For many students, the biggest obstacle to a higher education is money. The Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. Scholarship aims to help remove this obstacle by providing a deserving student with a scholarship for college. 

The Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. Scholarship is a merit-based program which means financial need is not considered. The selection of the winner is made by an independent panel of judges and is based primarily on the quality of the submitted personal statement, academic performance (e.g. grades and standardized test scores), community service and leadership.   

This scholarship is being awarded in memory and honor of the late Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. who lived his passion for public service and higher education throughout his life. Active in his community from a young age, Dr. Kalisz never stopped working toward building a better community through his involvement in various service organizations such as the Jaycees, business education through Junior Achievement, Inc., serving as a New Bedford City City Councilor, Register of Deeds as well as Mayor of the City of New Bedford. He was committed to the value of educational advancement and lived this value by obtaining his degrees in Public Policy and Business Administration; ultimately obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Law and Policy and then sharing his passion for helping others by serving as a professor at local universities teaching Public Policy and Management. 

This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior who is a resident of the city of New Bedford pursuing a bachelors or associates degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership or Management, Business Administration, Sustainability or related majors with career plans for community and/or public service. Applicants will be required to submit a scholarship application, proof of residency, supporting documentation and a one page personal statement relating their personal and academic goals to the life and service of Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr.