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Mission

 The mission of the New Bedford Star Kids Scholarship Program is to provide educational opportunities in the form of tuition aid to effective nonpublic schools, uniforms, after school and summer programs, tutoring and mentoring for high risk, low income children who have a parent with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse.  Children are typically enrolled in the program between kindergarten and grade four.  New Bedford Star Kids’ goal for each child is to graduate from high school.  By completing high school and hopefully going on to higher education, these children will have a greater chance of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty, substance abuse and incarceration

 

Summary

Each student is matched with an individual sponsor or group willing to contribute toward a child’s tuition ($3500 annually for Grades K-8; up to $4000 annually for Grades 9-12). Sponsors receive the child’s report card, school photo, letter from the Executive Director and a thank you note from the student. New Bedford Star Kids also welcomes partial sponsor commitments and donations of any amount, which help with after-school programs, summer camps, uniforms, tutoring, and school-based field trips.

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In addition to our sponsors’ support, other educational program expenses (including after-school programs, summer camps, tutoring, etc.) are provided by the generosity of foundation grants, corporations, the Dioceses of Fall River, schools, parishes, our annual appeal and multiple fundraising events. 

List of Programs

New Bedford Star Kids Scholarship Program provides financial support for:

  • Tuition*, Uniforms, Books, Specialty School Supplies

  • Extracurricular activities, including sports, music and the arts

  • Summer Camps and Programs

  • Tutoring and Mentoring

*NBSK does not provide funding for school fees such as fundraising, registration, late fees, etc.

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 Eligibility Requirements: (All applicants must meet with the Executive Director or a staff member. The applications are reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility.)

  • Attending or applying to a non public school AND

  • Have at least one parent with a history of incarceration OR have at least one parent with a documented history of substance abuse (requiring residential rehabilitation or treatment)  AND

  • Be considered low income (based on financials provided to NBSK including W-2s 1040s, State Benefit Form, Pay stubs) AND

  • Entering Grades K-Grade 12

  • Must live in the service area of Greater New Bedford/Southcoast Massachusetts.

Contact Information
Ellen Lough, Executive Director
P.O. Box 50494, New Bedford, MA 02745
(774) 400-7954
www.newbedfordstarkids.org
elough@newbedfordstarkids.org or kbentley@newbedfordstarkids.org
Hours of Operation 9am-5pm Daily, excluding weekends and all major holidays

 

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