State Grange
Massachusetts
Educational Aid
The Massachusetts State Grange Educational Aid Fund offers scholarships and loans to members in good standing who are pursuing post-secondary education. The scholarships are made possible by donations from Junior, Subordinate and Pomona Granges, or by individuals. The interest paid on the loans and the interest earned on the investments of the Fund are used to grant scholarships.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to full-time and part-time students who are attending a college/university or a post-secondary vocational training program. All scholarship applications are available at the bottom of this page.
Applications for full-time college/university scholarships, including all required supporting documents, must be mailed and postmarked by June 25 to be considered for a scholarship award for the academic year beginning in the fall of the same year. Applicants applying for their first scholarship from the Fund must use the First Scholarship Application. Those applicants who have received previous scholarships from the Fund must use the Subsequent Scholarship Application.
Part-time college/university students may apply for a scholarship using the Part-Time Scholarship Application. Applications may be submitted at any time and will be acted upon at the next meeting of the Trustees of the Educational Aid Fund.
Students attending a post-secondary vocational training program, either full-time or part-time, must use the Vocational Scholarship application. Applications may be submitted at any time and will be acted upon at the next meeting of the Trustees of the Educational Aid Fund.
No Patron is entitled to more than four scholarships (full and/or part time) in a lifetime. For more details on any of our scholarship programs, see the Educational Aid Policies document below.
Loans
Loans of up to $1000 per academic year, for up to four years, are available to student Patrons. No interest is charged during the period of schooling and for six months following graduation. Repayment of the loans must commence 6 months following completion of schooling at an interest rate of 4% per year, charged monthly.
Special Awards
The Thomas F. Severance Award for Outstanding Grange Service
Brother Thomas F. Severance served the Grange in many different capacities beginning when he joined in 1955. Tom began his service to the Massachusetts State Grange as a member of the Conservation and Ecology committee in 1973. He also served as a Deputy before being elected Gatekeeper in 1980. Following historical tradition, Tom worked his way up the chairs and was elected President of the Massachusetts State Grange in 1993, serving until 1997. At the time of his passing in 2011, Tom was a member of the State Grange Executive Committee and held the National Grange position of High Priest of Demeter. Over the years, Tom served on many Grange committees and worked to support many State Grange functions.
Each year up to four Thomas F. Severance Awards for Outstanding Grange Service are also available. Students apply for these awards by completing the Thomas F. Severance Awards for Outstanding Grange Service Application (linked below). These awards are competitive and no student may receive more than one Severance Award.
The William H. Eaton Memorial Scholarship
Brother William H. Eaton was a dedicated Grange member from when he joined the organization in 1956 to his passing in 2014. Bill held many Grange offices, including Chaplain and Secretary, was very active in the Home and Community Service Committee for many years, worked on Grange exhibits at the Marshfield Fair each year, and enjoyed visiting shut-in Grange members during the holidays.
The William H. Eaton Memorial Scholarship is funded by Brother Bill’s generous donation to the Massachusetts State Grange. Full-time scholarship applicants pursuing study in the fields of agriculture, conservation or environmental science may elect to be considered for this Scholarship. Awards are competitive and are based on academic achievement and community involvement. No student may receive more than one Eaton Memorial Scholarship. Applicants wishing to be considered for this Scholarship must indicate their interest on the scholarship application; no additional form is necessary.
The Harry Lucas Community Service Excellence Award
Brother Harry Lucas was a long-time, dedicated member of Essex Grange. He attended Grange meetings regularly until his death in 1992 at the age of 93. He was a generous man and community service was very important to him. Following his passing, Essex Grange established a scholarship using the funds that Brother Lucas left to the Grange; that scholarship was continued by West Boxford Grange after Essex Grange closed. This scholarship has been continued by the Massachusetts State Grange following the closure of West Boxford Grange.
Up to four awards will be available per year to students who have demonstrated excellence in service to their local community. Students apply for these awards by completing the Harry Lucas Community Service Excellence Award Application (linked below). These awards are competitive and no student may receive more than one Lucas Award.
Application Forms and Policies
Subsequent Scholarship Application
Vocational Scholarship Application
Part-time Scholarship Application
Thomas Severance Award Application
National Grange, through the Grange Foundation, offers a scholarship program for Grange members. For information about the Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship, and to apply, visit the Grange Foundation's website.