Barbara Perley Scholarship Fund

Barbara Perley Scholarship Fund

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

Background: Established in 1989 as a bequest from the will of Barbara C. 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
• Contact: barbaraperleyscholarship@gmail.com
• Mailing Address: Barbara Perley Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 82, Boxford, MA 01921
• Website: barbaraperleyscholarship.org