When Dan and Kate Relihan first read The Boston Globe’s “Valedictorian Project” – a series examining what happened to some of Boston’s highest-achieving students after high school – one finding stood out: even the city’s brightest students often struggled to complete college due to financial barriers. That realization sparked an idea. 

 

The Relihans believe that local action and access to quality education could be powerful drivers of change. But they also recognized that financial aid alone is not enough to help students thrive in higher education. Students also need mentorship, guidance, and a strong support network: this is what led them to Summer Search, and to ultimately create the Advance Boston Scholarship. 

 

The first cohort of Advance Boston Scholarship recipients were selected in 2024. Today, 8 Summer Searchers have been granted the scholarship, attending schools including UMass Amherst, Tufts, Boston University, MIT, Pomona College, Vassar, Boston College, and Bryn Mawr. For recipients like Neidy, the scholarship has been transformative. “The scholarship allows me to be fully immersed in my experiences and academics without financial worry, which is invaluable,” she shared.

 

Fellow scholarship recipient Tern echoed that sentiment: “The Advance Boston Scholarship means so much to me. It means not having to worry about college being another financial burden on my family, it means being able to have my full brain power on school and not having to worry about working multiple jobs, and most importantly, it means that someone else believes in and is invested in my success.”

 

 

 

 

Together, these stories highlight the scholarship’s impact beyond financial support, providing students with the stability, confidence, and encouragement they need to thrive in college.

 

 

The scholarship is designed to help fill critical financial gaps that tuition-only scholarships often leave behind, including room and board, books, and other essential college expenses. It is also renewable for up to four years, helping students maintain stability throughout their college journey. The Relihans shared: 

 

“Meeting the Summer Search students has shown us the incredible resilience and talent of the next generation. We were inspired to do our part in minimizing the barriers that students face transitioning to post-secondary education. By pairing financial aid with Summer Search’s excellent mentorship, we proudly support these Advance Boston Scholarship recipients as they grow into the leaders our communities need. We encourage others to join us in supporting Summer Search’s mission to empower the next generation.” 

 

The Relihans have also committed additional support directly to Summer Search, recognizing the significant staff time and resources required to administer the scholarship and provide ongoing support to recipients. 

 

The Advance Boston Scholarship application process includes a review of applications by a volunteer selection committee made up of Summer Search alumni, donors, and community volunteers. Based on committee rankings, finalists move on to in-person interviews with the Relihans and Summer Search Boston’s Director of Programs. 

 

These conversations explore each student’s Summer Search journey, financial need, academic preparedness, career aspirations, and commitment to follow-through and personal growth. The process reflects the core belief behind the scholarship itself: investing in students as whole people with enormous potential. 

 

The Advance Boston Scholarship is a testament to the amazing things that can happen when people see a problem and decide to create a solution. The Relihan’s investment is personal – so much so that they host a dinner each year for previous scholarship recipients. 

 

As we celebrate 30 years of Summer Search Boston, the Relihans’ Advance Boston Scholarship is a prime example of the kind of ideas and community that power our work.  For more information about becoming a supporter of the Advance Boston Scholarship, please contact Sam Larkan at slarkan@summersearch.org.