The Cooper Kelley Education Fund was established in 1913 through the generosity and foresight of Charles Cooper and Elizabeth Kelley. It was established to help local Bennington County male and female students achieve their educational goals through full time bachelors or associates degree programs and or specialized training programs.
The Charles Cooper Industrial School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Vermont, and registered with the Vermont Secretary of State.
Money is loaned annually throughout a student’s full-time college life and is interest free. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after the student leaves school or completion of certificate program. The repayment period is the same as the loan period. Therefore, a student taking a loan for four years of college education would have four years to pay back the loan.
The organization offers loans to an average of 30 to 40 students annually. Individual loan amounts range between $1,800.00 and $2,200.00 interest free annually.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Complete the application
• High school transcript and must have a 2.0 GPA
• Provide 3 references
• Return the application to the provided address with a $25.00 application fee.
• Personal interview
• Once a loan is approved, the student and two co-signers must sign a promissory note.
If approved, monies will be distributed to the post-secondary institution.
