SPRINGFIELD – A private regional foundation offering scholarships and fellowships to high school seniors and college students residing in Hampden County has extended it’s application deadline date for those awards until next month.
The Horace Smith Fund, which awarded $358,000 to 35 area students last year, announced this week that it will push the application deadline back for it’s Walter S. Barr Scholarships and Fellowships to February 10, due to the low number of applications.
“To date, we have received only 28 scholarship applications and 11 fellowship applications. It is surprising that more students aren’t applying,” stated Wayne Webster, president of the Board of Trustees. “Applications can be downloaded or completed on line. They are also available at every area high school and college and by contacting our office.”
The Walter S. Barr Scholarship is available for graduates of Hampden County public and private high schools, with scholarship awards of $10,000 distributed in annual installments of $2,500 and renewable each year until graduation.
According to a release from the Horace Smith Fund, recipients are selected on a variety of criteria, including their test scores, class rank, extra-curricular activities, and a personal written account of why the student feels deserving of financial assistance.
The Walter S. Barr Fellowship awards are made annually to those wishing to enroll in full time graduate studies. In general, applicants must be residents of Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Awards are made to students pursuing a specific post-graduate degree. The award of $12,000 is distributed in annual installments of $4,000 for a maximum of three years. Awards will be made on the basis of all available information, including school records, recommendations and examination scores. Consideration will be given to both the merit and financial need of the applicant. “We hope students take advantage of this local resource,” encouraged Webster.
