Jacob Pilgrim, a 2008 graduate of Pepperell High School, has been selected as a Robert C. Byrd Scholar. Each scholar is eligible for a $1500 scholarship to be used for tuition costs at any college or university. The award is renewable for up to three additional years. The Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program is a federally funded program established to promote student excellence and achievement and to recognize exceptionally able students who show promise of continued excellence. The program is administered in Georgia by the state Department of Education.

The U. S. Congress appropriates the funds for the program and the awards are automatically renewed if: 1) Congress appropriates the funds, 2) the student maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college, 3) the student attends full-time, 4) the total amount of federal financial assistance received does not exceed the cost of attendance, and 5) the student attends an eligible institution.