Investing in access to higher education for local teens

The Atkinson Scholarship Program was established in 1995 to recognize local high school seniors with financial need, academic promise and the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to society.

The program is named for Sudbury Foundation founders Herbert and Esther Atkinson who believed strongly in giving back to the community and were particularly interested in supporting the town’s young people.

The program offers eligible students a maximum of $5,000 per year in scholarship assistance for approved post-secondary and vocational training. Up to 15 new awards are made each year. Scholarship recipients may reapply for the Atkinson Scholarship annually during their undergraduate education. Subsequent awards are based on appropriate academic performance and continued financial need.

Eligibility Guidelines

You are eligible to apply for the Atkinson Scholarship if you are a high school senior who is planning to attend an accredited two or four-year college or university, or an approved post-secondary vocational/professional development program.

In addition, you must be:

• A Sudbury resident or the dependent of a Sudbury resident, OR
• Enrolled at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LS), OR
• The dependent of a full-time Town of Sudbury or LS employee (employed for minimum of one year).

Candidates must meet a certain threshold of financial need. Please click here for information on determining financial need. Applicants are then selected based on past academic performance and future potential as well as the desire and ability to contribute to society through community service, the advancement of a field of interest, or the sharing of a skill or talent.

Applying for an Atkinson Scholarship

Information Required to Complete This Online Application

• Your family information including home address(es), emails, phone numbers, and siblings’ grades and ages.
• High School Transcript (If you’re an LS student, we’ll request your transcript from the LS Registrar’s office. You do not need to provide it.)
• List of extracurricular activities since 9th grade.
• List of work experiences since 9th grade.
• Two essays:
  • A 100 to 300-word essay describing your past achievements, community involvements, plans for college and beyond.
  • Essay written for one of your college applications.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Copy of 1040 Tax Returns (parents).
• Copy of W-2 forms (parents).
• Copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report that includes Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Optional: Resume.

The deadline to submit an application for the 2023-2024 school year has passed. The online application for the 2024-2025 school year will be available in November 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thoughts on Financial Need

Scholarship Resources

• Act Inc.
• FastWeb
• Lincoln-Sudbury Scholarship Fund
• Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
• James Lavoie Scholarship/Middlesex Savings Bank
• The SmartStudent® Guide to Financial Aid

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Jenum