A scholarship foundation at Freeport High School has received a huge funding boost to help young adults on their path through higher education.

The Freeport High School Scholarship Foundation received $3.2 million from Norman Stetson, who left the money to create a scholarship in memory of his parents, Walter and Louise.

The Freeport High School Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit that awards scholarships only to Freeport High School graduates. The Regional School Unit 5 School Board voted earlier this month to transfer the Stetson money to the Freeport High School Scholarship Foundation, with the board of the foundation managing the funds.

According to Jennifer Galletta, president of the Freeport High School Scholarship Foundation, the foundation must give out 4% of its funding per year. Before the large donation from Stetson, the foundation had around $1.5 million available, giving out two per year. Each recipient receives $5,000 for each year of college, up to $20,000.

“Because we just received this money, we created a transition team on our board, which will look at exactly how many scholarships we will be giving out moving forward based on that additional money,” Galletta said.

Galletta said the Freeport High School Scholarship Foundation will be able to increase the number of scholarships offered to its students, but has yet to determine how many it will give out or in what amount.

Any Freeport High School junior or senior can apply through the school. The Freeport scholarship board meets to review the applications, and once the selection has been made, the students are paired with a mentor to support them through their college years.