MANCHESTER — The Fisher Cats handed out $30,000 — more than the average minor-league salary — to a dozen college-bound students before Thursday's game against the Erie SeaWolves.

Ten athletes from New Hampshire high schools and two from Massachusetts were presented with $2,500 checks from the Fisher Cats Foundation, which has doled out more than $1.87 million in monetary and in-kind donations.

Recipients were selected based on academic excellence, athletic achievement and active citizenship in the community.

Much of the foundation's scholarship money has been raised through the annual Granite State Baseball Dinner held annually in November.

Lauren Seitz of Deerfield, a Trinity High of Manchester graduate, will be using the funds to make a dent in her tuition bill at Syracuse University. Seitz, active in Habitat for Humanity, Kids for the Cure and Girls Scouts, will study bioengineering.

“It really means a lot to be recognized for everything I've done. It's really going to help out,” she said.

Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon, chairman of the Fisher Cats Foundation board, established the foundation shortly after buying the team in 2006.

“We are proud to recognize each of these students,” Solomon said. “These students displayed a tremendous dedication in the classroom, on the playing field, and in making their communities better. We wish them the best of luck as they begin their collegiate careers.”

Samuel Irwin of Nashua North won the Chris Carpenter Scholarship Award, given to a student who has overcome a significant barrier. Timothy Carter of Bedford High won the Easter Seals Veterans County Scholarship, presented to a New Hampshire graduate whose parent or guardian is an active, reserve or veteran member of the military.

Other 2012 winners include Emma Cook, Littleton; Alyssa Cramb, Goffstown; Sara Gaudet, Londonderry; Meredith Grady, Coe-Brown of Northwood, Kyle Mooney, Woodsville; Evan Pugliese, Portsmouth; Steven Tau, Manchester Memorial; Ryan Eatherton, Tewksbury (Mass.) High; Connor Perry, Catholic Central High, Haverhill, Mass.