Edwards Scholarship Fund: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Application

The Edwards Scholarship Fund, a beacon of opportunity for Boston students since 1939, offers significant financial assistance to those pursuing higher education. Established by Grace M. Edwards, a lifelong Boston resident, the fund aims to foster good citizenship through education, providing college scholarships to deserving men and women with financial need, good character, and academic ability. This article provides a detailed overview of the Edwards Scholarship Fund, its requirements, and the application process.

The Legacy of Grace M. Edwards

The Edwards Scholarship Fund was established in 1939 by Grace M. Edwards, a lifelong resident of Boston. Her vision was to further the development of good citizenship through education by offering college scholarships to men and women of good character and ability who are in need of financial assistance. Her Scholarship has helped thousands of students over the years. Grace Edwards hoped that recipients of her Scholarship would repay the Fund when they were established in their professions and able to do so. The Scholarship is gift money, not a loan, and repayment is voluntary. Grace Edwards hoped that the Fund would grow from repayments, enabling even more future students to receive the benefit of the Scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Edwards Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria related to residency, academic standing, and financial need. These requirements ensure that the scholarship supports Boston students who demonstrate both potential and need.

Residency Requirement

Applicants must reside in the City of Boston from at least the start of their junior year in high school. Boston encompasses a diverse range of neighborhoods, including:

Allston
Back Bay
Bay Village/South Cove
Beacon Hill
Brighton
Charlestown
Chinatown/Leather District
Dorchester
Downtown/Financial District
East Boston
Fenway/Kenmore
Hyde Park
Jamaica Plain
Mattapan
Mission Hill
North End
Roslindale
Roxbury
South Boston
South End
West End
West Roxbury

Academic Requirements

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED prior to the start of their first semester in college. Additionally, they must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. Colleges and universities attended must be regionally accredited and offer recognized degrees. Students attending community college in Massachusetts are ineligible, as in-state community colleges are free to attend for Massachusetts residents. Students transferring out of community college to a four-year college may apply.

Financial Need

Applicants must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the Edwards Scholarship. The scholarship is a “gap scholarship,” meaning it can cover the difference between the amount of financial aid your college is awarding you and the amount it has determined your family can pay.

Application Process

The application process for the Edwards Scholarship involves submitting several documents and essays through an online portal. The application portal opens March 1 for all applicants. Students can apply to be first-time recipients while they are in high school or college. High school applicants receive priority.

Required Documents for First-Time High School Applicants

First-time high school applicants must submit the following documents:

Essay: A personal essay is a critical component of the application. For help writing the essay component of this scholarship application, check out our guides How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay and How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples).
Transcript: An official high school transcript.
Recommendation: A letter of recommendation from their Guidance Counselor. We will notify your counselor directly with a link to submit your letter of recommendation and transcript online. Letters of Recommendation: Current high school students applying for a scholarship should ask their school counselor to submit a recommendation.
FAFSA Submission Summary: A copy of their processed FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year, all pages.
Financial Aid Package (CFA): A copy of the financial aid package offered by the college that they will attend in the fall.

Additionally, high school applicants should include:

Your college admissions essay
To the extent not covered in your college admissions essay, a description of meaningful parts of your high school experience, including academics, extracurriculars, employment, awards and honors, and/or community service (max 250 words)
To the extent not covered in the prior essays, how you would help “pay it forward” after graduation to help your community become stronger (max 250 words)
Any special circumstances such as unemployment, illness, tuition expenses, support paid on behalf of family members (example, grandparents) who are not tax dependents, etc.

Required Documents for First-Time College Applicants

First-time college applicants must submit:

Essay: A personal essay. For help writing the essay component of this scholarship application, check out our guides How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay and How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples).
FAFSA Submission Summary: A copy of their processed FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year, all pages.
Financial Aid Package (CFA): A copy of the financial aid package offered by the college that they will attend in the fall.
Transcript: Their transcript through the first semester of this academic year.

Renewal Application

Students must re-apply for the scholarship each year. The Renewal Application is for current or past recipients of the Scholarship who wish to re-apply. Renewal applicants must submit:

A description of meaningful parts of your college experience, including academics, extracurriculars, employment, awards and honors, and/or community service (max 250 words)
To the extent not covered in the prior essay, how you would help “pay it forward” after graduation to help your community become stronger (max 250 words)
Any special circumstances such as unemployment, illness, tuition expenses, support paid on behalf of family members (example, grandparents) who are not tax dependents, etc. (max 250 words)
Your most recent transcript
FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year, including your Student Aid Index (SAI)
Financial Aid Package from your college for the upcoming year.

Submission Process

Applications must be submitted via the GoApply online portal linked below. Scholarship applicants MUST register as “Individuals.” Please review this guide on how to register.

Scholarship Benefits and Usage

Students can receive the Edwards Scholarship for four years of undergraduate education. The Edwards Scholarship is a “gap scholarship,” meaning it can cover the difference between the amount of financial aid your college is awarding you and the amount it has determined your family can pay. The scholarship is paid directly to your school and can be applied to tuition, on-campus housing, on-campus meal plans, or, in some cases, to reduce self-help (work-study, certain loans). Please review your college’s policies on external scholarships to understand how a scholarship might impact your financial aid package and to ensure it will not reduce your school-awarded aid.

Important Dates and Deadlines

The application portal opens March 1 for all applicants.
The Edwards Scholarship winner will be announced: July 15, 2025.
This scholarship will reopen in March 2026.

Supporting the Edwards Scholarship Fund

Donations to the Fund complete the circle of giving. We also have donors who are not past recipients of the Scholarship but who wish to support students working hard to achieve their educational goals. The Edwards Scholarship Fund is an eligible charity under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS tax code. Donations are tax deductible and are acknowledged in writing by the Fund. We accept donations made by payroll deduction and matching funds from the donor's place of employment. Most donations are made in the form of a check. We cannot accept cash or online credit card payments. Donations made through an employer's payroll deduction plan can be deposited electronically.

Read also: Edwards' Transition to EuroLeague

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