SPRINGFIELD – The Horace Smith Fund, now in its 116th year, has scholarship and fellowship money available for graduates of Hampden County public and private high schools. Scholarships awards of $10,000 are distributed as $2,500 annually and renewable each year until graduation. Fellowship awards of $12,000 are distributed as $4,000 annually and renewable for two additional years. Students must maintain at least a B average in college.
Recipients are selected on a variety of criteria, including their SAT test scores, class rank, extra-curricular activities, financial need, recommendations and a personal written account of why the student feels deserving of financial assistance. Fellowship applicants must also submit their GRE scores and transcript. All recipients must be full-time students and residents of Hampden County.
Last year, $358,000 was awarded to 35 individuals. Scholarships were given to 27 graduating seniors from 15 Hampden County high schools. Four scholarships were also awarded to college students to assist them in completing their education. Four fellowships were given to college graduates, who had graduated from Hampden County high schools.
The Horace Smith Fund was established in 1899 by the successful and generous philanthropist named Horace Smith, co-founder of Smith & Wesson, located in Springfield. The scholarships and fellowships are named for Walter S. Barr, a West Springfield businessman, whose widow left the bulk of the family estate to The Horace Smith Fund in 1950.
Completed applications must be received either electronically or be mailed to The Horace Smith Fund at 1441 Main Street, Springfield, no later than February 1st. Applications are available at local high school guidance offices, on-line at www.HoraceSmithFund.org or by phoning (413) 739-4222.
