CAPE COD ASSOCIATION

FAQs


Who is eligible to apply for a Cape Cod Association scholarship?

The Cape Cod Association offers heritage-based scholarships for residents born and currently living on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Graduating high school seniors and college students who are past recipients of this scholarship are eligible to apply. The applications of students who do not meet this criteria will not be evaluated.

The Board of Directors awards scholarships to students attending two or four year colleges, technical schools, or community colleges anywhere in the United States. The following four aspects of an application are weighted heavily when making award decisions: Cape Cod heritage; academic excellence; extracurricular activities; and financial need.

If you were not born on Cape Cod, but live here currently and are pursuing an undergraduate education, you may be eligible for scholarships through The Cape Cod Foundation, the Cape Cod Association’s partnering organization. Please visit www.capecodfoundation.org for more information about possible scholarship opportunities.



Can I receive a scholarship if I plan to attend a school outside of the United States?

No, we can only grant scholarships to U.S. based institutions.


I was born in a hospital off-Cape for medical reasons, military service, or adoption, but my family was living on the Cape when I was born. Am I still eligible?

We understand that sometimes further medical care than that which can be offered locally is required. Thus, applications will still be reviewed in this case, as long as your family was residing on Cape Cod or the Islands at the time of your birth and they are still residing on Cape Cod or the Islands. Similarly, your application will be reviewed if your family was residing on the Cape but traveling due to military service at the time of your birth, or if you were adopted by at least one parent who was born on the Cape or Islands.



What does the Board consider Cape Cod?

Cape Cod is defined as Barnstable, Nantucket, and Dukes Counties. If your town is not within one of these counties, you are not eligible for this scholarship.



I received a Cape Cod Association scholarship last year. Do I need to re-apply, and does it mean I will automatically get one again this year?

Even if you are a past recipient, you must re-apply each year for another scholarship. Past recipients are not guaranteed an award. Dollar amounts vary from year to year.



What is the application deadline?

All applicants are required to apply through our online application system. PAST recipients of this scholarship will have a deadline of midnight on March 15. HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS  have a deadline of 11:59 pm on April 1. The links to all applications are available on the “Application” page of this website beginning in Februry of the application year.

The committee will not consider late applications!



How do I obtain an application? How early can I apply?

Applications are available in December through the online scholarship portal.



Are there different applications for high school seniors and past recipients?

Yes. The applications are noted as such.



What information do I need to send with my application?

PAST recipients will need to complete the online application and be prepared to upload a copy of their most recent college transcript listing all coursework to date and submit an updated personal essay.

HIGH SCHOOL applicants will need information about their Cape heritage, financial need, extracurricular activities, and a personal statement. They will enter their guidance counselor’s information and upload  transcripts and a letter of recommendation directly to the application.



Do you provide scholarships for graduate studies?

At this time, the Association only offers scholarships to students for undergraduate studies.



I am going to be entering my fifth year of college. Am I eligible for a scholarship?

While we understand that sometimes double majors, joint degrees, etc. may potentially take longer than four years, the Association only offers scholarships for students for up to  four years of undergraduate education.



Will you contact me and let me know if my application is missing information?

We receive over 500 applications each year for this one scholarship and cannot contact students for missing information. It is up to you to make sure that your application is complete and submitted on-time! Incomplete and/or late applications will not be reviewed. There are no exceptions!



When will I receive notification of whether or not I received a scholarship?

Recipients are typically notified by email in June. If you have not heard from us by June 15, please feel free to contact the office.



What do I need to do if I receive a scholarship?

If you receive a scholarship, you will receive an award letter by email announcing the purpose and amount of the scholarship. You must complete and electronically sign it, and notify your school of your award. Checks are issued in July, made payable to the college/university you will be attending for that fall semester, and sent directly to the Bursar’s office at that college/university. The scholarship will be credited to your account and should show up on your fall tuition bill as a private scholarship. The Cape Cod Association sends the full amount of the scholarship for the fall semester, unless otherwise indicated by the student. Many colleges/universities will automatically split scholarship awards between semesters, so please check with your college/university on their specific policy for handling outside scholarship awards.



Will a Cape Cod Association scholarship award affect my financial aid package?

Institutions/Colleges/Universities may adjust financial aid packages to reflect scholarships other than those granted by the college. Usually a college or university will first use an outside scholarship to replace unmet need, or reduce the amount of loans or work study before adjusting grants or scholarships. However, policies vary and students should check with their institutions’ financial aid office. We encourage you to contact our office at 508.790.8055 if your college has adjusted your financial aid package due to a scholarship.



I did not receive a scholarship. Can you tell me why? Can I re-apply next year?

Each year, the Association receives well over 500 applications, and, although we would like to be able to, unfortunately, we are not able to make awards to many intelligent, hard-working students. Please be assured that you did nothing “wrong”. The Board of Directors establishes a scoring system each year and reviews every applicant with that system. Thus, you are compared to all of the other applicants, and it is very difficult to determine what that pool will look like from year to year.