Scholarships and financial aid
Pay close attention to all deadlines. Scholarship opportunities are posted in Naviance and can be searched for using the links below. Students will mail scholarship applications unless instructions require direct school mailing (allow the Guidance Office at least two weeks prior to the application deadline).
- Important Financial Aid Information
- 2025 Local Scholarships (Deadline March 27)
- Free Scholarship Search Services
- RaiseMe
- New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break: program offerings
Important Financial Aid Information
Seniors and parents/guardians of seniors, please find some important information below about financial aid for students planning to attend college next year:
Students should review financial aid information on each of their prospective colleges' individual websites. That way, they know exactly what they need to submit and by when. It is important to follow college deadlines for financial aid in order to maximize financial aid opportunities.
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Some colleges require their own internal forms.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
All students looking to attend college should apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Here is a link to the FAFSA website: http://studentaid.gov/
FAFSA becomes available starting October 1.
How to Apply for FAFSA: Step-by-Step
- Create an FSA ID. It is important that you create an FSA ID that you will use to access and sign the FAFSA. A student and parent each need their own FSA ID. It can take several days for your FSA ID to be confirmed, so plan to create your FSA ID several days in advance of when you plan to begin the FAFSA.
- Navigate to the FAFSA website to begin the application.
- Select "Start a New FAFSA": You can start a new application or log in if you’ve already started one.
- Enter Basic Information: Provide personal details, such as name, address, and Social Security number.
- Fill Out Financial Information: This section will ask for information about income, taxes, and other financial assets. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to automatically import tax information, which helps reduce errors and ensures accuracy.
- You can send your FAFSA to up to 10 schools. It’s important to include any schools your student may apply to, even if they haven’t decided yet.
- Both the student and at least one parent (if the student is a dependent) will need to sign the FAFSA using their FSA IDs. Once signed, submit the form.
- Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR): After submission, you’ll receive a SAR, which summarizes the information you provided. Review it for accuracy and correct any errors.
If you haven't done so already, it is important that you create an FSA ID that you will use to access and sign the FAFSA. A student and parent each need their own FSA ID. It can take several days for your FSA ID to be confirmed, so plan to create your FSA ID several days in advance of when you plan to begin the FAFSA.
***Please note it is important that students not use their school issued email accounts when creating their FSA ID, on the FAFSA, and on other financial aid related forms since they are only able to receive emails from people in CBRSD.
CSS (College Scholarship Service)
Some colleges require the CSS profile. A list of those colleges can be found on the following website: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
If your student is applying to one or more schools that require the CSS profile in addition to the FAFSA, we also recommend:
List of schools requiring the CSS profile: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority)
MEFA is offering several virtual financial aid events. Please register for an event on their website at www.mefa.org/events. Events will be held various days, starting 9/28, including afternoon and evening sessions. Recorded sessions will also be available on their site for those who are unable to attend one of the live events.
MEFA offers several different types of events, so if you are wondering which one(s) might be a good place to start, you may consider the following:
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MEFA has several other excellent resources relating to financial aid at mefa.org.
If you have more questions about FAFSA or CSS Profile after attending a MEFA event, we have wonderful partnerships with the financial aid representatives from our local colleges including MCLA, Berkshire Community College, Williams College and Vassar College. Parents and students can reach out to a financial aid representative from any one of these colleges with any questions even if they are not applying to one of the respective schools. We are so thankful for them in their continued support for students and families in our community.
2025 Local Scholarships (Deadline March 27)
2025 Local Scholarship Applications
2025 Local Scholarship Brochure
You can find updated local scholarship information via these two links. You will find the scholarship deadlines directly on the applications.
REMINDER!!! The deadline for the Wahconah Local Scholarships is Thursday, March 27th.
Note that there are some scholarships with multiple pages. Please make sure you scroll through the entire document.
ALL APPLICATIONS can be hand delivered or e-mailed to Mrs. Farley by the deadline. Please do not send them to your counselor. When emailing, send each application as a separate document - do not send them as a long running document.
It is best if you do not wait until the deadline to email your scholarship applications. Unexpected things happen. There will be no exceptions to deadlines.
As always, please reach out to your School Counselor or Mrs. Farley if you have any questions or need assistance completing a scholarship application.
Free Scholarship Search Services
Be aware of any scholarship resources that charges a fee! Scholarship searches should be free!
What Are Scholarships?
Scholarships are awards given to students based on various criteria, such as academic achievement, athletic ability, financial need, community service, or specific career interests. Scholarships can be offered by a variety of organizations, including:
- Colleges and Universities: Many institutions offer merit-based, need-based, or program-specific scholarships.
- Private Organizations: Nonprofits, businesses, and foundations often offer scholarships to students based on a wide variety of criteria.
- Government: Some government entities offer scholarships at the state or national level.
- Community Groups: Local community organizations, civic groups, and religious institutions may also offer scholarships to students from their communities
Types of Scholarships
Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. Understanding the different types will help you focus your search on the opportunities that best match your student’s qualifications.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic performance, such as GPA, standardized test scores, or achievements in specific areas (e.g., science, writing, arts). Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships as part of their admissions process.
- Need-Based Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are awarded based on the financial need of the student and their family. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is often required for these scholarships.
- Program-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are available to students pursuing specific academic programs or fields of study, such as engineering, nursing, or the arts. These scholarships are typically offered by the school or by external organizations focused on the particular field.
- Athletic Scholarships: These are awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent in a particular sport. Athletic scholarships are typically offered by colleges or universities, and the competition for them can be intense.
- Community Service Scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships to students who have shown significant involvement in their communities through volunteer work, leadership roles, or service projects.
- Demographic-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are designated for students from specific demographic groups, such as:
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Minority students (e.g., scholarships for African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American students)
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Women or men in underrepresented fields
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Students with disabilities
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- Creative and Unusual Scholarships: These include scholarships that are based on creative entries or unusual criteria. Examples include scholarships for:
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Writing an essay or poem
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Submitting artwork, videos, or other creative works
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Competitions (e.g., for students who play video games, make crafts, or build robots)
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Tips for Finding Scholarships
- Start Early: The earlier you begin searching for scholarships, the better. Many scholarship opportunities have deadlines a year before students enter college.
- Stay Organized: Keep track of all scholarship opportunities and their deadlines. Use a spreadsheet or calendar to help manage applications.
- Be Specific: Apply for scholarships that match your student's profile, interests, or career goals. Don’t waste time on general scholarships that may not align with their strengths or aspirations.
- Beware of Scams: Be cautious when searching for scholarships. Avoid websites or organizations that ask for an application fee, promise guaranteed scholarships, or seem too good to be true. Legitimate scholarships will not require a fee to apply.
- Check Eligibility Criteria Carefully: Before applying, make sure the scholarship is appropriate for your student. For example, some scholarships are specific to a certain geographic region, field of study, or high school grade level.
** www.naviance.com - Access many regional and national scholarships. Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search to access. More information on Naviance can be found here. Check out some resources beyond Naviance (student.naviance.com/wahconahreghi) that are available to you.
- Cappex (cappex.com)
- Chegg Scholarships (chegg.com/scholarships)
- College Board (bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search)
- Fastweb (fastweb.com)
- MA Educational Financial Authority (mefapathway.org)
- Niche (niche.com)
- Scholarships.com (scholarships.com)
- Unigo (unigo.com)
- US Department of Labor (careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx)
Other Resources:
- Community foundations: Many local foundations offer scholarships for residents of specific areas.
- Civic groups: Organizations like Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Elks Lodges, and the Kiwanis Club often offer scholarships for high school seniors.
- Religious organizations: Churches or other religious groups may offer scholarships to students involved in their community or faith-based activities.
- Employers and Unions: Some employers offer scholarships or tuition assistance programs to employees or their children. Check with your workplace human resources department, and look for opportunities in union or professional association-sponsored programs.
How to Apply for Scholarships
The process of applying for scholarships can vary, but it generally involves the following steps:
- Review the Eligibility Requirements: Carefully read the scholarship criteria and ensure your student meets all the qualifications.
- Prepare Documents: Gather required materials, such as:
- Transcripts (academic records)
- Essays or Personal Statements: Some scholarships ask for a short essay or personal statement.
- Recommendation Letters: Many scholarships require one or more letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers.
- Proof of Eligibility: This could include proof of financial need, community service hours, or participation in specific activities.
- Complete the Application: Follow the instructions on the scholarship application carefully. Double-check for any specific requirements.
- Submit the Application: Be sure to meet the submission deadline. Late applications are often not considered.
- Follow Up: After submitting, confirm that your application was received. If you are awarded the scholarship, be sure to follow any additional instructions for accepting the award.
*Additional scholarship information will be posted in Naviance as the year progresses. Be sure to check it regularly for the most current information.*
RaiseMe
RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their achievements during high school and college.
WRHS students grades 9-12 can access the website to participate via this link:
https://www.raise.me/how-it-works