The William R. Rooney Award
The William R. Rooney Award provides scholarship awards for high school seniors with disabilities. This award is named after William R. Rooney, a long-time educator and former Executive Secretary of The Horace Smith Fund, who advocated for financial assistance for students with special needs.
In general, these scholarships exist to provide college funding to students who possess cognitive, behavioral or emotional impediments that may make it difficult to attain a degree. That’s why, each academic year, we provide one award to a graduating high school senior who is currently on and has been on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Accommodation Plan for a minimum of two years. To qualify, students must be a resident of Hampden County, MA, enrolled in an eligible high school and anticipate attending either a two- or four-year accredited college full time.
Awards are determined using all available information including academic records, college entrance examination scores, general attainments, recommendations, and financial need. The awards continue through the four-year course if justified by the student’s record and need. Students with disabilities should complete the William R. Rooney Award application and submit a copy of their full, current and signed IEP or 504 Plan, in addition to the other required documents. Students who qualify and apply for this award are not eligible to apply for the Walter S. Barr Scholarship.
Awards are granted in the amount of $3,000 per academic year, paid in $1,500 installments each semester, and carry a maximum value of up to $12,000. Awards may be automatically renewed each year, provided a minimum GPA of 3.0 is maintained.
Instructions
Listed below are instructions to apply for William R. Rooney Award for high school seniors with disabilities. Awards will be based on all available information, including academic records, recommendations, and examination scores. Consideration will be given to both the merit and financial need of the applicant.
Completed application, letters of reference, high school transcript, and IEP or 504 Plan must be received in the Horace Smith Fund office no later than March 15th. If you receive your college’s financial aid package (school-awarded scholarships, grants, work/study) after your application is submitted to us and prior to March 15th, please forward the information to our office.
DO NOT staple or permanently bind any of your application materials in any way.
Step 1: Official High School Transcript
Applicants are responsible for having an official high school transcript mailed to the address below. Alternatively, you may request to have your school’s guidance department email your transcript directly to info@horacesmithfund.org. If you are applying before your first marking period has ended, please have your transcript sent after grades have been finalized.
The Horace Smith Fund Bismarck Place 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K Westfield, MA 01085
Step 2: IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan
You are required to submit a current and signed copy of your IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan for your application to be considered complete. Please request your school counselor email this document to info@horacesmithfund.org or mail to:
The Horace Smith Fund Bismarck Place 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K Westfield, MA 01085
Step 3: College Entrance Exams
Applicants are encouraged to take the SAT or the ACT and submit scores to enhance their application. The College Board measures general verbal and quantitative reasoning with the SAT, and the ACT measures achievement related to high school curricula. When registering for the SAT or requesting your scores through College Board, indicate you would like them sent to us electronically by using our organization code of 0017. If you have taken the ACT, please have your score report mailed to:
The Horace Smith Fund Bismarck Place 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K Westfield, MA 01085
Step 4: Reference Forms
Three people, not relatives, should complete reference forms for you. At least two references should be from a high school guidance counselor and teacher in charge of your IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan and who are familiar with your ability and potential. Seek appropriate references from those who are willing to write about your accomplishments. You are responsible for sending your recommenders a link to the Rooney Award Reference Form. Alternatively, you can download blank forms and provide them with a paper copy. If mailing, please send all information to:
The Horace Smith Fund Bismarck Place 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K Westfield, MA 01085
Step 5: Personal Statement/Essay and Application
The personal statement, which is part of your application, is very important. This 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. Avoid a mere relisting of activities that are presented elsewhere in the application. List any extenuating financial circumstances that you think may impede your ability to attend college. Your academic records, activities, and recommendations will define your merit; your statement in the essay will provide the impact of this scholarship on your financial need.
Complete and submit the scholarship application online or download blank forms. Completed applications can be mailed to:
The Horace Smith Fund Bismarck Place 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K Westfield, MA 01085
Applications are closed.