Berkshire Bank Announces 2016 Scholarship Awards Program

Scholarships Available for Students with Commitment to Volunteerism

PITTSFIELD, MASS, January 7, 2016 – Berkshire Bank has announced it will honor 30 high school seniors in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Vermont for their volunteer service through their foundation’s annual Scholarship Awards Program. The program will award $45,000 in total scholarship dollars to students who have exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts, have succeeded academically and demonstrate a financial need. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a county with a Berkshire Bank office.  

Through the program, 30 scholarships of $1,500 will be awarded to high school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college in the fall.  Applications are evaluated based on the student’s record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing and financial need.  Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a family household income under $75,000 to be eligible to apply.  Students must apply online by Wednesday March 23, 2016. An independent team of more than 200 bank employee volunteers will review the applications and select this year’s recipients. 

Scholarships will be awarded in the geographic regions where Berkshire Bank branches are located, with fourteen (14) available in Massachusetts, eleven (11) in New York, two (2) in Connecticut, and (3) in Vermont. Students may apply online though the Bank’s website at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships.  To be considered, all applications must be submitted online by March 23rd at 4:00 p.m.  Additional information about this year’s program can be obtained through the bank’s website or by contacting Berkshire Bank Foundation at scholarshipinfo@berkshirebank.com.

The scholarship awards program is an extension of the bank’s corporate values and belief that promoting volunteerism at a young age will lead to ongoing community involvement. Besides the scholarship awards, Berkshire provides over $2 million dollars in financial support annually through their charitable foundations and corporate support to invest in the community. Berkshire also operates the XTEAM®, its nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program which boasts a 70% participation rate amongst employees who donate in excess of 40,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations across the bank’s footprint each year. Berkshire Bank has received numerous accolades for their overall philanthropic work and civic responsibility efforts during the past year including being named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business journal for the third consecutive year. 

About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundations donates nearly $1.8 million to non-profits in the bank’s footprint and employees provide over 40,000 hours of service —all on the company dime. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. This year, Berkshire Bank and NESN are teaming up to raise $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity by donating funds to the Hockey 4 Housing campaign each time the Boston Bruins achieve a penalty kill. To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community 

About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®.  The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $7.5 billion in assets and 93 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services.  In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal.   To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.  Berkshire Bank, is the official bank of NESN’s Boston Bruins coverage