Ninety-three Everett High School seniors received coveted John and Abigail Adams Scholarships from the state in 2010, according to Everett school officials.
It was the maximum number allowed under the program’s requirements.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition waver for eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts college or university. The scholarship covers tuition only; fees and room and board are not covered.
“These scholarships are a blessing because many of our young people and their families are concerned about where they’ll go to college which is significantly influenced by the financial aid package they receive,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Thomas Stella.
“They give only tuition and not fees but at least it is a substantial something. It makes college much more affordable for those who would otherwise have to forego the college experience because of a lack of funds,” he added.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarships were first instituted by former Governor Mitt Romney.
In fact, Governor Romney announced the initiative for Massachusetts’s high school students at Everett High School during a press conference that was held there to send out the word about this new program.
Everett school officials say those students who have been in the school system for the longest period are generally the main recipients of the award and that EHS students are pretty consistent in their performance regarding this scholarship.
According to state rules, the scholarships are awarded to the top 25% of achieving senior students at high schools across the state.
Everett’s graduating class is approximately 400 from year to year-in recent years. So the 93 scholarship winners represent the maximum.
Students who receive the scholarship must also score at the advanced and proficient levels on grade 10 MCAS tests in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Also, the students must be in the top 25% of their graduating class in academics.
“Without these scholarships many of our students would be likely to put off college for a year or turn to education at a junior college,” said Dr. Stella.
HE said that citizenship is a requirement.
“If you’re not a legal resident of the United States, you cannot receive this scholarship. Permanent residents are eligible,” he added.