The Sudbury Foundation

Investing in People, Place & Possibility

The Atkinson Scholarship Program

Investing in access to higher education for local teens

The 2023 Atkinson Scholarship Program application is now available. The deadline is February 1, 2023.

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.

Deadline: The deadline to submit your application is February 1, 2023.

To Apply: Click “Apply Here” below.

You will be asked to create a free account in our Scholarship portal. Be sure to keep the logon information for your records. This is the email address we will use to communicate with you if we have questions or need to contact you about your application. Use an email address that you will continue to use after the school year ends. Do not use your LS email address.

Tips

  • Read all instructions thoroughly.
  • Proofread your application, particularly the email addresses of those from whom you will request letters of recommendation.
  • If you would like additional information about applying, please refer to the Guide to Completing Your Scholarship Application for detailed instructions.
  • We strongly encourage you to complete your application early (at least a week in advance).
  • Please contact us at 978-443-0849 if you have any questions or would prefer to submit your entire application (or part of your application) to us via mail rather than online.
Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Thoughts on Financial Need

Scholarship Resources

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Jenum

The Atkinson Scholarship Program