The Winchester Scholarship Foundation is a voluntary, non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1945. The WSF is directed by an elected board of community volunteers who donate their time and effort.

Our mission is to provide financial assistance to deserving Winchester public school graduates who might otherwise be unable to afford college or post-graduate studies. In the 78 years since our founding, we have awarded nearly $10,542,527 million. In 2023-24 alone, we were able to award $551,300 to 118 students.

The Foundation is funded primarily by Winchester residents, organizations and businesses, many of whom have expressed their generosity by donating property or other assets in their wills, or by endowing a memorial or honorary scholarship in someone’s name. At present, WSF maintains a total of 56 endowed funds.

Applicants for scholarships need to meet the following criteria:

1. Graduation from Winchester Public Schools (or alternatives as noted on the application form).

2. Acceptance for further education at an accredited school or college

3. Demonstrated financial need

4. Demonstrated quality of character, including ambition, involvement in extracurricular activities, service to others, and good citizenship

Yes. Because individual family circumstances can change, and the amount of support you recieve from your school may fluctuate, the WSF requires that students apply each year.

Yes! The WSF has one endowed fund established to support medical graduate students exclusively, and the WSF will support graduate students in other fields with our general funds.

The student must visit with their student advisor or bursar at the beginning of each semester to ensure that the WSF is billed for each semester. It is the student's responsibility to assure the WSF funds are used completely. Every year some unused funds are returned to the WSF Treasury.

Scholarship applications are reviewed in complete confidence by a Scholarship Committee composed of members of our Board of Directors. The Committee works closely with the Guidance Office of the Winchester High School.

The amount of a recipient’s scholarship is determined first by the amount of unmet need and loan burden, and second by non-economic criteria such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and community service.

OFFICERS

President - Stephanie Altavilla

Vice President - Karen Garrett

Asstistant Vice President - Michael Rauseo Secretary​ - Bernadette Kearney

Treasurer - Lesley Santini Assistant Treasurer - Michael Houlahan

TRUSTEES

David Donahue

Alan MacDonald

James R. Willing

Absolutely! Establishing a named scholarship is a beautiful way to make a lasting tribute – to an individual or an organization – and we are thrilled to have 56 such funds at present. View the complete list here, or learn more about how to establish a scholarship.

Since 1945, the WSF has relied exclusively on the continuing personal and financial commitment of Winchester citizens like you, and we welcome your support and involvement! Your can learn more by visiting our Support page, connecting with any of our current board members, or contacting the Winchester High School Guidance Office.

Contributions can be made to:

The Winchester Scholarship Foundation Post Office Box 174 Winchester, MA 01890