During the first six years since establishing the McKeown Scholars Program, Cummings Foundation and New Horizons have already awarded scholarships totaling nearly $1 million in eight Greater Boston communities. In awarding the $5,000 McKeown Scholarships reserved for your community this year, it is vital to adhere to the following timeline for proper program administration and ongoing participation. Please contact Rob Nigro at 781-932-8000 for any further details.

Tues., Jan 22 Each participating community's public high school provides applications to eligible requesting students (public or private school) in the upper 20% (only) of their respective senior classes, beginning January 22. (Cummings Foundation (CF) will forward applications to schools beforehand.) CF and each school will attempt to generate local publicity about scholarship availability. Students must return completed applications to school officials for review and eligibility certification no later than Friday, February 7. Applicants who do not attend the local public high school must have applications certified at their respective schools and submit them to the designated public high school official by February 7.

Wednesday, March 12 The community's public high school (only) administers a one-hour written essay to all participating students (public or private) in a carefully controlled environment during school hours. CF telephonically provides essay topic between 11 a.m. and 12 noon on March 12. Schools fax sign-in sheets to CF after essay begins. Fairness to all participants is vital; NO MAKE-UP DATES ARE PERMITTED.

Friday, March 14 Public high school English Department volunteers begin anonymous evaluation of all written essays. The best written essays shall serve as the "first cut" to identify finalists. School selection committees then complete personal finalist interviews and review all appropriately submitted application materials to determine final winners. Schools notify winners and CF. Neither Cummings Foundation nor New Horizons has any role in selecting winners.

Friday, April 11 Schools submit winners' names, yearbook photos, McKeown Scholars applications, and college choices, with all original essays (including non-winners'), along with details for the 2003 award presentation. A CF or McKeown family representative will thereafter present the McKeown Scholars awards at the community's formal high school awards ceremonies or graduation exercises.

*NOTE: Cummings Foundation/New Horizons will forward all $5,000 scholarship checks directly to students' respective colleges, upon enrollment verification as provided to CF by McKeown Scholars winners. The Foundation will provide explicit procedural details to all winners at the award presentation.