College Student Scholarships | Horace Smith Fund

The Walter S. Barr Scholarship

Our Walter S. Barr Scholarship opportunities for college students are available to students with at least two years left of undergraduate study. The Horace Smith Fund offers college student scholarships to residents in Hampden County who have also graduated from eligible Hampden County secondary schools.

These awards are determined using all available information, including school records, recommendations and examination scores. Consideration is given to both the merit and financial need of the applicant.

Scholarships are granted in the amount of $3,000 per academic year, paid in $1,500 installments each semester, and carry a maximum value of $12,000. Scholarships are automatically renewed each year provided a minimum GPA of 3.0 is maintained.

Instructions

Listed below are instructions to apply for Walter S. Barr Scholarships for current college students. Completed application and required documents must be received in the Horace Smith Fund office no later than March 15.

Step 1: High School And College Transcripts

You are responsible for having your official high school and college transcripts mailed to:

The Horace Smith Fund
Bismarck Place
16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K
Westfield, MA 01085

Alternatively, you may request your high school’s guidance department and college Registrar’s office email your transcripts to info@horacesmithfund.org.

Step 2: College Entrance Exams

College entrance exams are NOT required to apply for a Walter S. Barr Scholarship. However, if you have taken the SAT or ACT, please have your score report mailed to:

The Horace Smith Fund
Bismarck Place
16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K
Westfield, MA 01085

When requesting your SAT scores through the College Board, indicate you would like them to be sent to us by using our organization code 0017.

Step 3: Reference Forms

Three people, not relatives, should complete reference forms for you. If you are in your first semester of college when applying, at least two references should be from a high school counselor or teacher who is familiar with your ability and potential. A third reference can be from a college instructor with similar knowledge. Complete and submit the form online or download blank forms. If Mailing, PLEASE SEND ALL INFORMATION TO:

The Horace Smith Fund
Bismarck Place
16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K
Westfield, MA 01085

Step 4: Parent/Guardian Financial Statement Form

As of Fall 2018, we no longer accept FAFSA applications as proof of financial need. Complete and submit the form online or download blank forms. If Mailing, PLEASE SEND ALL INFORMATION TO:

The Horace Smith Fund
Bismarck Place
16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K
Westfield, MA 01085

Step 5: Application Form

Complete and submit the scholarship application online or download blank forms. DO NOT staple or permanently bind any of your application materials in any way. Completed application forms can be mailed to:

The Horace Smith Fund
Bismarck Place
16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K
Westfield, MA 01085

Step 1 of 6

Instructions for Walter S. Barr Scholarship Applicants IN COLLEGE

1. Complete and submit the scholarship application online or download blank forms. DO NOT staple or permanently bind any of your application materials in any way. If Mailing, PLEASE SEND ALL INFORMATION TO THE HORACE SMITH FUND AT THIS ADDRESS:

THE HORACE SMITH FUND 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2-K Westfield, MA 01085

2. Completed applications, letters of reference, and parent/guardian financial information must be received in The Horace Smith Fund office no later than March 15th.

3. The applicant is responsible for having official college and high school transcripts mailed to The Horace Smith Fund.

4. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the ACT and submit the scores to enhance their application. The College Board measures general verbal and quantitative reasoning with the SAT and measures achievement related to high school curricula with ACT. When registering for the examination or when completing a College Board transcript request form, please ask the College Board to send the scores to us indicating 0017 as the code number and “The Horace Smith Fund, 16 Union Avenue, Suite 2K, Westfield, MA 01085” as one of the institutions to which a score report should be sent.

5. Three persons, not relatives, should complete reference forms for you. At least one reference should be from a high school counselor or teacher, who is familiar with your ability and potential. A second and third reference should be from college instructors, who have similar knowledge of your work. Seek appropriate references from those who are willing to write about your accomplishments. Reference forms should be completed online or mailed by the person writing the reference to The Horace Smith Fund.

6. As of Fall 2018, we will no longer accept FAFSA applications as proof of financial need. All applicants must complete the Parent/Guardian Financial Statement located on our website. If applying as an independent student, please complete the form based on your own finances.

7. The “Personal Statement/Essay,” which is part of your application, is very important. The essay will help to distinguish you from other outstanding applicants. Your essay should present who you are and who you hope to become as you pursue your education and career goals.

8. Awards will be made based on all available information, including school records, recommendations, and examination scores. Consideration will be given to both the merit and financial need of the applicant.

PERSONAL DATA

Name(Required)

First Middle Name or Initial Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Email(Required)

Telephone(Required)

Cell Phone

High School(Required)

Graduation Year(Required)

College(Required)

Expected Year of Graduation(Required)

Major academic concentration

REFERENCES

List below the three persons, not relatives, whom you have asked to be your references.

At least one reference should be from a high school counselor or teacher, who is familiar with your ability and potential.

Name

First Last

Title

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Name

First Last

Title

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Name

First Last

Title

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Click Here to download the Reference Form. You are responsible for providing each recommender a paper copy of the form or the link to complete the Reference Form online. Reference forms must be completed online or mailed to The Horace Smith Fund.

Check this box to confirm you understand this step in the process.

PERSONAL APTITUDES AND INTERESTS

If you are in your fall semester of your first year, you may include information from your high school career.

List offices or leadership roles you have held in school, student organizations or in the community.

List your school activities (e.g., sports, music, theater, journalism, community service, etc.)

List your activities outside of school (e.g., community service, volunteer activities, Scouts, church organizations, clubs, etc.)

Describe awards or prizes that you have received for achievement at school or in the community.

List any special training you have received (e.g., music, art, martial arts, dance, sports, etc.)

PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAY

Personal Essay(Required)

This is an important essay that will distinguish you from other highly competent applicants. Please provide your thoughtful response on this sheet if sufficient space is provided or on an additional sheet if more space is required. Explain why you consider yourself a good applicant for the Walter S. Barr Scholarship. Include your most significant achievements, academic interests, subjects that you like best and the reasons that have led to your education and career goals.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE?

Please be as specific as possible in explaining what your intentions are following your graduation.

STUDENT FINANCES

List your work experience, including summers(Required)

Employer

Dates of Employment

Type of Work

Earnings

No work experience

If you have no work experience, explain why:

Your total savings from all sources(Required)

Using the official cost estimates for your first college choice (see below), complete the following projections for the first year.

College name(Required)

College location(Required)

Your Expenses(Required)

Tuition

Fees

Room & Board

Total Expenses(Required)

Your Resources(Required)

From your savings

From parents and-or others

Summer earnings

College aid: Grants

College aid: Work-study

College aid: Loans

Total Resources(Required)

List scholarships and grants, with approximate dollar value, that you currently receive.

Title

Approximate dollar value

Signature of applicant(Required)

Hidden

Date(Required)

For Current College Students

The Walter S. Barr Scholarship

Instructions

Step 1: High School And College Transcripts

Step 2: College Entrance Exams

Step 3: Reference Forms

Step 4: Parent/Guardian Financial Statement Form

Step 5: Application Form

PERSONAL DATA

REFERENCES

PERSONAL APTITUDES AND INTERESTS

PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAY

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE?

STUDENT FINANCES

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