Graduating seniors and young adults 18-25 years old seeking professional development and technical training to pursue careers in local industries (automotive technology, aviation, building trades, culinary arts, early childhood eduction, healthcare, horticulture, landscaping, marine trades, and wind technology) are eligible for financial support training opportunities both on and off the Island. Financial support will be determined based on merit and need and will be sustained for the duration of the proposed educational or professional development plan.

Step 1 - February 14 deadline

Eligible applicants must complete an online application. See Part 1 Application link below. The Advisory Board will assess all applicants using our evaluation tool and identify twelve semifinalists.

Step 2 - Early April

The MVYouth Advisory Board will interview semifinalists.

Step 3 - April 11 deadline

Semifinalists will submit Part 2 of the application after receiving admission and financial aid offers. See Part 2 Application link below.

Step 4 - Late April

Finalists will be announced by May 1. Scholarships will be publicly awarded at the Class Night ceremony in early June.

Click the application links below to get started. Save your work as you go and submit your application when you are complete.  All application materials must be submitted electronically by the application due dates in order to be considered. 
Please email Lindsey Scott at lindseyscott@mvyouth.com if you have any questions.

I am a permanent MV resident, but I go to school off island. Do I qualify?

Eligible applicants must be year-round residents of Martha’s Vineyard. You may be enrolled in a day school off-island, but reside on island. If you are unsure if you qualify, please discuss the matter with MVYouth’s Executive Director, Lindsey Scott at lindseyscott@mvyouth.com.

Will MVYouth hold an information session for prospective applicants?

MVYouth will hold an information session for students and parents on November 10th 6-7 pm at the West Tisbury Library. This session will answer questions about the application and selection process as well as any other questions parents or prospective applicants may have.

Is there someone at MVYouth who can answer my application questions?

The Executive Director, Lindsey Scott is available to answer any questions applicants may have. Please email her directly at lindseyscott@mvyouth.com.

What are the evaluation criteria?

The Advisory Board uses the following criteria to assess all applicants: year-round residents of Martha's Vineyard, financial need, transcripts & grades, employment experience & goals, character, recommendations. See detailed list below.

How many award recipients are chosen?

The number of award recipients selected each year will be determined by our budget and the financial needs of our semifinalists. The number of recipients varies from year to year, but roughly five-seven college and five-seven workforce development scholarships have historically been awarded each year.

Is the scholarship program based on merit or financial need?

The scholarship program is based on both merit and need. MVYouth is committed to enabling students to pursue excellent educations from schools they would otherwise not be able to afford to attend by filling the gap left after estimated family contributions (EFC) and institutional grants and scholarships are subtracted.

*If your EFC is equal to or greater than the cost of attendance at the most expensive school you are considering, please do NOT apply.

How does MVYouth assess a student’s EFC if the parents are divorced?

MVYouth collects financial information from BOTH parents (even though the FAFSA process and EFC calculation is only based on one parent’s income). We have developed a system for estimating the EFC for the second parent so that both parents’ EFCs are calculated before determining financial need.

*Please be in touch with MVYouth’s Executive Director, Lindsey Scott if your family has unique circumstances. lindseyscott@mvyouth.com

Does MVYouth offer any scholarships to graduate students?

MVYouth only supplies undergraduate and trade school scholarships. Two other local organizations provide graduate scholarships, however. Click on the organizational names below to visit their websites and learn more about their application processes.

• Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship: Nomination letter deadline December 14, Application deadline February 15

• Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation: deadline March 19

When will award recipients be announced?

MVYouth will announce the scholarship recipients by May 1. Scholarships will be awarded at the MVRHS Class Night celebration, MV Public Charter School and Falmouth Academy graduations in early June.

Twelfth-graders and young adults through age 25 who are year-round residents of Martha’s Vineyard may apply for a workforce development scholarship from MVYouth, so long as the applicant can demonstrate significant financial need for assistance. MVYouth seeks young people of good character who demonstrate a clarity of purpose to pursue technical training in a particular career field. To select scholarship recipients, the MVYouth Advisory Board reviews each application, using the selection criteria listed below, and recommends scholarship candidates to the MVYouth Board of Trustees for their consideration and approval.

ELIGIBILITY

• Year-round residents of Martha’s Vineyard who are twelfth-graders at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, or Falmouth Academy are eligible to apply. Students who have been home-schooled on Martha’s Vineyard are also eligible. Students attending boarding schools are not eligible.

FINANCIAL NEED

• To be considered for a scholarship, an applicant must need supplementary financial assistance to attend his or her college of choice. The applicant’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must be less than the full Cost of Attendance at the applicant’s chosen college or university.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

• Educational skills: The application demonstrates the student’s commitment to developing and refining important educational and technical skills, especially in content areas of special interest to the student.

CHARACTER

• Capacity to overcome adversity: The applicant’s personal experiences indicate an ability and drive to rise above limitations imposed by adverse circumstances.

• Creativity and individuality: The applicant conveys a capacity to articulate unique perspectives on his or her experiences or surroundings. The applicant also demonstrates a capacity for creative approaches to complex circumstances.

• Empathy: In school, at home, or in the community, the applicant demonstrates skills in acting effectively in support of others, especially those experiencing hardship.

• Demonstration of school values: As assessed by school faculty and combined into a composite score for each student, this criterion measures the extent to which the applicant’s behaviors and attitudes are consistent with the school’s values and thereby demonstrate the capacity to make sound personal decisions. MVRHS core values are resilience, compassion, accountability, curiosity, and community. MVPCS pillars are trust, respect, freedom, responsibility, democracy, and cooperation. Falmouth Academy values are knowledge, collaboration, kindness, relationships, imagination, and diverse challenges and opportunities.

CAREER EXPERIENCE & GOALS

• Employment: The applicant demonstrates sound judgment in employment. For students whose families experience significant economic hardship, good judgment may mean employment that maximizes cash income over time. For other students, good judgment may mean choosing employment that advances the student’s long-term educational, artistic, athletic, or other interests.

• Education & career plan: The applicant demonstrates a clear education & career plan that is logical, sequential and achievable.

• Direction & purpose: The applicant demonstrates clear direction and purpose indicative of their interests.

• Potential for success: The applicant demonstrates a history and potential for success and a high degree of employability.

The following local businesses are proud sponsors of this program. Each business has made a four-year pledge to contribute $1,000 annually. We are very grateful for their partnership.