The Hancock Woman’s Club is accepting applications for its annual scholarship, continuing its tradition of helping Hancock women reach their educational goals.

Vici Robinson, who chairs the club’s scholarship committee, said the importance of the scholarship comes from the club’s motto – “for the public good.”

“I think that people feel like women should move into leadership positions or places where they can feel that they can make an impact,” she said, adding that sometimes the only thing holding them back is money.

Robinson said many applicants also have families with their own expenses, making it that much more difficult to pay for education. 

“People have enormously important motives for moving in this direction, and they need help in order to make it happen and not end up in debt,” she said. 

The scholarship is specifically for adult women mid-career or beginning the process of changing or returning to a career after family obligations. Applicants must be Hancock residents of at least two years, and have an official acceptance or enrollment at an accredited school. 

The scholarship got started in 1989, when an anonymous check for $10,000 was sent to the club, made out to a scholarship program that did not exist at the time. After about a decade, the club worked out a process for awarding the scholarship and started the program.

“They still have no idea who sent this $10,000,” said Robinson.

The original money was invested, and the principal amount is untouchable. The fund has also been supplemented over the years with more donations, both anonymous and not, as well as dedicated fundraisers from the women’s club. One woman, Caitlin Mullin, left $5,000 to the program when she died in 2014. 

“People are very inclined to donate to it; it’s a real feel-good kind of program,” Robinson said. “It’s the reason we can do it.”

Each year, Robinson said the committee meets to discuss the applications and decide on recipients and how much money they will each receive. This process can take multiple meetings. 

“There’s a lot of information that comes with in with the application, and the essay that they have to write,” said Robinson.

Recipients typically receive between $500 and $2,000, depending on the cost of their program and how long the classes will take, and the club awards between one and four women each year. Once the committee makes its decisions, the club board makes the final call. 

Robinson said the stories of women who receive funds are inspiring to her, and that many tend to be in either the fields of education or medicine. Last year, one recipient applied for yoga training, as she had developed restrictive arthritis and wanted to help others like her learn to keep active despite such challenges.

Another was a kindergarten teacher who was pulled into a leadership position and wanted to work toward a master’s in educational leadership in order to improve her skills in that area.

“She was the first in her family to go to college, and she graduated with debt, and now she’s worried about paying for graduate school,” Robinson said. “She said that she felt like she was a longtime resident of a small town, and she plans to give back in a meaningful way in the coming years.”

Another recipient last year applied on the deadline day, which Robinson said was definitely acceptable. She worked in nursing, in the field of pediatric hematology, and was conducting research for a hospital program. In an effort to bring more up-to-date research to the project, she wanted to become a clinical nurse leader.

“It was so obvious that she needed it and it was a great program that she was going to be in, so last-minute doesn’t bother me,” Robinson said.

One applicant this year wants to take a course in administering shots so she can move toward becoming a registered nurse.

“Everybody has a different reason for needing the help, but I feel it comes from the heart,” she said. “They really want to give back and help others, and they’re inspired by different kinds of experiences to move forward.”

Applications are due by April 1 this year. Those wishing to apply can reach out to Robinson at 603-525-3044 to receive the application or more information. 

Robinson said that they encourage all women who are eligible to apply.

“These are pretty big things that people are aspiring to,” Robinson said. “These are the kinds of stories that touch your heart.”