The Esther H. Ludwig scholarship has offered great financial assistance for Hamburg students each year. This scholarship was specially made to help make post-secondary education affordable for students who reside within the local tax boundaries. If a Hamburg Area High School senior resides in the Borough of Hamburg, Shoemakersville, and Strausstown or in the Townships of Upper Tulpehocken, Upper Bern, Perry, Windsor, or Tilden and has a cumulative GPA of 2.5, they are eligible to apply. 

     Esther Ludwig was a resident of Perry Township for most of her life. Her generous spirit is still living on today in the form of her scholarship, of which comes from her inheritance that she wanted to pass on to future generations.  She wanted to make higher education more accessible for those who wanted more from their lives, but did not have the means to do so. Hundreds of Hamburg Area High School students have been granted this scholarship to help make college and trade school a reality in their lives thanks to the generosity of this Hamburg donor. 

     Senior Angelina Carsto appreciates this scholarship because it is helping her afford college. “I’m grateful that it cuts back on school expenses because my family hasn’t always had money to help me with college,” says Carsto. “There are people who don’t have much money and still want to go to school, and if the money wasn’t a problem more people could go to college, so it’s nice that this scholarship gives them more of an opportunity.” 

     The scholarship can also be applied for the student’s entire duration of their academic career. For those who plan to attend college for four years, they can continue to apply each year they are in school. 

     Hamburg students are incredibly grateful for Esther’s generosity as they move on to the next phase of their academic journeys.