Barbara Perley Scholarship Fund

Funder: The Boxford Public Library and the Perley Scholarship Funds, Inc. (MA, US)

Background: Perley, a long-time Boxford resident who held many town government positions including Town Accountant, Assistant Assessor, and Assistant Town Clerk. The fund was created to fulfill her wishes to provide financial aid to students pursuing post-secondary education.

Geographic Scope

• Restricted to: Boxford, Massachusetts residents only
• Applicant must be a resident of Boxford with no plans for family to move out of town during the upcoming school year

Purpose & Focus

• Provide financial aid to students pursuing college, vocational, technical, or trade school education
• Support deserving students with demonstrated financial need and academic ability
• Also provides annual financial support to the Boxford Town Library for publications, e-books, music downloads, and other media

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a Boxford resident
• Must be graduating from secondary school OR in good standing in college at completion of present school year
• Must be at least 16 years old but not more than 22 years old when initial award is made
• Must demonstrate:
  • Good standing in school
  • Financial need
  • Academic ability
  • Recognition for school and community service
  • Deserving character
  • Boxford residency (length of residency considered)
• No applicant shall be denied based on gender, race, religion, physical handicap, sexual orientation, or country of origin

Award Structure

• Up to 5 new scholarships awarded annually
• Up to 16 total Boxford students funded each year (includes renewal recipients)
• Awards are for one school year
• Recipients may reapply for up to 4 years of undergraduate study
• Payments made twice yearly (half per term)
• Checks sent to student's Boxford home address

Organization Details

• Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, also described under section 509(a)(3)
• Board Members: Carole Davis, Caroline Foster, Kim Holliday, Karen Hussey, Denise Kivela, Anita Korzeniewski, Sarah McKenzie, Marci Miller, Terri Teleen, Barbara Was, Meredith Winchell, Claudia Worth
• Mailing Address: Barbara Perley Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 82, Boxford, MA 01921
• Website: barbaraperleyscholarship.org

Initial Application

1. Complete the online application by clicking the APPLICATION box on the website
2. Submission deadline: March 15 (annually)
3. Required documentation:
   • Complete application form with all required fields
   • Evidence of good standing in school (transcripts/grades)
   • Documentation of financial need
   • Letters of recommendation
   • All supporting materials must be included for application to be considered

Review & Interview Process

1. Board reviews applications for completeness and eligibility
2. Finalists are interviewed in April
3. Award recipients announced:
   • At Class Night for Masconomet students
   • Via mail in early June for others

Acceptance & Documentation Requirements

1. Recipients receive Acceptance Form detailing award requirements
2. Signed Acceptance Form must be returned before start of Fall Term
3. Recipients must agree to provide:
   • Copies of college tuition statements for each semester
   • Previous semester's grades
   • Submission deadline: October 15 for fall term and March 15 for spring term (or award may be forfeited)
   • Submission method: Electronic or mail to P.O. Box 82, Boxford, MA 01921

Renewal Process

1. Students continuing to meet eligibility requirements may reapply
2. Renewal applications sent in January
3. Deadline: March 15 (must be returned by mail)
4. Renewal Acceptance Form available for download

Important Notes

• Board is not responsible for reminding recipients of submission deadlines
• All required documentation must be complete; incomplete applications will not be considered