Graduate Student Scholarships | Horace Smith Fund

The Walter S. Barr Fellowship

Walter S. Barr Fellowships for graduate student scholarships are awarded to permanent or qualified former residents of Hampden County who graduated from an eligible high school and are pursuing full-time post-graduate degrees. If that degree program requires more than one year of full-time study, the award can be renewed for an additional year, if warranted.

Fellowships are granted in the amount of $7,500 per academic year, paid in $3,750 installments each semester, and carry a maximum value of $15,000. Fellowships are automatically renewed each year provided a minimum GPA of 3.0 or passing grade is maintained.

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. If the student’s residency is in question, the Fellowship Committee reserves the right to make this decision.

Instructions

Listed below are instructions to apply for Walter S. Barr Fellowships available to students seeking full time graduate degrees. Completed applications and all related documents must be received in the Horace Smith Fund office by March 15th.

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

Eligibility: In general, applicants must have graduated from an eligible high school or homeschooled in Hampden County, MA and be a permanent resident. If residency is in question, the Fellowship Committee reserves the right to make this decision.

Step 1: Necessary Documents

The applicant is responsible for having an official undergraduate and any applicable graduate transcripts mailed to us. Alternatively, you may request transcripts to be sent via electronic delivery to info@horacesmithfund.org.

Your college handles hundreds of requests to have transcripts sent to many agencies. Make your formal request in writing as soon as soon as possible and keep a copy of it in case you need to telephone later. Give your sources plenty of time to process your request.

Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be sent directly to our office. Other professional school tests, such as the LSAT, can be forwarded to us from the applicant.

At least two of your three references should be from college or graduate school professors who are familiar with your ability and potential. 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 2: Application Form

Complete and submit the fellowship application online or download blank forms. The “personal statement/essay” is a critical part of your application as it helps to distinguish you from other outstanding applicants. It should present who you are and who you hope to become as you pursue your education and career goals. Include any extenuating circumstances that you think we should be made aware of. A completed application includes the following items:

Financial statement
Official college transcript and graduate school transcript, if applicable
Scores on Graduate Record Examination or other professional school tests, if applicable
Three reference 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 Fellowship Applicants Pursuing Graduate Degrees

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. Eligibility: In general, applicants must be residents of Hampden County or former residents who have graduated from an eligible high school in Hampden County.

3. The completed application and all supporting documents must be received in The Horace Smith Fund office no later than March 31st.

4. The applicant is responsible for sending us an official undergraduate and any applicable graduate transcripts.

5. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination or other professional school tests must be sent directly to The Horace Smith Fund.

6. Three persons, not relatives, should complete reference forms for you. Completed reference forms should be submitted online or mailed by the person writing the reference to The Horace Smith Fund.

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 made will be 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.

HELPFUL HINTS

Your college handles hundreds of requests to have transcripts sent to many agencies. Make your request in writing as soon as you can and keep a copy of your letter in case you need to follow up later. The same applies to the Educational Testing Service and your references. We suggest that you call The Horace Smith Fund office before March 15th to make sure that all documents have been received. After you have submitted your application, you should keep us up to date on any changes, such as acceptance to graduate school.

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)

High School(Required)

Graduation Year(Required)

College or university for undergraduate studies(Required)

College or university

Dates of attendance

Major course of study

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Why do you consider yourself to be a good applicant for the Walter S. Barr Fellowship? Please attach a sheet of paper and tell the Committee about yourself, your interests, purposes and activities. Include any other matters which may have a bearing on this award.(Required)

GRADUATE ENTRANCE

If you have done any graduate work thus far, please complete:

Graduate college or university(Required)

Dates of attendance(Required)

Major course of study(Required)

Future plans for graduate work, including course of study and start date

In order of preference, list the colleges for which you have applied to for graduate admission(Required)

Graduate College

Dates of Application

Accepted?

Graduate entrance examinations or similar tests taken

Name of test

Date of test

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If your education has been interrupted, please indicate what you were doing when not attending college

Describe prizes, academic distinctions, or awards of merit you have received or areas of accomplishment in art, sports, music, community involvement, etc.

REFERENCES

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

At least two references should be professors or academic advisors, who are familiar with your ability and potential.

Name

First Last

Title

Email Address

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Name

First Last

Title

Email Address

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Name

First Last

Title

Email Address

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 FINANCES

Complete the following information for the most recent year:

Your Employer(Required)

Your Position

Your Employer’s Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Your Annual Wages, Salary or Tips(Required)

Your Spouse’s Employer

Your Spouse’s Position

Your Spouse’s Employer’s Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Your Spouse’s Annual Wages, Salary or Tips(Required)

Gross Income from Other Sources

Gross Income Provided by Other Family Members

Total Annual Income(Required)

Using the official cost estimates for your first college choice, complete the following projections for your next year:

College name(Required)

College location(Required)

Your expenses(Required)

Tuition

Fees

Room & Board

Total Expenses(Required)

Your resources

From your savings

From parents and-or others

Summer earnings

College aid: Grants

College aid: Work-study

College aid: Loans

Total Resources(Required)

List and explain any recent unusual or unexpected expenses or income.

List the current values for assets and unpaid balances of liabilities for the following items:

Cash

(include bank and money market accounts, CD’s)

Marketable Securities

(stock, bond, mutual funds)

Market Value of Real Estate

Other Assets

(include autos, etc.)

Retirement Funds

(IRA’s, 401k, annuities)

Total Assets(Required)

Real Estate Mortgage Debt

Secured Loans

(autos, etc.)

Unsecured Loans

(educational, credit card debt, etc.)

Other Liabilities

Total Liabilities(Required)

Include below any additional information that you would like the Selection Committee to be aware of regarding your ability to pay for your educational and personal expenses during the next academic year.

Signature of applicant(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Date(Required)

For Graduate Students

The Walter S. Barr Fellowship

Instructions

Step 1: Necessary Documents

Step 2: Application Form

HELPFUL HINTS

PERSONAL DATA

PERSONAL STATEMENT

GRADUATE ENTRANCE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REFERENCES

PERSONAL FINANCES

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