Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities
The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program, established in 1972 by the Massachusetts State Legislature, offers financial assistance to Massachusetts students who demonstrate academic promise and aspirations for higher education. This program specifically targets high school sophomores and juniors whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to persevere and attain their educational goals. The mission of the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) is to promote and enhance access to higher education by delivering quality student financial aid information and services to residents of the Commonwealth, and thus ensuring that they have an opportunity to enrich their lives and contribute to the economic development and social progress of the state.
Program Overview
The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program serves as an early identification program to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades, who may face obstacles in achieving their educational aspirations due to their socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, an organization that ensures Massachusetts residents have the opportunity to benefit from a higher education that enriches their lives and advances their contributions to the civic life, economic development, and social progress of the Commonwealth. Each year, approximately twenty-five students are selected as Herter Scholarship recipients and scholarships are awarded for a maximum of four years and are subject to annual appropriations from the Massachusetts Legislature.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Residency: Applicants must physically reside in Massachusetts with an intent to remain in Massachusetts.
- Grade Level: Applicants must be enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade in a public or private secondary school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Citizenship: Be a citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
- GPA: Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Personal Circumstances: Demonstrate difficult personal circumstances, high financial need, and strong academic promise to continue his or her education beyond high school, at a college or university. The students that are selected for this program must have overcome major adversity in their lives (i.e. physical or mental abuse, catastrophic illness, etc.). Obstacles may be mental, physical, geographic or societal.
- Nomination: Be nominated by a sponsoring school or agency. Eligible students who are in the 10th or 11th grades of high school must be nominated by a school or qualified community agency or organization. Students must be nominated before they can access the application. Nominators must have access to the Herter Nominator portal to submit their nomination(s).
- Selective Service: Be in compliance with selective service registration.
- Loan Status: Not be in default of any loans.
- College Enrollment: Upon graduation from high school, they must be enrolled as an undergraduate student in an eligible program as defined by the institution. The Herter recipient must commence enrollment in a postsecondary institution immediately upon graduation from high school, or permanently forfeit receipt of such a scholarship.
Nomination Process
The nomination process is a crucial first step for students interested in applying for the Herter Scholarship. Students must be nominated first before they can apply for the scholarship. Eligible students who are in the 10th or 11th grades of high school must be nominated by a school or qualified community agency or organization. Nominators must have access to the Herter Nominator portal to submit their nomination(s).
The nominator must upload a letter that describes the student's academic background, motivation, and potential for achievement. This letter should also address the nominee's ability to cope with adversity or difficult situations and provide an assessment of their eligibility for the Herter Scholarship. Nominators must also submit the student's most recent transcript and letters of recommendation.
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To become a nominator, individuals must complete the Nominator Request Form to obtain access to the Herter Nominator Portal.
Application Process
Students must complete the online application and upload all required documentation by the application deadline. Students must complete all sections of the application and upload required documents such as their high school transcript, autobiographical essay, and letters of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted. Applicants are evaluated on the required autobiographical essay describing their future goals and aspirations, as well as the hardships/obstacles they have overcome and their accomplishments in the following areas: Special Skills; Leadership Qualities; Relative Maturity; Personal Difficulties; Motivation; Enthusiasm; Capacity for Growth; Academic Promise; Community Outreach and Involvement.
Application information and documentation must be submitted by the Nominator, Student (Nominee) and Parent/Guardian.
Scholarship Award Details
Massachusetts students who demonstrate academic promise and desire to attend post-secondary institutions may receive up to 50 percent of their calculated need at the college of their choice within the continental United States. Awards are determined annually, based on a student’s college Cost of Attendance, demonstrated need, and the level of funding for the program.
Recipients may use the scholarship for college-related costs only. Such costs may include tuition, fees, room and board, at an accredited postsecondary institution within the United States.
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A Herter Scholarship recipient who, due to extreme circumstances, has to postpone college enrollment upon graduating from high school, may apply for a deferment of his/her scholarship for a period of not more than two (2) years.
Application Deadline
The completed application along with all required documentation must be received by the Application Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The 2024 application will be available December 2023. For example, students must complete the online application and upload all required documentation by the application deadline - February 28, 2026.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
While the Herter Scholarship offers significant financial aid, students should also explore other scholarship opportunities. Some examples include:
- The "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
- Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students seeking extra help paying for their education.
- Various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities offered by The Christian Connector.
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