The Summit Foundation distributes more than $150,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors and helps dozens of students afford a college education each year.
We encourage you to donate to an existing fund or to create a new fund.
Donate to a Scholarship Fund
Donors can contribute to any of the following scholarship funds:
- Elevating Summit Students Scholarship is for first-generation college applicants who demonstrate motivation and have financial needs.
- The Summit Foundation Award for Perseverance is for students with financial need who have overcome obstacles and shown significant academic improvement during high school.
- Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship is for students with financial need who plan on a career in education. This scholarship is intended to further Martha Gordon Santiuste’s legacy of inspiring lifelong learning and is available to students at Summit High School and Kent Place School.
You can designate the scholarship you wish to support at the point of payment.
Yenni Gonzalez-Chacon, Martha Santiuste Scholarship Recipient
April Sanchez, Elevating Summit Students Scholarship Recipient
Establish a New Scholarship Fund
Establishing a scholarship is a wonderful way to honor one’s legacy or encourage and assist students with financial need to pursue studies in a particular field. Interested donors can establish a new scholarship to be managed by The Summit Foundation. To learn more, please email [email protected].
The Summit Foundation also manages the following scholarships:
- Adele M Lynch Nursing Scholarship offered to Summit High School and New Providence School seniors who plan to attend nursing school
- Harry & Genevieve Kates Summit Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship for Summit High School seniors with academic achievement who are active in community service with preference given to students attending community college or vocational/technical schools
- Albert J. Bartholomew Scholarship for Summit High School seniors with financial need planning further study at a college, university or vocational/technical school
- Emily Bensinger Memorial Prize in Business Subjects for Summit High School students showing proficiency in commercial or business subjects
- Arthur Torell Memorial Scholarship for outstanding Summit High School math students
- Clara I. Wulff Memorial Award to a Summit High School student with financial need
- William Treuchtlinger Scholarship for an outstanding Linden High School students
- Gladys E.P. Cornetta Scholarship for a North Bergen High School students intending to attend a New Jersey college and pursue a career in teaching
- Cole-Matreyek Trinitas Nursing Scholarships provide financial support to students attending the Trinitas Hospital nursing program
- PEP Scholars Scholarships provides financial support to PEP program graduates attending college. PEP, Providing Educational Possibilities, is a college access program for students in Summit.
One Donor’s Story
Aira Poticano (Drew University) left, April Sanchez (Gettysburg College) right
Inspired by the Foundation’s scholarship offerings for college-bound high school seniors, a local family asked us how they could help grow the pie.
Together we envisioned a new scholarship, Elevating Summit Students (ESS), to help narrow the gap between college tuition and financial aid. Six donor families committed funds to launch the effort in 2022. Two Summit High School seniors were awarded inaugural ESS scholarships of $23,000 per student to be used over their four years of college.
The scholarship enabled both students to consider a wider range of college opportunities.
“Thanks to the ESS Scholarship, I am able to not only attend Drew University but live on campus. I really enjoy it because I get a sense of freedom and I am learning how to be independent!” — Aira Poticano
More Testimonials
“I will be double-majoring in psychology and business, but ideally I would like to further my education in the field of psychology with the intention of becoming a clinical psychologist. Growing up I was always surrounded by people that selflessly looked out for me… and I would like to do something that will have an impact on others as well. Once again, thank you for the help you’ve provided to me and my family. I will forever be grateful for the Summit Foundation.” – Hugo “Danny” Sanchez, recipient of the Harry and Genevieve Kates Summit Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship 2024
“The Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship has allowed me to enter the educational setting with more opportunity to be involved; it meant I did not need to get a job on campus this year, and I could give a lot more focus to my schooling.” – Annie Woodall, recipient of the Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship 2023
“I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude for awarding me the generous $1,500 scholarship to help me with my future at Drew University. This significant contribution will greatly help in my pursuit of higher education and help alleviate the financial burden on my mother and me. Your support has not only provided me with financial assistance but also gives me the encouragement and motivation to continue striving for academic success. I am deeply honored to have been chosen as a recipient of this award and am committed to making the most of the opportunity.” – Manfred Villegas, recipient of the Albert J. Bartholomew Scholarship 2024
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year of college, making numerous close friends and establishing strong relationships with some professors who have been incredibly supportive throughout both semesters. I am particularly pleased with how much I have been able to immerse myself in my major. My portfolio was selected as one of the top five exhibits from the freshman class, which was a significant achievement for me…. I want to take this opportunity to thank you once again for the support you have provided, it has played a crucial role in my academic journey, and I am eager to continue updating you as I progress through college.” – Melinda Garcia, recipient of the EES Scholarship 2023
Students looking for scholarships should contact their school’s guidance department.
