For High School Seniors

The Walter S. Barr Scholarship

Each year, our Walter S. Barr Scholarships are awarded to residents of Hampden County who attend any of the region’s public or private secondary schools. See the list of eligible high schools.

These high school senior scholarship awards are determined using available information including school 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.

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 the step-by-step instructions to apply for the Walter S. Barr Scholarship for high school seniors. Completed application, letters of reference and CSS Profile Application must be received in the Horace Smith Fund office no later than March 31st.

Step 1: Official High School Transcript

You are responsible for having an official high school transcript mailed to:

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

Alternatively, you may request to have your school’s guidance department email your transcript directly 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 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. At least two should be from a high school guidance counselor or teacher who is 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 4: CSS Profile

As of 2018, we no longer accept FAFSA applications as proof of financial need. All applicants must complete the CSS Profile. When applying, please indicate you would like your financial information made available to our organization using code 0017. Any fee incurred to submit a CSS Profile will be reimbursed with proper proof of payment. Please email a copy of your payment receipt to info@horacesmithfund.org.

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

3. The applicant is responsible for having an official high school transcript 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 the 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 by indicating 0017 as the code number and “The Horace Smith Fund, 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 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 two references should be from a high school counselor or teacher, who is familiar with your ability and potential. 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. All applicants must complete the CSS Profile Application found at cssprofile.collegeboard.org. When applying, please indicate you would like your financial information made available to our organization code of 0017. CSS Profile fees will be reimbursed for students with completed scholarship applications. CSS Profile applications must be completed online by March 31st.

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.

PERSONAL DATA

Name(Required)
Address(Required)