Investing in the Power of Higher Education
$4 million
in scholarships awarded
$550,000+
in education need
700+
Graduates
50+
Year History
The Frederick Gunn School has recognized the achievements and contributions of the Washington Scholarship Fund, bestowing the 2022 Friend of the Green Award on the organization. Established in 2010, this award is presented annually by the school to honor an individual or group that has contributed to the well-being of the town of Washington through their volunteer efforts. Steven Cornell, President of the Washington Scholarship Fund, states that “The Washington Scholarship Fund has been quietly transforming lives by providing vital financial support to local students who aspire to continue their education by attending college.” The non-profit organization is run by a volunteer board and has granted more than $4 million in scholarships to more than 700 local students for over a half century. As Steven Cornell explains, “The awards are given to recipients based on financial need and the Washington Scholarship Fund relies on the generous support of the community to allow deserving students to pursue the next chapter in their life. We are very grateful to be recognized with this year’s Friend of the Green Award.”
The Washington Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to seniors and graduates from Shepaug Valley High School and other secondary schools who have been residents of Washington, Washington Depot, Marbledale and New Preston for a minimum of two years, for their college educations. The awards are given to recipients based on financial need. Prior to 2013, the Scholarship Fund was operated as the Washington Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation, an affiliate of Scholarship America® and its Dollars for Scholars program. Through the Washington Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation, almost two million dollars was awarded to our local students.
The WSF Awards Committee reviews applications each spring and scholarships are announced in June. Scholarship applications are available from the Shepaug Valley High School Guidance Office or by downloading here.
We are pleased to announce that the Washington Scholarship Fund has been granted tax exemption under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The WSF has been classified as a public charity and all of your donations to it since January 25, 2013, our date of incorporation, are deductible under section 170 of the Code.