Shawn Meaike, an entrepreneur who graduated from Eastern in 1995, launched Family First Life, a national network of companies marketing life insurance, retirement planning and investments, in 2013. He has since directed the rapid expansion of the company, and in 2014 made a gift from it to launch the Family First Life scholarship. The scholarship was endowed in 2016 following additional company gifts. It is awarded, at a minimum of $500, to a student(s) from New London County with financial need and in good academic standing.

Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA by March 1