Somersworth student receives Orphan of Veterans Scholarship

CONCORD- The New Hampshire Department of Education has awarded a $2,500 grant to University of New Hampshire student Kathryn Routhier of Somersworth through the Orphans of Veterans Scholarship program. The Legislature established the program to assist with college expenses for children of service members killed in the line of duty or of service-related illnesses. Routhier may use the $2,500 scholarship to offset the cost of books and supplies, housing, meals, or any other college expense.

“I am very excited to hear that I was awarded the scholarship,” Routhier said. Kathryn's mother was an Army Veteran of the War on Terror and passed away due to a service-related illness in 2018.

“The Orphans of Veterans Scholarship program is a small way we can honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country, and assist their children to find paths to bright futures,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “I thank Kathryn Routhier for her mother’s service and sacrifice, and wish her the best as she continues her education.”

RSA 193:19 was established in 1943 to give children of soldiers who lost their lives during World War II the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend college. The program has been updated numerous times to cover other wars and conflicts through the Gulf War. In 1981, the law was updated to allow orphaned children of veterans to also obtain free tuition to the University System of New Hampshire colleges and universities and the Community College System of New Hampshire. The Orphans of Veterans Scholarship program may issue up to four $2,500 grants each year.

For more information about the application process and records needed to qualify, contact RuthAnn Campbell at the Division of Higher Education, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301 or via email at ruthann.campbell@doe.nh.gov. For interviews with Kathryn Routhier, please contact Grant Bosse at grant.d.bosse@doe.nh.gov, who will forward your request to her.