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This page provides information about local and national scholarships, grants, and loans for students both in high school and college. When applying for scholarships, it is important to have a high school or college transcript, resume, and letters of recommendation from teachers or advisors.

  •  Click here for more information about what to have handy when applying for scholarships
  • Want to make applying for scholarships an easier task? click here for some helpful tips.
  •  To qualify for federal and state grants, be sure to have completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Click here for a helpful guide about the FAFSA and how to fill it out.

 

Scholarship Round-Up 

To find hundreds of scholarships in one place, visit scholarships.com and click here for a quick article outlining how to navigate the website.

  •  The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 130 scholarships and two interest-free educational loans. Students who apply to the program may be eligible for many of these funds. Once a student completes the online application, CFWM will determine all funds for which a student may be eligible.
    • Deadline: March 31st
  • Going Merry is a platform created by the New York Times that helps students find and apply for private scholarships, college financial aid and government grants, all in one place. Join for free today to build your profile and get matched with all of the scholarships, both local and national, that you are eligible for.
  • Scholarship Apps for Apple or Android – download in the App Store and have scholarships right at your fingertips, including opportunities from ScholarshipOwl, Scholly, Scholarships.com, and Niche 

Scholarships for Springfield Residents

  •  Springfield Partners for Community Action is looking to award a number $1,000 scholarships to adult learners or high school graduates attending an accredited Massachusetts college or a vocational training program the following fall. eligibility for those who: are residents of Springfield, have been accepted into an accredited college or vocational program, can demonstrate commitment to their community, and meet income requirements.
    • Deadline: April 17th
  • The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is intended for high school seniors who are a legal resident of the City of Springfield, attends one of its public, private or parochial schools, has a GPA of 3.5 or above and is involved in his/her church and/or community at large.
    • Deadline: Mid-December 
  • The Junior League of Greater Springfield will award a $1,000.00 (per year, up to 4 years) college scholarship to one female graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in volunteer and community service.
    • Deadline: Late April 
  • The Smith College Springfield/Holyoke Partnership provides up to four full-tuition scholarships for students from public schools in Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts. All students who apply to Smith from these schools will be automatically considered. This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens.

Scholarships for Students of Color 

  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the largest Hispanic scholarship-granting organization in the nation. HSF provides financial assistance to outstanding Hispanic students in higher education throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
  • Check out hispanicfund.org for a database of scholarships for Hispanic and Latino students.
  • If you are a minority high school student showing leadership potential and demonstrating financial need, The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship provides scholarships of up to $30,000 over four years at the accredited 4-year institution of your choice. 
    • Deadline: February 1st 
  • The Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister-to-Sister” Scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to mature African American Women in their pursuit of post-secondary education.  An applicant must be a returning student, whose education was interrupted by family responsibilities or other personal demands and is now ready to complete college or one who is entering college for the first time because of these factors.
    • Deadline: March 1st
  • If you are an African American high school senior who demonstrates a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship, the Ron Brown Scholarship Program may be for you.  RBSP competitively awards Ron Brown Scholars four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who are community-minded and intellectually gifted. 
    • Deadline: January 9th 
  • If you are an African American student nurse or allied health professional, The National Black Nurses Scholarship Program provides funding for continuing education. Scholarships are offered annually.
    • Deadline: April 15th
  • UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider for people of color. They award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the United States, including their prestigious network of 37 historically Black colleges and universities.
    • The Gates Millennium Scholars program is administered by the UNCF and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It seeks to meet the financial needs of Black, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic U.S. citizen students.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) Scholarships 

  • If you are enrolled full-time in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, or another STEM discipline at Holyoke Community College, you may be eligible for a National Science Foundation Scholarship of up to $10,000 per year. Applicants must be enrolled full time in a STEM program, demonstrate academic ability or potential, and demonstrate financial need.
    • Deadline: July 15th 
  • MassTeach is a program designed to recruit and support more STEM teachers who start their college careers at a community college. The MassTeach Scholarship through Holyoke Community College provides you with a defined transfer pathway for a teaching concentration at Westfield State University. You will be accepted as a STEM major leading to an initial teaching license, and then you will receive a $20,000 stipend for your junior and senior years of college as you complete a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
  • If you are a member of the Civil Construction Management and/or Civil Engineering Technology Program at STCC, check out the Alan “Al” Paul Cuipenski Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship awards $500 to a student who has at least a 3.0 grade point average, can demonstrate financial need, and is a student of good character. 
    • Deadline: October 30th
  • Through their undergraduate scholarship program, the Henry David Thoreau Foundation identifies and supports eight to ten top-ranking high school seniors from Massachusetts who demonstrate the potential for environmental leadership and intend to pursue interdisciplinary environmental studies in college. Each Thoreau Scholar receives a four-year scholarship of up to $20,000. In addition, Thoreau Scholars are eligible for an environmental internship stipend, which usually takes place between junior and senior year.
    • Deadline: February 1st

 

Business/Entrepreneurship Scholarships 

  • Citrix ShareFile Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs is designed to help students pay for their education as they seek their own opportunities in entrepreneurship. To apply students must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. university, trade school, or college. Essay submission required. 
    • Deadline: December 15th
  • The Lead Roster B2B Sales & Marketing Scholarship is a highly competitive $1,000 award for high school and college students interested in sales & marketing. Unlike most scholarships which require a simple essay and “good luck” to win, the Lead Roster scholarship puts the tools for winning in your hands by judging your entry on your ability to market and sell your own ideas!
    • Deadline: December 15th
  • If you are a student attending STCC who has completed at least 24 college credits in the Associate in Science in Business or Business Transfer degree program; Have a current grade point average of 3.0; and have demonstrated leadership skills through team leadership roles in class or College related activities, check out the Professor Paul B. Thornton Leadership Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship awards $500. 
    • Deadline: October 30th

 

Writing, Arts and Media Scholarships

  • Varsity Tutors holds a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest where students write an essay in response to a monthly prompt. Visitors to the Varsity Tutors scholarship webpage are able to vote via social media for submitted entries. The top five entries with the most votes are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month and one winner is subsequently chosen to receive the $1,000 college scholarship.
    • Deadline: The 1st of each month
  • The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards provide a range of scholarships with awards upwards of $10,000 for students who demonstrate strong, creative voices through art and writing.
  • The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association is committed to furthering the broadcast industry by helping Massachusetts’ best and brightest students pursue a career in broadcasting. Students who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and plan to or are enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learning are encouraged to apply for the MBA’s Broadcaster Scholarship Program. The MBA awards scholarships annually in the amount of $2,500 to students pursuing a career in over-the-air broadcasting. FYI: UMass Amherst as a degree path in Broadcast Journalism! 
    • Deadline: April 17th

Corporation Funded Scholarships 

  • The Walmart Foundation provides scholarships to Wal-Mart employees and their children to pursue two- or four-year college degrees, trade or technical school certificates. 
  • In tribute to both its employees and its customers, Big Y offers an annual scholarship program. All Big Y scholarships recognize academic merit and achievement. They are awarded to the most academically outstanding students in the Big Y market area. There are awards for both traditional and nontraditional students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
    • Deadline: February 1st
  • The Burger King Scholars Program assists employees, employees’ spouses or domestic partners, employees’ children and high school seniors in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada in continuing their education. Scholarship grants range from $1,000 to $50,000 and are intended to help students offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected based on their grade point average (GPA), work experience, extracurricular activities and community service.
  • The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
    • Deadline: October 31st

 

Massachusetts Statewide Scholarships/Grants 

  • The Berkshire Bank Scholarship Awards Program is open to all high school seniors, current college students or adults who are pursuing an undergraduate degree from an accredited, non-profit college or technical school. To qualify, students must have a GPA of at least 3.0, a history of service/volunteerism, a total family annual income of less than 100,00, and pursuing an undergraduate degree from an institution or technical program.
    • Deadline: January 31st
  • The Polish Junior League of MA, Inc. has three scholarships set up for Polish heritage students, each with various criteria. 
    • Deadline: May 1st
  • MassTransfer is a collaboration between Massachusetts’ community colleges (such as HCC & STCC), state universities, and the University of Massachusetts. System-wide resources and policies allow for students to transfer seamlessly, stay on track, and minimize the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students receive differing benefits based on their GPA.
  • The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides a credit toward tuition for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. For this scholarship, merit is based on student scores on the 10th grade Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. *There is no application process for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Students that are eligible for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship will be notified in the fall of their senior year in high school.*
  • The Foster Child Grant Program was funded by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2001. It provides grants of up to $6000 annually for foster children to help pay for an education beyond high school at any college or university throughout the continental United States.
  • The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program provides financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools, but wish to become certified as full time teachers. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. However, recipients must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • The Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program (GMSGP) provides funds for participating Massachusetts’ institutions of higher education and schools of nursing. Awards range from $200 to $2500 per academic year. See website for information on applying.
  • The Massachusetts Public Service Grant was established for students who have experienced the loss of a parent and/or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Public Service Grant Program is the only scholarship program not based on demonstrated financial need, but rather entitlement. 
  • The MASSGrant & MASSGrant Plus programs are funded by the state legislature and provide need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students who reside in Massachusetts. Students must be enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing or any other approved institution. MASSGrant Plus provides additional funding for full or part-time students attending a community college. *There is no application process, students qualifications are assessed through completion of the FAFSA; Deadline for eligibility is May 1st*
  • Students eligible for the Part-time Grant Program are those who drop below full time. You must be enrolled between 6 and 11 credits in order to be eligible for this grant.  You must be Pell eligible to receive this award.  Funding is limited to state allocation.
  • The Massachusetts Cash Grant Program is a complementary program to the Need-Based Tuition Waiver Program. It helps needy students by awarding grant money to cover additional charges such as mandatory fees and non-state-supported tuition. Funding is limited to state allocation.

Federal Grants & Loans 

  • A Pell Grant is a federal entitlement grant based on a student’s need which is determined by the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The Pell grant can be received for a lifetime maximum of twelve (12) full time terms. Students are awarded based on full-time status (12+ credits).  Dropping below 12 credits will result in a decrease in Pell grant eligibility.  In some cases, enrollment decreases can result in a total loss of this grant. Qualification determined through completing the FAFSA.
  • To qualify for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) students must be registered for at least 9 credits. This grant is awarded to students with the greatest need. The minimum award offered is $100 per semester.  Funding is limited to federal allocation. Qualification determined through completing the FAFSA.
  • To qualify for College Work-Study (CWS) students must be registered for at least 6 credits. This program allows you to earn money while attending college and provides valuable work experience.  All jobs are available on the college campus. The hourly rate varies depending on the type of work you do and your skill level.  You may work between 10 – 12 hours per week and you cannot earn more than your maximum CWS award.  All returning Work-Study students must complete a new contract (available in Student Financial Services) each academic year.  New Work-Study students must report to Student Financial Services for an assignment after the 2nd week of the semester.  Funding for this program is limited. For more information Federal Work Study Fact Sheet.
  • Federal Direct Student Loan – Must be registered for at least 6 credits.  This low interest loan has to be repaid beginning 6 months after you complete your program, stop attending, or drop below 6 credits. Qualification determined through completing the FAFSA. For more information on student loans see our page on Financial Literacy. 

More Scholarships 

  • The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund offers renewable, four-year scholarships to students with financial need who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others (in school, their community, or at home), a strong work ethic, and leadership qualities. A scholarship for permanent residents of New England states.
    • Deadline: May 1st
  • The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges. Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows their 42 college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. As a College Prep Scholar, you will receive exclusive awards, scholarships and opportunities to develop a strong college application that shares your unique story.
    • Deadline: April 21st
  • Triple Impact Competitor Scholarships from The Positive Coaching Alliance provides awards of $1,000 – $2,000. This scholarship entails showing the organization how involvement in sports helps to make an applicant better, one’s teammates better, and the game better. Current high school students with a GPA of 2.5 are eligible to apply.
    • Deadline: May 31st
  • The Dell Scholars Program provides awards of up to $20,000. The Dell Scholars Program enables under-served students with financial need to achieve their greatest potential through higher education. The Dell Scholars Program is offered to high school students participating in an approved AVID program (College Readiness Program). Students must have a 2.4 GPA and plan to attend an accredited institution of higher education.
    • Deadline: December 1st
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