Scholarships for High School Seniors
The Greater Nashua Area Branch of the NAACP is proud to award annual scholarships to high school seniors of color!
The 2026 application form will become available in the spring.
The NAACP has a long history of supporting education for students who have historically been underrepresented in post-secondary education. Making democracy work since 1909, the mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.
The Greater Nashua Area Branch of the NAACP supports this tradition locally by awarding scholarships to deserving students who live in the 13 cities/towns of our region: Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndenborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham, and Wilton.
Local individuals, organizations, and businesses contribute money to the scholarship fund because they recognize the importance of investing in the post-secondary education of our youth. This investment is important not only for academic and financial reasons, but also for the social, cultural, and political growth afforded a region by having a well-educated citizenry.
Purpose of the Scholarship
The purpose of the scholarship is threefold:
1. Encourage academic success
Academic success is broadly defined but is commonly understood to imply achieving academic success in a program of study selected by the student and persistence towards graduation. Academic success develops the skills and competencies that make possible success in the workplace and community. Students must be in good academic standing at their current institution to receive a scholarship.
2. Encourage community activism
The quality of life for members of a community is enhanced by active participation in the varied aspects of the community. Developing and encouraging awareness and engagement in community issues during the young adult years must be actively encouraged and supported by the community.
3. Provide financial support to eligible students
Increases in the cost of education at two- and four-year institutions have, over the past decade, exceeded any increases to family income. This dynamic makes financing higher education challenging for most families and individuals. This scholarship is not intended to finance an education, but to make a small contribution to the many costs a student will incur.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students may apply who identify as African American or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), in good academic standing as defined by their high school. These students must be high school seniors who intend to enroll in a 2-year college, 4-year college, technical or trade school. The scholarships are awarded for the upcoming academic year.
Scholarship value
The Greater Nashua Area Branch NAACP intends to award multiple scholarships with a value from $1000 to $1500 each. This is not a renewable scholarship opportunity.
How to apply?
Students may apply by submitting the required documents to the Greater Nashua Area Branch NAACP Scholarship Committee at gnanaacp@gmail.com. Please include name and email address on all materials submitted.
Required documents are:
- Scholarship Application
- Letters of Recommendation (one is required, two are recommended) from an individual who can comment on your abilities, accomplishments and interests relative to the purposes of this scholarship.
- Essay OR Creative Work Portfolio
Full materials to apply to this scholarship will become available in spring 2026.