Beginning Friday, January 2, 2026, the Scranton Area Community Foundation invites students to apply online for eligible scholarship opportunities through our online scholarship portal.
This year, over 60 scholarships are available to graduating high school students and current college students for a variety of studies and interests, including but not limited to:
- Volunteer-based scholarships
- Athletic scholarships
- Academic/merit-based scholarships
- Technical school scholarships
- Major-based scholarships
- High school & college-specific scholarships
- And many more!
Detailed information about all available scholarship opportunities can be found here. Interested students may apply through the 2026 SACF Scholarships Common Application in our online scholarship portal starting January 2nd, 2026.
About the James F. Swift Scholarship
The James F. Swift Scholarship provides 20 Lackawanna County high school students each year with $6,000/yr (renewable for a total of 4 years) for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
Interested students may apply for the James F. Swift Scholarship through the 2026 SACF Scholarships Common Application in our online scholarship portal starting January 2nd, 2026.
All 2026 scholarship applications are due March 1st, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Scholarship decisions will be announced in June.
Since 2008, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $5 million to over 340 local students. Established in 2002 through a generous gift from Mr. James F. Swift, and later strengthened by a significant estate gift following his passing in 2006, the fund continues to open doors to higher education for students graduating from Lackawanna County high schools.
Interested in Supporting Scholarships?
Scholarships at the Scranton Area Community Foundation are made possible through the generosity of individuals and families who believe in the power of education to change lives.
The Foundation works closely with donors to establish and steward scholarship funds that reflect their values, honor loved ones, support specific fields of study, or assist students from particular schools or communities. Our team provides guidance on fund design, eligibility criteria, administration, and long-term sustainability—making it easy to create a meaningful and lasting legacy.
If you are interested in learning more about establishing or supporting a scholarship fund, we invite you to connect with a member of our team at info@safdn.org to explore the options available.