The Friends has seen high value in the interaction of young and caring citizens with our senior citizens of Eastham. These interactions benefit both the students and senior citizens. For the student, this volunteer work may be the required community service, may enhance skills, and be a resume builder for future work or college admission. Further, helping others is an emotional benefit for the student. The senior citizen benefits vastly by just the interaction with a young person on top of the help for technology or other assistance. The Friends has created a scholarship fund to encourage interaction between the senior citizens of Eastham and younger members of our community.

Scholarship Amount

The scholarship is $2,000 which can be altered by the Committee and approved by the Friends Board of Directors.  The $2,000 can be split into smaller amounts if granted to multiple students.  Scholarships are granted and paid within 15 business days of the candidate’s high school graduation.  Scholarships will usually be granted and paid at the Friends sponsored volunteer luncheon held annually in May or June.  The scholarship may not be granted every year if there are no eligible candidates.  Scholarships will not be granted to the same person in multiple years.

Candidates for Scholarships

Candidates for the scholarship are graduating senior students in good standing from Nauset Regional High School or Cape Cod Regional Technical High School and do not have to be residents of Eastham.

Candidates must have completed at least 200 hours of meaningful volunteer service, with documentation confirming these hours, directly assisting Eastham residents aged 59 and older at the Eastham Senior Center or other Eastham venues.  Examples of meaningful activities include teaching or leading classes, delivering and serving meals, providing one-on-one assistance with technology or other support to promote the health and well-being of Eastham’s senior citizens. Helping a relative is not considered applicable volunteer work for this scholarship.

An acceptable form of documentation includes a signed letter from the party receiving the volunteer services, confirming the number of hours completed, that the work was performed for Eastham residents aged 59 and older, describing the scope of the project, and specifying the timeframe the volunteer work occurred.

Candidates must be accepted and plan to attend an accredited college, university or trade school within 9 months following high school graduation.  If the candidate does not attend the planned school or its equivalent within the time frame, the scholarship may be rescinded and the funds returned to the FECOA immediately upon written request from the Scholarship Committee.

Some work may require the individual to complete a CORI/background check.

Selection Process

The Friends Scholarship Committee and Senior Center Director will contact the principals of Nauset Regional High School and Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, meet with appropriate school staff to promote this opportunity and recruit interested students to volunteer at the Eastham Senior Center or other Eastham venues.  While students are encouraged to volunteer at the Eastham Council on Aging, eligible volunteer service may also be completed at other organizations that support the well-being of Eastham residents aged 59 and older. The Committee will consider candidates who have made significant contributions to Eastham’s senior citizens who may be attending college or technical school after taking a break after high school. 

Students will be monitored for time volunteered, commitment to the well being of Eastham senior citizens and quality of work.

Student volunteers will be sent an application for the Friends Scholarship by February 1 of the award year.  The application must be completed by April 1st of the award year and the Scholarship Committee will conduct interviews by May 1st and submit recommendations to the Friends Board by May 15th with award at the annual volunteer luncheon. 

Post Award

The Scholarship Committee may request a copy of the student’s grades from the first semester of college or trade school.  Failing grades may trigger a return of the scholarship award.  Mitigating circumstances will be considered.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS, PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE TO:

INFO@FRIENDSOFEASTHAMCOA.ORG