Frequently Asked Questions

What do I have to do to qualify?
You must meet all of the requirements to graduate from Chelsea High School. You must complete an application, including an essay. You must show proof of acceptance to an institution of higher learning.

Do I have to be accepted to a 4 year college to qualify?
No. All students who are continuing their educations will be considered. Preference however may be given to those students who will be attending a four year college or university.

Who gets the money?
Each student selected will get the money individually. The money will not go to the school.

How much money will I receive?
You will receive $2,000.00 in two $1,000.00 installments.

When will I receive the money?
You will receive the first $1,000.00 at graduation. You will receive the second $1,000.00 once you have successfully completed your first semester and show evidence of continuing with your second semester.

Will I have to show receipts for how I have used the money?
No. This money is being awarded on the honor system. We believe in showing respect and trust in the individuals we select.

How many students will receive awards?
Up to 15 students per year will receive the award.

Can I apply more than once?
Yes. You can apply again at the end of your freshman year.

Where can I get the application?
You can get the application from your Guidance Counselor at Chelsea High School. You can download it here, or you can call 617-889-6900 and have it sent to you.

Who can I call if I have questions?
You can email Patricia Simboli at psimboli@acsdevelopment.com or you can call her at 617-889-0900.

Are there other requirements?
You must give your institution authority to release your first semester transcript.

Will this limit other scholarship monies that I might receive?
While we can not definitively comment on each school's financial aid policies, this award is designed specifically not to limit scholarship monies. These funds are for non-tuition based use.

Who is the Simboli Family?
The Simboli Family began developing in Chelsea in 1984, when no other real estate developers were interested in the City. Anthony C. Simboli, the founder of ACS Development Corporation is a graduate of Boston College with a B.S. in Science and a M.A in Philosophy. He received a teaching fellowship for graduate school and was also known for his ability to help other students by publishing class notes and selling them for $.75 a copy through the Boston College bookstore. He also worked his way through undergraduate school at a printing company. When he would work the printing presses in the evening, he would tape index cards to the sides of the machine so he could study while he worked. He would hitch hike as often as possible and then walk the remaining distance from the North End of Boston to Boston College, all to save $.10, the cost of the trolley. Throughout graduate school, he never bought text books. Instead he would check out the books from the Boston Public Library every thirty days. When he graduated from Boston College, he worked for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C. and Japan. He then started his own business. For a complete biography, please click here click here.

His oldest child, Patricia, graduated from Bowdoin College and attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for her M.B.A. Somewhat like her father, she had her graduate tuition paid for by her employer. She traveled from New York City to Philadelphia every other week-end for two years, on the train, to attend classes on Friday and Saturday.

His only son, Anthony J. graduated from Princeton University and attended the Center for Real Estate at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology and received his Masters degree.

Like their father, Patricia and Anthony know their educations have greatly contributed to the quality of their lives. Both are actively involved in supporting education in different ways. Patricia is a Trustee of the Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge and the Neighborhood Charter School in Dorchester. She is a former Trustee of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School in Cambridge. Anthony is actively involved at the Belmont Hill School in Belmont and Squash Busters in Boston.

Why did they did they set up this award in Chelsea?
All of the members of the Simboli Family believe their educations have had a tremendously positive influence on their lives. They want to ensure that young people today feel that they are supported to pursue their academic dreams so that they may have the same feeling and receive many benefits. They believe that education has an enormous ripple effect for individual students, within families and within communities.

After developing Harbour Executive Park in 1984, the Simboli Family decided in 1990 to move their corporate headquarters from Wakefield to Chelsea. In the past few years, the Simboli Family has quietly been increasing its commitment to the city. It started first by targeting scholarship monies at Boston College to Chelsea residents and now it has made another step by setting up this award.

The Simboli Family has in many ways over the past 17 years given back to the City of Chelsea and at this time, they wanted to make a long lasting and personal commitment to the City which they felt both met a need and fit with their devotion to education.