Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Cuno Foundation?

The Cuno Foundation awards scholarships through two separate trusts: the Frank E. Davella Educational Trust Fund and the Cheshire Fire Department—William M. Grove II Memorial Scholarship Fund.

To be eligible for a scholarship from the Davella Fund, students must be:

• A high school senior
• A resident of Meriden or surrounding communities
• Entering a four-year college program
• Entering a trade, vocational or technical school

Grove Fund scholarship recipients are chosen by the Cheshire Fire Department based on their own criteria.  The Cheshire Fire Department selects its own recipient.  We are a "pass-through" fiduciary for them.  

What is the application process for this scholarship?

Scholarship applications become available in January in the Guidance Department at high schools in Meriden and Wallingford or can be requested by mail. Our scholarship application process includes several rounds of review.

Eligible students are first asked to go to cunofoundation.org/scholarship to register.  Then complete a three page application form to be reviewed by our committee.  With this application form, students must submit two reference letters, most current high school transcript and SAT scores.

The committee will then select students to complete the next phase of the application process which includes three short questions and the provision of additional financial aid information.

Based upon the review of the essays, the committee will invite selected students to participate in individual interviews with the committee and scholarship recipients will be determined following the completion of the interview process.

Are scholarships renewable?

At this time, only 4-year college scholarships are renewable. 

The Cuno Foundation secretary will send all scholarship recipients a  Renewal Instruction Letter in December of the current school year that includes an expense form that needs to be completed and returned to the committee with a copy of your official grade transcript no later than the date given in the Renewal Instruction Letter.

What is the criteria for being awarded a scholarship?

Scholarships are awarded based on a wide variety of factors including, but not limited to:

• Prior academic performance
• SAT scores
• Recommendations from teachers
• Financial need
• Essay responses
• Personal interviews to determine each applicant's motivation, character, ability and potential

How are scholarships distributed?

If a student is selected to receive a scholarship of any amount, the money awarded is sent directly to the college, university, or trade/vocation/technical school that the student is attending.  

Awarded scholarships are payable in two installments - spring and fall semesters.  It is the responsibility of the scholarship recipient to ensure that the college is aware of this installment based payment.