Established in 1952, the Abington Heights Student Aid Fund has been assisting students with furthering their education for more than 60 years.

Residents of the Abington community and civic-minded individuals have contributed more than $325,000 to the fund.

Last year, the organization provided 27 new graduates loans or scholarships of $250 and named awards ranging from $500 to $1,000. More than 1,490 Abington Heights graduates have been helped to attend colleges, universities, and technical and trade schools through the organization.

The fund is managed by 15 volunteer board members, the Director of Student Services Peter Smith and student representatives. Volunteer board members are asked to serve a three-year term and meetings are held periodically during the school year.

The Student Aid Fund relies on individual giving to support its general loan/scholarship program and Directors’ Scholarships. This program allows students to apply for interest free loans and scholarship opportunities throughout their educational pursuits for four years.

Individuals and businesses may sponsor scholarships. The Student Aid Fund will work with donors to tailor the criteria for the desired scholarship, including management of yearly or endowed scholarship funds. There are currently 21 scholarships available for graduating seniors.

Seniors who have been accepted to a technical school, nursing training school, or a college or university are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria: GPA of 85 percent or higher, financial needs to meet educational expenses, and have a worthy citizenship and activity record.

For scholarship or sponsorship forms, contact Student Aid Fund President Colleen Parsells at talk2me586@aol.com or Abington Heights Director of Guidance Peter Smith at 570-585-5307 or smithp@ahsd.org.

The Abington Heights Student Aid Fund has awarded more than $325,500 to graduating seniors since 1952 to help pay for post-graduation schooling. From left, first row, Loan Officer Karen Simakaski, board members Barbara Wadsworth and Diane Schumacher, Recording Secretary Karen Voight, President Colleen Parsells. Second row, Board members Lisa Imbriaco, Tara Crum, Jacquie Brown, Kaitlin Besko and Wayne Griffiths. Absent at the time of photo was Corresponding Secretary Sue Burke, Treasurer Jim Gavigan, board members Ryan Campbell, Deborah Kennedy and Stephanie Westington, Finance Secretary Chuck Parry, and Scholarships- David Perrotti.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_ABJ-AH-Student-Aid-Fund.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Abington Heights Student Aid Fund has awarded more than $325,500 to graduating seniors since 1952 to help pay for post-graduation schooling. From left, first row, Loan Officer Karen Simakaski, board members Barbara Wadsworth and Diane Schumacher, Recording Secretary Karen Voight, President Colleen Parsells. Second row, Board members Lisa Imbriaco, Tara Crum, Jacquie Brown, Kaitlin Besko and Wayne Griffiths. Absent at the time of photo was Corresponding Secretary Sue Burke, Treasurer Jim Gavigan, board members Ryan Campbell, Deborah Kennedy and Stephanie Westington, Finance Secretary Chuck Parry, and Scholarships- David Perrotti.

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Abington Heights Student Aid Fund.