What are the criteria for scholarship eligibility?
Once eligibility is established, the applicant is considered for one of the many available scholarships.
The Lexington Scholarship Committee disburses money generated from a large number of funds that are invested by Lexington's Trustees of the Public Trust. Some of the money comes from "named" funds, and the rest comes from the general Lexington Scholarship Fund.
Named funds are created by individuals to honor or memorialize a person or group, and are sometimes established with specific guidelines for disbursement; guidelines might be anything from having attended a particular elementary school to majoring in a specific field. Undergraduate applicants need only fill out one application, and the committee will match the applicant with an appropriate scholarship. The amount of the student's award will be the same, no matter which scholarship the student receives. No applicant will receive more than one scholarship per year. The graduate application is separate.
- Except for the Phyllis E. Richardson scholarship, applicants must have demonstrated financial need
- Applicants must be Lexington residents at the time of their graduation from Lexington High School, Minuteman High School or Lexington Christian Academy
- Scholarships are to be applied to undergraduate education in certificate programs, two-year degree programs, and four-year degree programs
- There is one scholarship for an undergraduate or graduate student
- Students may reapply for a scholarship during their years of undergraduate education (scholarships are not automatically renewed)
Once eligibility is established, the applicant is considered for one of the many available scholarships.
The Lexington Scholarship Committee disburses money generated from a large number of funds that are invested by Lexington's Trustees of the Public Trust. Some of the money comes from "named" funds, and the rest comes from the general Lexington Scholarship Fund.
Named funds are created by individuals to honor or memorialize a person or group, and are sometimes established with specific guidelines for disbursement; guidelines might be anything from having attended a particular elementary school to majoring in a specific field. Undergraduate applicants need only fill out one application, and the committee will match the applicant with an appropriate scholarship. The amount of the student's award will be the same, no matter which scholarship the student receives. No applicant will receive more than one scholarship per year. The graduate application is separate.
NOTE: there are three scholarships with very specific criteria for eligibility:
George O. Smith Scholarship
The student's mother must have been a Lexington resident when the student was born, and the student must be majoring in one of the following fields: Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Astronomy, Engineering
Emily and Frank Smiddy Scholarship
Students must intend to study in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math) upon entering their first year of college. This scholarship has the following additional requirements:
Phyllis E. Richardson Scholarship
Student must have graduated from Lexington High School and attended a Lexington Middle School. Student must study Teaching, Nursing or STEM.
George O. Smith Scholarship
The student's mother must have been a Lexington resident when the student was born, and the student must be majoring in one of the following fields: Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Astronomy, Engineering
Emily and Frank Smiddy Scholarship
Students must intend to study in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math) upon entering their first year of college. This scholarship has the following additional requirements:
- Two letters of reference from teachers, guidance counselors or professors
- Student essay on your academic progress and career plans
- Student must keep all receipts and a log indicating how the scholarship money was spent
Phyllis E. Richardson Scholarship
Student must have graduated from Lexington High School and attended a Lexington Middle School. Student must study Teaching, Nursing or STEM.