About Us

Since its establishment in 1989 Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars, has awarded over $1.906 million to 1258 Taconic Hills Graduates.

The Chapter is run exclusively by community volunteers and is not affiliated with the Taconic Hills Central School District.   We strongly believe in the value of higher education for each student who desires to pursue it in trade schools, 2 year or 4 year Colleges. 

Additionally, there are nearly 50 named Scholarships given annually that have been provided by various interested Community Members through endowments, gifts or local fundraisers such as Alumni Basketball, Soccer and Softball games and other activities.

While we are best known for our College/Trade School Scholarships for each year’s Senior Class, we also support:

  • The Extern Program that allows underclass students to explore choices that could lead to an intended career supported by post-graduation education or enhance their academic or personal skills to help them to be a better student or participant in their school community.

  • The Gavin C. Gray Memorial Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students. This scholarship is awarded to non-traditional students; adults returning to college and working towards an undergraduate degree, certification or license to advance in a current job or prepare for another job.  The Recipient must be over 21 years old who is a Taconic Hills School District resident or a current Taconic Hills School District employee, (regardless of where the employee lives). 

The money in our scholarship program comes from: our annual fall appeal to the community with the fall solicitation letter, a spring phone-a-thon, service organizations and businesses; corporate donations and matching grants; honorary donations; memorial donations; land donations; and bequests.

Dollars for Scholars also serves as an umbrella for the administration of outside scholarship funds when an agreement is reached between the existing scholarship program and Dollars for Scholars. The general criteria for scholarships is based upon scholarship criteria, merit and financial need. We endeavor to find a balance amongst these three values. We endeavor to "spread the generosity" of our community amongst as many students as possible. 

Recipients of Dollars for Scholars awards are determined by the Selection Committee, using Scholarship America chapter guidelines.  The committee consists of Dollars for Scholars Board Members and community members at large who have no interest with any potential recipients.

Students submit applications that are scored by the Selection Committee on the basis of merit and need. Need is determined by outside sources, so that committee members do not receive financial records of individual families.

Please visit our website page for information and on Scholarship Criteria and Deadlines and how to create a Scholarship.  Keep current of our announcements by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

All contributions are tax deductible as we are a 501(c)3 organization.

dfs

Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars
PO Box 1119
Philmont, NY 12565
Phone: 518.755.0900
Email: 
taconichillsdfs@outlook.com

Program Information

Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars (DFS) is a community foundation that raises scholarship funds to support student access to higher education.
Since it was started by local volunteers in 1989, Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars has awarded $1.835 million to 1225 Taconic Hills Graduates. THDFS proudly celebrated another successful year at our May 15, 2018 Awards Ceremony. The Chapter is run by community volunteers and is always looking for interested people to help us.

Please visit the new Dollars for Scholars website at:
TaconicHills.dollarsforscholars.org

Please see the website for the most current information on:

  • The Scholarship Application process (See Students & Parents page)

  • Information on the Extern Scholarship Process (see Students & Parents Page)

  • Information on The Gavin C. Gray Memorial Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students (see Students & Parents Page)

  • The “Extern Scholarship Program”. Through this program, DFS will provide financial support for a student’s participation in a variety of extra-curricular enrichment programs. (See Student & Parent Page)

  • Information on how to Donate or to set up a scholarship in honor of a friend or family member (See the “About us” Page)

Please keep up on current information on our Facebook Page: Taconic Hills Dollars for Scholars and Instagram at taconichillsdfs.

Click here for DFS Parent Letter