Screening Process

Each application is screened on the basis of financial need, extra-curricular activities, scholastic rating and the student's career goals and plans for colleges. We ensure a conscientious, confidential and fair assessment of each application.

Amount of Awards

In general, award amounts are determined by the rating given by the screening committee, based on the need of the applicant and the quality of the application. In 2008, 12% of the recipients were awarded more than $1000; 18% received awards between $701 and $1000;  19% received awards between $501 and $700; 27% received awards between $301 and $500; and 24% received $300 or less. Some of the awards under $300 were merit awards of $250.

Notification & Disbursement of Funds

Most graduating high school students are notified at their school’s award night or graduation ceremony. All recipients are notified by the end of June. Scholarship winners receive a College Certification and Request for Disbursement form which must be completed by their college. Upon receipt of the completed form, the Foundation forwards a check to the college, to be applied to the student’s account and disbursed as half for each semester. Students receiving awards of $300 or less may be reimbursed directly by sending the Foundation validation (copy of cancelled checks or receipts) that college-related expenses have been paid.

Maximizing Award Dollars

Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation is a Dollars for Scholars Chapter of Scholarship America, a national, non-profit, student aid service organization. Access to the Dollars for Scholar's Collegiate Partners Program allows the donors' dollars to be maximized and the college grant portion of the students' aid packages to be protected. Approximately 400 colleges, universities and post-secondary schools in the United States that belong to this program agree not to reduce their grant aid to a LRSF scholarship recipient. These local scholarship funds are applied to the unmet need remaining in the financial aid package. If no unmet need exists, up to $1,000 of the award is used to adjust the "self-help" portion of the aid package, with preference given to reducing loans or work-study grants. Some colleges agree to match outside scholarships. Students whose colleges participate in the Dollars for Scholars Matching Award Program receive a special form to apply for this additional grant.

*Specific Donor Exceptions

Belknap County Sportsmen's Association - Belknap County, NH residents, majoring in wildlife conservation, forestry conservation, renewable natural resources, environmental conservation, fisheries, conservation biology, ecology, animal management, animal behavior and conservation, environmental science, fish management, land management, earth science, environmental education, natural history & ecology, river conservation, resource conservation, species and ecosystem conservation.

Chamberlain Memorial Scholarship – Prospect Mountain High School graduating seniors selected by principal and guidance office. Preference for needy students interested in Athletics, Art, Medicine, Science, Music or Education.  LRSF application not required – check with PMHS. 

J. Bart & Theresa Conners Memorial - Preference for students majoring in energy, or heating related fields; also eligible are family members affiliated with the Lakes Region Petroleum Board of Trade

James R. Cooper Quality Assurance Memorial - Cooper Products family members included.

Dodge Family Memorial – For members of St. Mary’s Church of Assumption in Tilton – LRSF application not required.  Contact pastor.

John T. Dodge Memorial – WRHS student (Tilton or Northfield resident).  Preference to a person pursuing a career dedicated to helping the mentally ill.  LRSF application not required.  Contact WRHS guidance dept.

Bruce Fitzpatrick Memorial - Graduates of Winnisquam Regional High School, NH

Lochmere Community Association - Lochmere, NH residents who are graduates of Belmont High School or Winnisquam Regional High School.

Mark Moses Memorial -  Graduates of Winnisquam Regional High School, NH (Engineering major preference)

John F. Mullen Memorial -  Laconia or Gilford resident graduating from Laconia High School, Gilford High School, Sant Bani School, Laconia Christian School, Bishop Brady High School, New Hampton School, or Holderness School.  Applicants must complete an essay and special application form in addition to the LRSF application.  Essay must be around 500 words describing an outdoor experience and tell why this is important.  Contact LRSF for further instructions. 

Opechee Garden Club - Residents of the greater Lakes Region in NH majoring in horticulture, landscaping, botany, environmental conservation or agriculture.

Chet Perkins Memorial - College sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate students majoring in library science, finance or business with residency in the Laconia Savings Bank marketing area.

Larry Richardson Memorial & Simone Richardson Memorial - Laconia, NH Police Department employees or their family members.  Larry Richardson Memorial - male student.  Simone Richardson Memorial - female student.

Ruth & Willard Rollins Fund – Apply through PMHS guidance department. 

James P. Rogers Fund - College sophomores, juniors or seniors majoring in forestry; Sanbornton, NH residents included

 

St. James Church Award - Members of St. James Church, Laconia, NH, who must also complete a cover sheet obtained from the church.

Annalee Thorndike Art Award – Lakes Region graduating seniors, planning to major in Art, must submit samples of their works to be judged at an annual competition (tba).  Awards are made on merit, not need.  Contact LRSF for further information.

Elsie McCarthy Willey Nursing Scholarship - Belknap County, NH residents studying nursing or medical-related subjects.

Chief Louis ”Bud” Wool Memorial Firefighter Award – Firefighter major. 

PCC Structurals (formerly:  Wyman-Gordon Investment Castings - Family members also eligible.