Scholarships

A longstanding component of the DCA mission is providing college scholarships to Darien High School (DHS) graduates.

Celebrating our 78th year of granting scholarships, the DCA awards at least $50,000 each year. Since its inception, the DCA scholarship program has provided over $2 million in funding to more than 1,300 DHS graduates. The DCA is the largest provider of scholarships to DHS graduates — with funding for both new and returning college students — and the only DHS scholarship program offering recipients the opportunity to reapply for all four years of college.

Scholarships are based on both merit and need, and are funded by a wide range of DCA programs – from our Thrift Shop to our Academic Lecture Series to house rentals — and with the support of donations including those of our named scholarship sponsors. Congratulations to all our recipients! See a complete listing of our Class of 2019 awardees and sponsors.

“I sincerely appreciate your support and recognition of my past accomplishments as well as my future goals. I am forever grateful for your generosity and will be in contact in the months to come. Thank you again.”

“My heart was missing a part since I lost my mom. I never thought that I was going to get that love and care back…Darien has picked me up. Darien has brought me back to life…You are part of my family. You are part of my life and I thank you so much for everything you are doing for me. I know that one day I will make you all proud of me…”

“My kids are sooooo happy at their colleges! Happy kids = happy Mom! I can’t thank the DCA enough for your support for our family. Not only have the scholarships helped out monetarily, but even more so, the kids are proud to have received them.”

“Thank you so much for seeing something in me worthy of this most gracious gift…I could not be any more grateful that you’ve made my college dreams that much more of a reality. Again, thank you so much and I hope you’ll continue to bless young adults the way you’ve blessed me.”

“My greatest loves are writing, reading and discussion, and you have helped make it possible to pursue these passions…I hope one day my education will allow me to support other students, as you have me.”

“Thank you so much for your generosity. It means so much to my family and me that I can continue my education, and the scholarship is truly an honor to receive.”

“With your generous grant, not only am I one step closer to achieving my college degree, but also to obtaining valuable skills that will last a lifetime.”

“It’s nothing short of a dream come true that with this scholarship (as well as the others I’ve received), going to Middlebury is now a reality.”

The Darien Times article “DCA Scholarships Assist with Rising Tuition Costs” provides additional detail on DCA scholarships, and the significant need in our community. To hear what some of our recipients have to say about the impact of a DCA scholarship, please see our Testimonials page.

The scholarship program, including interviews and selection of recipients, is managed by the dedicated volunteers on our Scholarship Committee: Kate Larson (Co-chairman), Susan Vogel (Co-chairman), Joan Barksdale, Kristen Harnisch, Ulla Kremer, Judi Linskey, and Pat van den Broek.

For more information, please contact scholarships@dariendca.org.

Click here to see our DCA Scholarship brochure.

DCA Recognizes Named Scholarship Sponsors

‘Scholarship Stories’ event celebrates 77 years of DCA scholarships

The DCA recently hosted an evening reception thanking the local businesses, families and foundations who sponsor named college scholarships through the DCA.

Our college scholarship program for Darien High School (DHS) graduates is a longstanding philanthropic tradition, now in its 77^th year. The DCA is the largest provider of scholarships at DHS. This past spring, the DCA awarded over $60,000 in scholarship grants.

The highlight of the evening was remarks from three past DCA scholarship recipients, representing a range of ages and backgrounds. These speakers included Althea Perley (DHS Class of 2011), Tricia Rogers Prokop (DHS Class of 2001) and Susan Harrington Hamill (DHS Class of 1976). Rogers, who now has her doctorate and teaches at the University of Hartford in their doctoral physical therapy program, said “As a college student, I was grateful for the DCA scholarship. As a professor who is working with graduate students who are academically successful but may be struggling with the costs, I have an even greater appreciation for the support I received.”

Several special guests were recognized during the evening as well, including DHS Principal Ellen Dunn.

Click here to read the full press release about our event.