scholarships that have been established by community members.

The Edmund K. Faltermayer Scholarship was established through the Foundation in 2003 by the family and friends of the late Faltermayer, a noted journalist and writer. The fund provides an annual scholarship to a journalism student at .  

The Westfield Foundation also offers two scholarships to students every year. These scholarships, totaling $10,000 over four years, are given based on merit and need.

Alyssa Hatch graduated from Westfield High School in 2011 and received the John S. and Helen Bell McMartin Award and J. Isabella Dodds Scholarship from the Westfield Foundation.

She attends Tufts University where she studies engineering and stays busy running cross country and tutoring at a local housing project. 

“Finding out that I had received the Westfield Foundation scholarships was honestly one of the best moments of the end of senior year for me," she said. "I was surprised and honored when Principal Mr. Peter Renwick informed me that I had been nominated, and was even more so when I found out that I had actually received it.

"It felt great to know that all of the effort I put into high school was appreciated, and in such a big way. There was also a huge sense of relief knowing that the financial stress of paying for college would be alleviated that much more. Also, knowing that the Foundation chose me to receive this award has inspired me to work as hard as possible to make myself a more educated person and more active citizen. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend this school."          

Hatch offered advice to students who seek scholarships.

“I would say to start searching early on in the process. One mistake I made was waiting until after I heard back from colleges (in early April) to start searching for scholarships, which caused a sort of time-crunch during the last few months of senior year. Also, don't be afraid to think outside of the box and search for scholarship opportunities based on your specific activities or interests.”

Area scholarships are often awarded to students who plan to study specific disciplines in their college careers. The Friends of the has offered the “Future Librarian” scholarship for persons wishing to pursue a career in library science.

The supports college music scholarships for gifted music students.

Scholarships are also available to students because of their parent’s employment. The Two Hundred Club of Union County awards scholarships for college bound seniors to children of active police and firefighters in Union County.

Whatever a student’s talents or interests are, it is worth the extra time and effort to seek a scholarship from benevolent local organizations. Awards can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and can help a great deal to defray the cost of college expenses.