Applications for 2015 Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut scholarships are now available. There are different scholarship opportunities and applications for each of the Southeast and Norwich, as well as the Windham County, sections of the foundation's 42-town territory. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Since 1983, local individuals, families, organizations and businesses have established 100 scholarship funds at the Community Foundation. These funds now make possible more than 200 student awards annually. In 2014, more than $440,000 was given out to regional students. Most of the scholarships are for high school seniors, college or graduate students - but some may also be awarded to nontraditional students who want to further their education. Each scholarship has its own selection criteria which may include town of residence, high school, field of study and other preferences. Recipients must attend or plan to attend accredited educational institutions.

Committees of community volunteers work with the foundation's staff to review and select scholarship recipients through a competitive and nondiscriminatory process. Although applicants are asked to indicate which scholarships they are applying for, the committee will consider applicants for all scholarships for which they are eligible. Awards generally range from $500 to $20,000 for a single year, or over a period of up to four years. Scholarship awards are approved in early June and paid to colleges by Aug. 1.

The Southeast area includes the towns of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford.

To find out more about Southeast-area scholarship opportunities, contact Jennifer O'Brien, (860) 442-3572 or jennob@cfect.org

For Norwich-area scholarship opportunities, contact Alison Woods, (860) 442-3572 or alison@cfect.org.

Interested students also may visit www.cfect.org.