Joseph and Lorraine Finley Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school seniors who are residents of the Wayne County town of Walworth and continuing their education at any accredited two-year, four-year, or technical school.

Application Period

November 1 to March 4

Number and Size of Awards

Four awards of $7,000 each; paid as $1,750 per year for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Eligibility Criteria

For seniors from the town of Walworth* who:

• Are graduating from Aquinas Institute, Gananda, Marion, Mercy, McQuaid Jesuit, Palmyra-Macedon, Penfield, Wayne Central, or Webster Schroeder high schools, and
• Will be attending an accredited two-year, four-year, or technical college or school.

Academic record, school and community activities, and application essay are considered when selecting recipients. Preference is given to those with financial need.

*In order to be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must live in the town of Walworth, defined by these boundaries: South of Whitney Road, West of Arbor Road, North of Gananda Parkway/Pond Road, and East of County Line Road. Please see the Town of Walworth Boundary Map.

Application Process

To begin or continue your application, click here.

This scholarship is one of dozens connected to our Consolidated Scholarship Application. Applying for this scholarship means you’ll be considered for any other relevant opportunities within the Consolidated Application.

Committee/Selection Process

The selection process is coordinated through Kathy Emison. A committee of Walworth town residents and one school teacher reviews applications, selects the recipient(s), and informs the Community Foundation.

Award Announcement and Payment

The Community Foundation emails a certificate to the high school for presentation to the recipient and emails an award notification with instructions for claiming the award to the recipient in the Spring. Payment is mailed to the school for the recipient’s account in one lump sum in the Fall and split between the Fall and Spring semesters once required documentation is received.

To release a scholarship payment, upload the requested and required information to the Community Foundation’s online Scholarship Portal between July 1 and August 15.

Scholarships not claimed by February 15 in the assigned year will be forfeited. Email scholarships@racf.org with any questions or concerns.

Renewability

This scholarship is renewable up to three times for a total of four awards in four consecutive years. Please see the Award Announcement and Payment section above for more information.