The 2025 scholarship is $25,000. The inaugural scholarship of $2,500 was awarded in 2008. In subsequent years the award was increased significantly. Future scholarships will depend on the success of the fundraising and the return on the invested principal amount.

Click on this page’s “Apply” tab.

The deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is Monday, February 24, 2025.

Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship board members will select the winner in accordance with the criteria established by scholarship founders.

• Exceptional character, demonstrated by determination, good works, team play, and a positive outlook in the face of significant adversity.
• Evidence of significant personal growth and improvement while at Ridge High.
• Finally, preference will be given to students for whom receipt of the scholarship award will make a difference in the student’s future, although it is not strictly a need-based award.

Applicants may choose their own evidence of measures of character, determination, personal growth and improvement. GPA and SAT scores are considered only if applicants offer them as indicators of meeting these criteria.

No. Scholarship awards may be applied to any educational, vocational, or personal growth expenses. Recipients demonstrate character and courage — they’ll spend the grant wisely.

Recipients will be notified by email prior to May 1.

Knock yourself out. Just know that the selection committee will review the specified amount. After that, you’re on your own.

No.

Ridge AMS was founded in 2007 by alumni of the Class of 1967 to mark the 40th anniversary of their graduation and to honor their classmate, John Peterson, who died in Vietnam shortly after graduation and before his full potential could be realized. The fund also honors other classmates and all Ridge High School alumni who have passed away.

Lo siento, no. Te proporcionamos la aplicación en español para ayudarte, pero nadie en el comité de selección habla el idioma español lo suficientemente bien como para dar una consideración justa a tu ensayo. Pídate ayuda a tu consejero para localizar un traductor.

Yes.

Remember that you’re not talking to RHS faculty or staff. Your application will be reviewed by RHS alumni who have not attended Ridge in years and many no longer live in Basking Ridge. Spell out acronyms the Selection Committee might not recognize (examples: ELL, IEP, ICS, CP, LLD).

Describe any hyper-local references.

Ridge AMS welcomes gifts, matching gifts and pledges from anyone who shares its mission — Ridge alumni from any class, Ridge classes, parents, siblings, spouses and children of Ridge students who support this cause.

100%. Ridge AMS is an all-volunteer organization. All expenses – administration, web design, printed materials and even legal services – are donated by Ridge AMS organizers.

Yes. Please visit our “Donate” page.

Make your check payable to: “Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship.”

Ridge AMS, 777 Highland Ave., Piedmont, CA 94611

Yes. Ridge AMS will acknowledge your donation via email, and this message can serve as a receipt for income tax purposes.

Yes, donations may be tax deductible under applicable law, IRS 501(c)(3).

Annual scholarships are the goal of Ridge AMS. However, if no applicant fits the criteria or if the Fund’s assets are too low to support a grant, the scholarship fund board reserves the right to bypass a graduating class.

Yes. Let us know your plans by writing the total amount of your pledge on the donation form that you submit with your initial contribution. Also tell us the schedule of subsequent payments you are planning to make. We will be happy to send you email reminder notices.

Yes. Ridge AMS will help you take advantage of a matching gift program, and your donor level will be recorded as the sum of both gifts. Different employers have different procedures. You may need to request a matching gift request form from your human resources department, fill out your information, sign the form, and then send the form to us along with the Ridge AMS donation form and your check. We will fill out our portion of your employer’s form and send it back to your employer for processing. Alternatively, your employer may want to contact us directly. After your employer determines our eligibility, your employer may send its matching gift check to us.

Yes. Planned giving would include naming Ridge AMS in wills, trusts or split interest gifts. Consult your financial advisor to learn more about your planned giving options.

Yes. Donation of appreciated shares of a mutual fund or a stock can be a tax-efficient alternative to a cash gift. You will be able to deduct the current market value of the gift for income tax purposes, and you will avoid capital gains taxes you would have owed if you had sold the assets.