Scholarships

The Foundation for Seacoast Health scholarship program will reopen November 1st with applications due May 1st

Edwina Foye Award 
For Outstanding Graduate Student

The Edwina Foye scholarship was established in 1985 by colleagues, friends, and family to honor the memory of Edwina Foye, RN, a nurse who dedicated twenty-five years of service to Portsmouth Hospital (1952-1978). 

Steven Cutter Award
For Outstanding Undergraduate Student  

The Steven Scott Cutter scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees in 1999 in memory of Steven, son of Nancy L. Cutter, retired Foundation for Seacoast Health employee. Steven was a 1989 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School and a 1994 graduate of the University of Connecticut College of Pharmacy. 

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Lindsey Bogh, a resident of Eliot, ME was selected as the recipient of a $5,000 Edwina Foye Scholarship Award. Lindsey entering her final year at the University of New Hampshire pursing her masters in speech language pathology

Lilia Potter Schwartz, a resident of Portsmouth was selected as the recipient of a $5,000 Steven Cutter Scholarship Award. Lilia is entering her second year at the Yale University and pursuing molecular biophysics and biochemistry degree. 
 
Jillian Carr, a resident of York, ME received a $2,500 general scholarship award.  Jillian is entering her second year at Quinnipiac University pursuing a degree in biomedical science. 

Tesfanesh Gautreau, a resident of Kittery, ME, received a $2,500 general scholarship.  Tesfanesh will be entering her first year at Rhode Island University pursuing a degree in nursing. 

Sarah Morin, a resident of Portsmouth, received a $2,500 general scholarship award. Sarah will be entering her fourth year at the University of New Hampshire pursuing a nursing degree. 

Rebecca Brockney, a resident of Portsmouth, received a $2,500 general scholarship. Rebecca will be completing her final year at Great Bay Community College nursing a degree in nursing.

Overview 

Since its founding, the Foundation for Seacoast Health has proudly awarded over 660 scholarships to 320 individuals totaling over $2.2 million in support.

In keeping with the mission of the organization to advance initiatives that impact and promote the health and well-being of Seacoast residents, candidates must be pursuing an undergraduate (not limited to high school seniors) or graduate degree in a health-related field of study.

Scholarship awards are announced prior to June 30th each year. Recipients and their families will be invited to attend a reception hosted by the Foundation for Seacoast Health Board of Trustees.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for award consideration, applicants must be a current resident of one of the following communities (Portsmouth, North Hampton, Greenland, Rye, Newington and New Castle, New Hampshire; or, Kittery, Eliot, and York, Maine). Applicants must be pursuing a health-related field of study as an undergraduate (not limited to high school seniors) or graduate student in an accredited institution of learning. Consideration will be given to academic achievement, workforce shortage areas on the Seacoast, job experience, community service, evidence of dedication to the chosen field of study, financial need, and the likelihood of the applicant to return to the region to practice their profession.

How to Apply

To apply for a scholarship, an applicant must complete and submit application and required attachments online no later than May 1st.

Should you have any questions, please contact Noreen Hodgdon at nhodgdon@ffsh.org.

Application Review Criteria

  • Academic Excellence (national test scores if available, GPA) 

  • Statements of Support (supporting candidate’s choice of health-related field of studies, personal attributes, evidence of leadership, motivation, and maturity) 

  • Employment Experience in Health-related field 

  • Community Involvement (volunteerism and/or advocacy) 

  • Personal Essay (Relation of essay topic to health studies or career choice) 

  • Personal Goals (Evidence of commitment to field of health and potential for return to serve foundation communities). 

  • Choice of Career in Workforce Shortage Areas (consideration will be given to candidates who are pursuing a career in a workforce shortage area). 

  • Financial Need

Graduate Students 

  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Medical Aptitude Test (GMAT) 

  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) 

  • Dental Admission Test (DAT) 

  • National League of Nursing Admissions Test (NLN) 

Undergraduate Students

  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) 

  • National League of Nursing Admissions Test (NLN) 

  • American College Test (ACT) 

Optional Test Scores

Distribution of Awards 

Awards will be paid in two equal installments per academic year with the first being issued in August and the second on or before December 30. Checks are issued jointly to the student and the school and must be endorsed by both parties. Checks will not be issued until all components of the terms of agreement have been met and the agreement signed. 

Obligations of Award Recipients 

Prior to any funds being discharged, scholarship recipients are required to submit verification of enrollment in an accredited institution as a part-time (8 or more credits) or full-time student and confirmation of acceptance into a health-related field of study. At the end of the academic year, recipients must provide the Foundation for Seacoast Health with an official transcript and a financial accounting of how the scholarship monies were used.

Additional Information 

All awards are made without regard to race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or religion. All information such as initial applications, references, student records and reports which are secured by the Foundation to evaluate the qualification of applicants, or the documents required annually from Scholarship recipients become the property of the Foundation for Seacoast Health.