THE HERKIMER REGION
COLLEGE & CAREER
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation is a not-for-profit community scholarship foundation. Local citizens from many professions work voluntarily to generate scholarship funds for graduates of technical programs in our region. These technical programs may be those in place at Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES or one of the 10 component districts.
The component school districts are Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley.
Since 1991, more than $204,000 has been given out through more than 350 scholarships distributed to students seeking to combine their technical education training with accredited college study.
Each year, The Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation presents approximately a dozen scholarships.
For the general scholarship application, click here.
For the Career Award application, click here.
For the adult LPN scholarship application, click here.
The applications must be printed and submitted.
Application forms also are now available from guidance counselors in all Herkimer BOCES area school districts or by calling Shawn Maxson at Herkimer BOCES at 315-867-2023. This year's deadline for submitting an application was March 1, 2023.
To view the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation brochure, click here.
For information or to request the brochure or application information in a different format, contact Herkimer BOCES District Clerk Shawn Maxson at 315-867-2023 or smaxson@herkimer-boces.org.
Students eligible for these scholarships include those who are majoring in technical education in their high school program and plan to go to college next year. This includes nearly all students enrolled in the Technical Education Center located at Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES. Also eligible are those adults who wish to enroll in vocational training, such as practical nursing, at Herkimer BOCES.
These technical programs may be those in place at Herkimer BOCES or the technical programs of the 10 component school districts. The component school districts are: Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley.
The scholarship foundation also offers a Career Award for students who gain employment in a Career and Technical Education field prior to or soon after graduation and incur expenses as a result of that employment. This award allows the reimbursement of up to $750 for trade-specific expenses such as employment clothing, personal protective equipment, tools, supplies, certifications, credentials and/or licenses.
Aside from the scholarships that students apply for, there are special incentive awards available for those pursuing careers in certain areas. These special funds are administered by the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation and are in addition to the scholarships offered through the general fund.
The special incentive awards are:
The Paul A. Bouck Memorial Fund provides a scholarship to a student who is entering a field of study that relates to agriculture, a rural-related field or other related areas.
The Robert A. Moore Memorial Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student who has completed the Herkimer BOCES Visual Communications Media Arts program and plans to further their training in the field of radio and television broadcasting.
The Special Nursing Fund provides a scholarship to a nursing student in need of financial assistance.
The Mower Family Farm Fund provides a scholarship to a student who will be pursuing occupations in the field of agriculture.
The William E. Whitehill Jr. Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student in the Technical Education Center who demonstrates the most improvement while in the program.
The Chris Brockway Memorial Scholarship Award provides a scholarship to a student who completes the Criminal Justice program.
The Papaleo/Dady Family Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student who successfully completes a two-year technical education program at BOCES with a minimum grade-point average of 85 percent.
The Harry J. Enea Sr. Memorial Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student entering the mortuary science field.
The Chester A. Scerra Memorial Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student pursuing an education in the field of culinary arts.
The William E. Busacker Scholarship Award provides a scholarship to a student who has demonstrated leadership in causes that promote change to the status-quo, compassion for the less-fortunate, animal rights or other issues.
The Hummel Family Scholarship Award provides a scholarship to a student who demonstrated community-minded focus throughout the student’s high school career.
The Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation is unique because all scholarships go to technical education majors, Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation Board President Sharon Baisley said.
Among the colleges being attended by winners of last year’s scholarships are Herkimer SUNY, Mohawk Valley Community College, Clarkson University, University of Wyoming and Alfred State College. Several nursing students were awarded scholarships to attend the Herkimer BOCES Adult Practical Nursing Program.
Career Award Criteria
The Herkimer Region College and Career Scholarship Foundation starting this year will offer a Career Award for students who gain employment in a Career and Technical Education field prior to or soon after graduation and incur expenses as a result of that employment. This award allows the reimbursement of up to $750 for trade-specific expenses such as employment clothing, personal protective equipment, tools, supplies, certifications, credentials and/or licenses.
Below are the newly established Career Award criteria:
Clothing/work gear needed for employment may include but is not limited to the following: shoes/boots, gloves, smock, jacket, hard hat, face shields/masks, safety glasses, helmet, uniform, tool belt, etc.
Tools/supplies needed for employment may include but is not limited to the following: tool pouch, socket set, tool box/bucket, basic hand tools, stethoscope, markers, pencils, sketchpad, curling iron, blow dryer, etc.
Certification/licenses needed for employment may include but is not limited to the following: fingerprinting, licensing/testing fees, certification fees, etc.
Requirements of the recipient for reimbursement:
Recipient needs to provide proof of employment (eg: pay stub, employment verification letter)
Receipts submitted must be dated on or before Dec. 31 of the recipient’s high school graduation year.
Receipts must be clearly itemized and must be connected to the position in which the recipient is employed. Recipients are encouraged to submit all receipts at one time; however, a total of two submissions will be allowed.
Proof of employment and receipts must be sent on or before Dec. 31 of the recipient’s high school graduation year to:
Herkimer Regional College & Career Scholarship Foundation
Herkimer BOCES-Attn: Shawn Maxson
352 Gros Boulevard
Herkimer, NY 13350-1499
NOTE: The Herkimer Regional College & Career Scholarship Foundation reserves the right to review each item submitted prior to reimbursement.
Recipients are encouraged to shop local.