Scholarship created for Nashua students studying for trade credentials

The Nashua High School Class of 1963 is on a roll.

First, the alumni group started a scholarship fund for graduating Nashua High School South seniors. After initially setting a fundraising target of $10,000, the group obliterated its own goal, raising well over $1 million in donations from almost 100 class members. So far, 31 students have received help going to college from the Class of 1963.

Class member Peter Stylianos, now of California, contributed $1 million to that scholarship – and was inspired to start another one at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to help students from Nashua public schools pursuing post-secondary education.

Now, the Class of 1963 has created the Nashua Class of 1963 Vocational Education Scholarship Fund at the Foundation to fill another gap for Nashua seniors – this time, to help young people who are studying for an industry certificate or credential in trades from advanced manufacturing to HVAC to electrical technology to health sciences. Students from Nashua High Schools North and South are eligible for the award.

“More kids are electing to go to vocational and trade schools for certifications,” said Steve Doris, who chairs the committee that organizes the scholarships. The latest scholarship will help those students who are not attending a four-year college, but opting for a pathway into a career in a trade. The new scholarship was created with input from educators at the Nashua Technology Center, the state’s largest high school career and technical education center.

The Charitable Foundation supports students from around the state studying at two- and four-year colleges and for industry credentials and certificates through its Student Aid program. Since 1962, generous people have created more than 500 scholarship funds at the Charitable Foundation to help students from every part of the state.

An initial $25,000 contribution from Stylianos seeded the Nashua Class of 1963 Vocational Education Scholarship Fund, and additional fundraising for it will begin in earnest in 2025.

Not only have alumni from this remarkable graduating class found a way to help other Nashua students in perpetuity, but Doris said the scholarships have had the effect of bringing Class of 1963 members closer together in shared purpose.

The first awards from the Nashua Class of 1963 Vocational Education Scholarship Fund will be made in June of 2026.

To make a gift to the Class of 1963 Vocational Education Scholarship Fund, visit https://give.nhcf.org/Class-of-1963-Vocational-Scholarship.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is the largest provider of publicly available scholarships in New Hampshire, awarding more than $8 million to nearly 1,800 students each year. Learn more about applying for a scholarship and opening a scholarship fund at the Foundation.