ALKU Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mass Mentoring

The ALKU Scholarship, a $30,000 college scholarship for upcoming high school seniors, was established in 2015 by Mark Eldridge, CEO of ALKU and Board Member of MMP. This scholarship, made possible through Mark's leadership and generosity, offers young people the chance to apply for financial assistance as they embark on their college journey.

ALKU and MMP have joined forces to provide financial aid, with the goal of enhancing the ability of organizations to link young people to a wider network of support. This partnership aims to leverage the opportunities provided by existing mentoring relationships and remove any obstacles to future academic, economic, or social success.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must:

• Be enrolled in a Massachusetts high school
• Be an upcoming high school senior (i.e., Class of 2026 / student will be a high school senior starting in Fall 2025)
• Be applying to a four-year, accredited institution to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in any field
• Have been involved in a quality mentoring relationship for at least one year. This mentoring relationship can be with any adult, excluding the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, who provides caring, consistent guidance and support
• Be able to exhibit outstanding leadership skills and a dedication to their communities

Since its inception in 2015, ALKU has collaborated with Mass Mentoring Partnership annually to award a $30,000 academic scholarship, or $7,500 per academic year, to an upcoming high school senior in Massachusetts. The scholarship recipient has been positively influenced by a youth-adult mentoring relationship for at least one year and intends to attend a 4-year College or University.

At ALKU, we recognize the transformative power of mentoring. Our corporate mission is to equip our employees with the tools and resources they need to advance their careers. By actively participating in mentoring initiatives, we can leverage our resources and the values we cherish to empower those in need. ALKU selected mentoring as its cause due to the significant impact a single positive youth-adult mentoring relationship can have on a young person's life.

This scholarship offers young people the chance to apply for financial aid as they strive to attend college and earn a bachelor's degree.

This year, the ALKU Scholarship will be granted to one recipient. The scholarship will amount to $30,000, distributed over four years.

All application materials must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on September 25, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Guidelines & Criteria

Students are required to complete their own applications, although mentors may provide assistance. Applicants must be enrolled in a Massachusetts high school and be upcoming seniors (Class of 2026 / student will be a high school senior in Fall 2025). Applicants must plan to apply to a four-year, accredited institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in any field, starting in Fall 2026. Only students expected to graduate high school in 2026 are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Eligible applicants must have been involved in a quality youth-adult mentoring relationship for at least one year. This mentoring relationship can be with any adult, excluding the applicant's parent or legal guardian, who provides caring, consistent guidance and support.

Applications must include one (1) letter of recommendation from the applicant’s mentor. This letter should detail how the student has benefited from their mentoring relationship, the student's educational goals and challenges, and why they deserve this scholarship.

Applicants should upload one (1) photograph of themselves with their mentor.

*Note, the photograph will not be shown to the review committee, but may be used in event materials if selected as the 2025 ALKU Scholar. If you are unable to provide a photo at this time, we will only ask you to provide one if you are selected.

Applicants must have an average GPA of 2.75 or higher. If selected as a finalist, the applicant must provide a copy of their high school transcript verifying their GPA.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated need for scholarship
2. Clear desire, motivation, and passion to attend college/university (please indicate a post-secondary education plan, if applicable)
3. Establishment of impactful mentoring relationship
4. Demonstrated and detailed work and/or leadership experience outside of school (employment, internships, volunteer work, community involvement)

If awarded, Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) requires the following:

1. Signed ALKU Scholarship Award Letter of acceptance
2. Signed Media Consent Form (must be signed by parent/guardian if scholar is under the age of 18)
3. Attendance by scholar and mentor at Mass Mentoring Partnership’s signature Cheers to Mentoring event on November 18, 2025. At this event, Mark Eldridge, ALKU CEO and founder of the ALKU Scholarship, alongside other ALKU employees, will be there to present the winning scholar with the award.
4. Winning scholar will be expected to attend an annual meeting with previous ALKU scholarship winners.
5. Winning scholar must provide yearly updates on college GPA. Scholars must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 to maintain their scholarship award.

Scholarship Use: The award must be used for the student’s educational pursuits, such as college tuition, books, or other materials and expenses necessary for college.

Disbursement: The award will be disbursed in $3,750 increments, once per semester, over the scholar's consecutive four years in college, totaling $30,000. The scholarship funds must be used within four years, beginning in Fall 2026, and ending in Spring 2030. If necessary, a one-year extension may be granted. This request would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Accessibility: We strive to make this application process accessible for all applicants. For any requests or needs regarding accessibility, accommodations, modifications, or specific preferences we should be aware of to ensure your experience is accessible, positive, and supported, please contact Olivia Taylor at otaylor@massmentors.org.