Applications for the Beverly Jeanne Welsh Scholarship Fund will be available through the guidance offices at Kent Place School, Oak Knoll School and Summit High School beginning Tuesday, March 30. The Welsh Scholarship is open to young women who demonstrate financial need, who are permanent residents of Summit, NJ, and who currently attend or have graduated from one of these Summit high schools. It is available to students who will either enter college this fall, are currently enrolled as undergraduates, or who have completed an undergraduate degree and are seeking assistance for graduate or professional study. The scholarship, administered through Kent Place School, will grant three awards to local young women demonstrating, in addition to financial need, the qualities valued by Kent Place: academic excellence, leadership, service to the community, citizenship, and character.

A $1 million bequest from the estate of long-time Summit resident Evelyn Welsh endowed the Beverly Jeanne Welsh Scholarship Fund that provides the funds for the scholarships. The Welsh Scholarship Fund, which also provides financial aid for Kent Place students, honors the memory of Mrs. Welsh's daughter Beverly Jeanne, a 1952 graduate of Kent Place School.

Scholarship decisions are made by a selection committee that includes Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising at Kent Place School; Kent Place School Board President John Chrystal; John Schnedeker, Director of Guidance at Summit High School; and Louise Zakian, College Counselor at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. Young women interested in applying for the scholarship should contact a member of the selection committee from their high school. Completed applications must be postmarked or returned to the applicant’s guidance office by Friday, April 16. The selection committee will meet in early May. Decisions will be announced by May 21, 2010.

For more information, please contact the Office of College Advising at Kent Place School at (908) 273-0900, ext. 275 or e-mail simpsonj@kentplace.org.