Stonington -- The Eugene Atwood Fund will begin accepting applications for its 2021-22 interest-free loan program on Jan. 1, 2021.

This will be the 105th year the Stonington-based organization has provided interest-free loans to college-bound students from New London County.

In 2020, an additional loan program was added for those attending trade school. Applicants must be New London County residents who are high school seniors and/or are currently enrolled in college or a trade program.

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, 2021. For more information about programming or to apply, visit www.eugeneatwoodfund.org. 

The fund was established in 1916 by Eugene Atwood, the head of the Atwood Machine Company, located in Stonington. Atwood, an inventor who prized the value of education, established the fund with a mission to help "deserving industrious young people who are making an honest effort to accomplish the best results in life."

In the early 1950s, the Board of Trustees established the Eugene Atwood Award which provides an award to a student or students based on academic achievement and the individual aligning with the organization's mission statement.

In June 2020, the fund established a Trade and Tech Committee with the goal of adding a new program that provides interest-free loans for individuals in the New London County area who will be attending a technology or trade program. Two months later the committee announced the addition of the Eugene Atwood Innovation Award which provided an award for the purchase of tools and equipment needed for a student pursuing a career in a trade.

 For more information, contact fund administrator Stacey Haskell at admin@eugeneatwoodfund.org

or (860) 535-0005.