Berkshire Bank Announces 2015 Scholarship Awards Program
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has announced it will honor 30 high-school seniors in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont through its annual scholarship awards program.
The bank will award $45,000 in total scholarship dollars to students who have demonstrated community service through their volunteer efforts, have been successful academically, and demonstrate a financial need. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a community with a Berkshire Bank office or in a community primarily served by Berkshire Bank.
Lori Gazzillo, director of Berkshire Bank Foundation, said the scholarship program has grown in popularity each year. “We believe that one of life’s most exciting moments is going to college, and Berkshire Bank wants to do our part to help make college more affordable for students in need. This program exemplifies our support of education and commitment to promoting volunteerism in our communities. Each year, our employees rally around this program, volunteering their time to review the hundreds of applications to help select the recipients.”
Through the program, 30 $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to high-school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college in the fall. Applications are evaluated based on their record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing, and financial need. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and a family household income under $75,000 to be eligible to apply. Students must apply online by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
An independent team of bank employee volunteers will review all applications and select this year’s winners. Scholarships will be awarded in the regions where Berkshire Bank branches are located, with 14 available in Massachusetts, 11 in New York, two in Connecticut, and three in Vermont.
Students can apply online at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships. Additional information about this year’s program can be obtained on the bank’s website or by contacting the Berkshire Bank Foundation at [email protected].
