How much funding does AWPL Foundation College Scholarship provide?

AWPL Foundation College Scholarship provides $1,000 per award (2 scholarships available) in funding.

AWPL Foundation College Scholarship

ALBERT WISNER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Foundation Annual Grants for Education Grants for K-12 Schools

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Funding Amount

$1,000 per award (2 scholarships available)

Deadline

Closed

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

AWPL Foundation College Scholarship

Status: Active - 20th annual competition (as of 2026)

Geographic Scope: Warwick Valley Central School District (WVCSD), New York

Award Amount: $1,000 per recipient (2 scholarships awarded annually)

Eligibility:

High school seniors who reside in the Warwick Valley Central School District

Residency requirement only; applicants need not attend Warwick Valley High School (can be homeschooled or attend another high school)

Program Overview:
The Albert Wisner Public Library Foundation has awarded college scholarships through an annual essay writing competition since 2007. The competition is sponsored by Warwick residents Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes, who have generously sponsored the scholarships since their inception.

Essay Requirements:

Maximum 2,000 words

Essay topic varies by year (recent topics have included: "How I can spend my life in Warwick and make a positive impact, locally or globally"; "The role of a public library in an increasingly global and digitized society"; "How the recent global economic downturn has influenced my college and career plans"; "The importance of compassionate behavior in the exercise of free speech")

Judging based on: responsiveness to topic, overall literacy and grammatical accuracy, relevance to current events and/or community concerns in the Warwick area, and other criteria as judges determine appropriate

Contact Information:

Albert Wisner Public Library

One McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990

Phone: (845) 986-1047

Circulation Desk: ext. 3

Help Desk: ext. 4

Library Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Obtain Essay Topic and Guidelines
- Click on essay topic and guidelines link on the AWPL Foundation College Scholarship page
- Current year's topic and instructions will be provided

2. Prepare Essay
- Write essay not to exceed 2,000 words
- Address the specified essay topic
- Do NOT include any information that identifies the writer (to ensure fair, anonymous judging)

3. Prepare Submission Materials
- Print 6 copies of the essay
- Prepare a cover sheet showing:
- Your name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Note: Cover sheet should be the only identifying document; essays themselves must remain anonymous

4. Submit to Library
- Bring 6 printed copies of essay and cover sheet to Kathleen Koopman at the Circulation Desk
- Location: Albert Wisner Public Library, One McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990

5. Deadline
- Submit by 5:00 PM on the specified deadline date (typically in April; for 2026 it is April 8)
- The deadline is firm and final — no extensions

6. Award Announcement
- Winning essays will be announced and posted on the library's website
- Two scholarship recipients will be selected by judges
- Awards presented by Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes (sponsors)

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