Scholarships

Amount: 3 Scholarships – 2 $1500 Scholarships and 1 $1500 Scholarship for a Student with ties to the Military
Due Date: May 1, 2026
Application Contact: alpost215@gmail.com

2026 Nahant American Legion Scholarship Application

Application Instructions:
1. Include a Copy of your letter of Acceptance. (or please forward as soon as you receive).
2. Include a short cover letter about yourself to include activities, plans, interests, community service and your relationship to military members or veterans, or plans to join the military.

3. Submit and ESSAY ON THE QUESTION BELOW: 250 to 500 words max. (Please do not put your name on the essay, just on the cover letter)

“In your own words describe what it means to be a good citizen”

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP: Nahant resident High School Students or Nahant Veterans recently discharged, and accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year college, university, or technical trade school. The child or grandchild of a Nahant Legion, Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of the Legion member that may be living elsewhere.

PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION TO:
Scholarship Committee
The Nahant American Legion Post 215
P.O. Box 82
Nahant, MA 01908

or email to: alpost215@gmail.com
Applications must be received by May 1, 2026.
The winner of the scholarship with be notified and are expected to attend the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday May 16, 2026 for presentation and to accept the scholarship award.

Amount: $2,500
Due Date: 2026 TBA
Application Contact: Jeannie Buckley | 7 Walton Road | Nahant, MA 01908

The Nahant Garden Club is pleased to announce our offer of a $2,500 academic scholarship to a 2025 high school graduate who has been accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning.

The applicant must be a current resident of Nahant and have been a resident for at least three years. Preference will be given to a course of study related to ecology, environmental engineering and conservation. IN THE ABSENCE OF APPLICANTS MAJORING IN THE ABOVE FIELDS, the scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated significant contributions to civic and community service organizations.

Applicants must include:

1. A transcript of grades.
2. An autobiographical letter describing the applicant’s accomplishments.
3. A copy of acceptance to an accredited institution of higher learning.
4. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or community leader.

Please submit all requirements to:
Jeannie E. Buckley
7 Walton Rd
Nahant, MA 01908
For more information, please call 781-581-0389.

Amount: $500
Due Date: 2026 TBA
Application Contact: Johnson School or the Nahant Police Department

The Nahant Christmas Parade scholarship has been rededicated to Tom Hutton.

Two $500.00 scholarships will be awarded to two graduating high school students who have been through the Nahant School system and are presently residing in Nahant. The scholarships are based on community service or volunteerism, in or out of school. School grades are not a factor, however the student must be accepted to a school of higher learning for the fall semester.

Post graduate studies (Prep School), College or University are acceptable. A brief letter stating your community service, volunteerism, along with a copy of the acceptance letter from the school you will be attending.

These must be submitted with the completed application and letters of references from your community service and volunteering. Applications are available at the Main Office at the Johnson School.

Completed Applications are due by (TBA) and can be dropped off to the Johnson School or the Nahant Police Department.

Name:__________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________
Tel:_____________________ Years at Johnson School:__________________

Name of school of higher learning: ___________________________________
References: _____________________________________________________

Applicants Signature: ________________________ Date: ________________

Amount: $1,000
Due Date: Friday April 10, 2026
Application Contact: Kristin Taylor: 781-426-6047 or ktaylor@nahant.org (do not email your application or essay. Applications should be mailed or dropped off. See below)

Charles Kelley Scholarship Application

Please type a short essay on what Community Service means to you. Please DO NOT put your name on the essay.

Please submit the following with your scholarship application:

1. Copy of you Letter of Acceptance (If you do not yet have your letter please forward as soon as received)
2. A Short Essay (Typed on a separate piece of paper)

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP | Any Nahant resident who has been accepted to a two or four year accredited college is eligible for this scholarship. Please submit a short essay on what “Community Service” means to you.

PLEASE MAIL OR DROP OFF YOUR COMPLETED ESSAY AND APPLICATION TO: 

Kristin Taylor-Selectmen’s Office: 334 Nahant Road, Nahant MA 01908 (do not email your application or essay)

The winner of the scholarship will be notified and expected to attend the Annual Town Meeting on May 16, 2026 to accept the scholarship award.

A LITTLE ABOUT CHARLES KELLEY | The Charles Kelley Annual Scholarship was established by residents of Nahant and the Nahant Board of Selectmen in memory of Mr. Kelley’s dedicated years of service.

Mr. Charles Kelley served for 33 years as a selectman for the Town of Nahant, this is the longest in the town’s history, and it is believed to be the longest in the modern history of Essex County.

Mr. Kelley’s political career started when he was elected to the School Committee in 1950 at the age of 22, he served as chairman of the committee from 1952 to 1955 and was instrumental in the planning and building of the Johnson School. Mr. Kelley when asked about his length of service was quoted as saying “ I’m not out to break records, I’m in politics because I love it and I hope I’m able to do something for my town.”

Amount: $1,000
Due Date: 2026 TBA
Application Contact: Al Eaton | PO Box 33 | Nahant, MA 01908

The Nahant Lions Club will award $1,000 to a Nahant student who meets the following criteria: a current Nahant resident, graduating from an accredited secondary school and acceptance to an accredited institution of higher learning.

The award is based on volunteerism, scholarship, extracurricular activities and need. Interested applicants should submit a letter, detailing how they meet the volunteerism criteria, a current transcript and a letter of acceptance from the institution of higher learning, that the applicant plans to attend.

All documentation must be submitted to:
Mr. Al Eaton
PO Box 33
Nahant, MA 01908

Amount: $500
Due Date: May 15, 2026
Application Contact: Mary Jo Ludke-4 Highland Avenue, Nahant, MA 01908

Application: 2026 Bob and Janet Munnelly Memorial Scholarship Application

The Bob and Janet Munnelly Memorial Scholarship was established by the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Nahant in memory of its beloved members. Bob was a longtime Nahant resident, distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army, and lifelong educator. He served as a classroom teacher, Northeastern University professor, and Superintendent of Schools in Saugus and Reading. Janet worked tirelessly to help those in need. She worked for the Salem and Nahant Housing Authorities and was a Mentor to a local teen. Both Janet and Bob devoted countless hours to neighbors in Nahant who were in need of assistance. This $500 scholarship award is given as a tribute to their commitment to Nahant and education.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Nahant resident, graduating high school senior
• Accepted to a post-secondary academic, professional, technical, or trade certificate, license, or degree program
• Well-rounded individual involved in both community and school activities

Application Process:

Please include:

• Personal information – name, address, telephone number, email address
• Letter of acceptance to one of the programs listed above
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or community leader
• Letter from applicant describing relevant and consistent school and community service and future plans
• Explain what receiving this scholarship would mean to you and your family

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 All materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered.

Please send your completed application packet to:
Mary Jo Ludke
4 Highland Ave.
Nahant, MA 01908

Due Date: 2026 TBA

Contact: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish: 781-581-0023

• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Annual Scholarship | $750
• Bill and Dolores Perry Scholarship | $600

Applicants must be a current member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and attended St. Thomas Religious Education Program. Please include a letter describing examples of leadership and service to the CHURCH and community, a copy of acceptance to an accredited institution of higher learning and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community leader.

Application forms will be available at St. Thomas Church on the bulletin tables.

The scholarships will be awarded at a 9AM Mass to be announced.

Amount: $500
Due Date: 2026 TBA
Application Contact: nahantteachers@gmail.com

Nahant Teachers Association Scholarship Application

The Nahant Teachers Association is pleased to announce the offer of a $500 scholarship.

The Scholarship Committee members shall study the candidates in light of the following criteria:

1. Must be a current Nahant Resident
2. Must be a graduate of the Johnson Elementary School
3. Must have attended the Johnson School for at least two years
4. Must be a good citizen, showing qualities of reliability, courtesy, consideration, and cooperation.

Scholarship candidates should submit with their application:

• A short essay on what you have accomplished so far and what your goals are for the future
• A copy of your acceptance to an accredited institution of higher learning
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher or community leader
• A copy of your complete high school transcript

The amount of the scholarship will be $500.00 and will be awarded at the Johnson School Moving on Ceremony in June of the graduating year.

Please send all documents as an attached PDF to:nahantteachers@gmail.com

Amount: $1,500
Due Date: 2026 TBA
Application Contact: scholarships@nahantwomansclub.org

Application: NAHANT WOMANS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP

One $1,500 award will be made to a member of the Class of 2025 who will be continuing his or her education at an accredited two or four year college. Applicant must be sponsored by a Nahant Woman’s Club member or be a resident of Nahant. The award is based on academic record, financial need, community service and extra-curricular activities.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY:

1. The student’s letter of application.
2. High school transcript
3. Evidence of acceptance into college
4. Letter/s of recommendation
5. Articles and/or photos of community service and extra-curricular participation.

ALL MATERIALS ARE DUE BY : TBA

Please email to: scholarships@nahantwomansclub.org
On the “Subject” line please put your Name and “Nahant Scholarship”