HERKIMER — The Herkimer Region College and Career Scholarship Foundation is accepting applications for 2023 scholarships. Each year, this local foundation awards about a dozen scholarships.
Eligible students for these scholarships include those majoring in technical education in their high school program and planning to enter college next year. The Scholarship Foundation also offers a Career Award for students who receive employment in a career and technical education field before or shortly after graduation and who incur costs as a result of this employment.
This award allows for reimbursement of up to $750 for industry-specific expenses such as workwear, personal protective equipment, tools, consumables, certifications, credentials and/or licenses.
Eligibility for the award includes nearly all students enrolled at the Technical Education Center at Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES. Adults who want to register with Herkimer BOCES for vocational training, such as practical nursing, are also eligible to participate.
Application forms are now available from school counselors in all Herkimer BOCES school districts, online to print at www.herkimer-boces.org/scholarshipfoundation, or by calling Shawn Maxson at Herkimer BOCES at 315-867-2023. Application deadline is March 1st.
Aside from the scholarships that students apply for, there are special incentive awards for those pursuing careers in specific fields. These special funds are administered by the Herkimer Region College and Career Scholarship Foundation and complement the general fund scholarships.
- The Paul A. Bouck Memorial Fund awards a scholarship to a student entering an agricultural, rural, or other related field of study.
- The Robert A. Moore Memorial Scholarship awards a scholarship to a student who has completed the Herkimer BOCES Visual Communications Media Arts program and plans to continue their education in radio and television broadcasting.
- The Special Nursing Fund provides a scholarship to a nursing student in need of financial assistance.
- The Mower Family Farm Fund awards a scholarship to a student pursuing a career in agriculture.
- The William E. Whitehill Jr. Scholarship awards a scholarship to a Technical Education Center student who demonstrates the greatest progress during the program.
- The Chris Brockway Memorial Scholarship Award awards a scholarship to a student who completes the Criminal Justice program.
- The Papaleo/Dady Family Scholarship awards a scholarship to a student who successfully completes a two-year technical education program at BOCES with a GPA of at least 85%.
- The Harry J. Enea Sr. Memorial Scholarship awards a scholarship to a student entering the field of coroner science.
- The Chester A. Scerra Memorial Scholarship awards a scholarship to a student pursuing an education in the field of culinary arts.
- The William E. Busacker Scholarship Award awards a scholarship to a student who has demonstrated leadership on causes that promote change in the status quo, compassion for the less fortunate, animal rights, or other issues.
- The Hummel Family Scholarship Award awards a scholarship to a student who has demonstrated a community-oriented focus throughout their high school career.
- The Herkimer Region College and Career Scholarship Foundation is unique in that all scholarships go to engineering degrees, said Sharon Baisley, executive chair of the Herkimer Region College and Career Scholarship Foundation.
Colleges attended by last year’s scholarship winners include Herkimer SUNY, Mohawk Valley Community College, Clarkson University, University of Wyoming and Alfred State College. Several nursing students have received scholarships to participate in the Herkimer BOCES Adult Practical Nursing Program.