CRANBURY: Woman’s Club offers scholarships

By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
   CRANBURY — Like most everything else these days, higher education doesn’t come cheap.
   Recognizing the financial difficulties many students’ face going to college, The Woman’s Club of Cranbury is offering two $2,000 scholarships to graduating Cranbury high school students.
   ”The costs of post-secondary education are so high,” Club member Marna McDermott said. “The Club recognizes that the scholarships can only help a little, but (the club) is still anxious to try and help.”
   To be eligible, applicants must be Cranbury Township residents and be first-year undergraduates at a post-secondary educational institution in the fall.
   Through the application process, which involves an essay, students should also be able to demonstrate a commitment to community involvement.
   The Club offers the scholarships annually to foster a lifelong desire to be active in the community, according to Ms. McDermott.
   Money for the scholarships was raised through events such as dinner dances, vacation auctions and fashion shows and through the sale of cookbooks, Ms. McDermott said.
   Memorials that have been given to the Club and investments in a scholarship account have also contributed, in addition to the money accrued through loan repayments.
   In previous years, the Club offered no-interest loans to students and, as those loans are repaid, the money is applied to the scholarships. The scholarship program replaced the no-interest loan program a few years ago, she said.
   ”The Club has long had an interest in helping students,” Ms. McDermott said. “The students who are awarded scholarships have always been so appreciative.”
   Applications are available at the Princeton High School guidance office or at www.womansclubofcranbury.org. The deadline is April 30.
   For more information, contact Ms. McDermott at 609-395-1845 or Debbie Taylor at 609-655-0581.