Scholarships & Funding

capitol building

NESMA is pleased to help direct its members toward a wide variety of resources designed to help their employees and businesses:

2024 NESMA Scholarships Fund – $2500 Each

Deadline is March 8, 2024

Promoting education for up and coming students and professionals within the industry is an important part of NESMA’s mission. Throughout the year, NESMA holds events to raise money for its scholarship program.

NESMA Scholarship at Main Street Community Foundation #1

Awarded to a graduating senior attending high school in a New England state (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).

For program highlights and eligibility requirements please download the complete PDF file here

NESMA Scholarship at Main Street Community Foundation #2

Awarded to a graduating senior, currently enrolled student or student returning to school who is a child or grandchild of an employee or owner of a NESMA member company in good standing.

For program highlights and eligibility requirements please download the complete PDF file here

Stanley P. Bitel Memorial Fund

2024 Deadline Date: TBD

This 10k scholarship was established in 2015 through gifts from family and friends to honor the life of Stanley P. Bitel, the founder of Rowley Spring and Stamping Corporation in Bristol which was founded in 1954. He personified entrepreneurial spirit, continual learning and self achievement all characteristics that should be displayed by the recipient.

High school students or continuing learners can apply for this scholarship to aid in tuition for careers in manufacturing. Qualified training includes: apprenticeship programs, technical education, trade schools, or 4 year degree in business or engineering as it relates to careers in manufacturing.

For program highlights and eligibility requirements please download the complete PDF file here

Ray Machine Corp./Ray & Darlene Lassy Family Fund

Ray Lassy, a longtime resident of Plymouth, established this scholarship fund in 2017 to assist students who have the same passion he did. Working for over 50 years in a field he loved, Ray started a small tool and die business in the basement of his parents’ house while working at a machining manufacturer. He eventually opened his own shop in Terryville before expanding the business to Ray Machine Corporation, also located in Terryville. Ray held several patents for parts he designed and tooled and was passionate about the work he did.

This scholarship is available to residents of Plymouth or Terryville who are graduating high school seniors of Terryville High School and are pursuing post-secondary education and/or training in the field of field of precision machining, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing and design.

For the complete list of all scholarships available