LUDLOW — The Friends of the Ludlow Senior Center have a new scholarship program for graduating high school seniors that reside in Ludlow. They are offering two $2,000 awards for students going on to a four-year school and one $1,000 award to a student going on to a two-year school.
“This is our first year of doing this program,” said President Kathy Green. “It’s a great opportunity for us to give something back to the community and help students defray the cost of higher education.”
The Friends of the Ludlow Senior Center is a nonprofit in Ludlow that raises money to support programs at the Senior Center and the community. At one of the organization’s monthly meetings, one of its members had suggested that the group could use some of their money and offer a scholarship to help a high school senior. Even though their organization is mostly focused on senior citizens, the Friends still try to do things for all the generations in town. Members thought a scholarship program for the high school seniors would be a nice way to get people thinking about the Senior Center outside of just seniors. Candidates must be 2024 graduating high school seniors who reside in Ludlow. They must be planning to attend a four-year or two-year accredited postsecondary school in the 2024-2025 school year taking at least 12 credit hours per semester, as well as interested in pursuing a degree in a senior citizen related discipline. This includes, but is not limited to health care, social work, gerontology, adult development, health education and counseling/psychology.
The Friends will collect all the applications and review the responses. They will select three candidates from those that are qualified. If they need to get more information, the Friends will contact students either for a phone interview or to follow up on any missing information that they might require.
“We would like to make this an annual event,” said Green. “Because it’s our first year, we’re learning a little bit about the process and how it will work. We’re hoping that we’ll have good success and if we do, we’ll definitely do it next year.”
Applications are available at Ludlow High School Guidance Office (500 Chapin St.), the Ludlow Senior Center Front Desk (228 State St.) during business hours — Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday until 7 p.m. — and their website, www.friendsoftheludlowseniorcenter.com.
All completed applications must be postmarked no later than April 2.
