Local Scholarship Search

In addition to applying for national scholarships, you should consider local scholarships and no-interest loans. These local scholarships and loans limit applicants to residents of a certain town, graduates of a specific high school, or members of a designated organization or church group. Your chance of receiving a local scholarship may be greater than receiving one from the national searches.

Local scholarships and no-interest loans are usually handled by an agency or foundation. For the local foundation in your area, contact the guidance department at your local high school or the financial aid office at a local community or four year college, or conduct a web search for "college scholarship foundation (enter your town or next largest city)."

For residents of western Massachusetts, your local scholarship foundation is the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Contact this foundation if you are a resident of Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire counties.

Walter S. Barr Scholarships: For graduates of Hampden County high schools who are planning to attend college for the first time and also for those who are already in college. Awards up to $3,000 per year up to $12,000 total for four years. Send an email to Christine Blacke at cblacke@HoraceSmithFund.org or call the Horace Smith Fund at 413.739.4222 for an application. Due date is March 15.