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

1. 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.
2. Navigate to the FAFSA website to begin the application.
3. Select "Start a New FAFSA": You can start a new application or log in if you’ve already started one.
4. Enter Basic Information: Provide personal details, such as name, address, and Social Security number.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 Profile & IDOC
The CSS Profile is an online financial aid application used by many colleges to determine eligibility for institutional aid. It collects detailed information about your family’s finances beyond what the FAFSA requires.

Some schools also use IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service) to securely collect supporting financial documents, such as tax returns and W-2 forms, to verify the information submitted on the CSS Profile.

Completing both accurately and on time helps ensure you receive all the financial aid you may be eligible for.

Participating Schools

If your student is applying to one or more schools that require the CSS profile in addition to the FAFSA, we also recommend:

• What to Know About the CSS Profile- This webinar will introduce the nuts and bolts of the CSS Profile, a financial aid application required by approximately 200 colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies across the country. Topics will include tips on completing the Profile, specific financial and household data collected, and how colleges and universities use the application information. 

• College Cost Calculator
• College Loan Payment Calculator 
• Net Price College Calculator

MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority)

MEFA is offering several virtual financial aid events. Please register for an event on their website.  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:

• Financial Aid 101- This webinar will provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. You'll learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. 

• 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.

Please find the up to date list of scholarships that have been added to Naviance below.  Also, below is the email sent our by Mrs. Farley with links to our local Wahconah scholarships and our Scholarship Brochure for your reference

Students can access many regional and national scholarships through Naviance. Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search

Below you will find the WRHS local scholarship brochure and the google docs link with the scholarship applications.

WRHS Scholarship Brochure

Here is the link to the WRHS 2026 scholarship applications

WRHS 2026 scholarship applications

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 me 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.

 The only applications that you will need a transcript for are the Benjamin F. Sullivan Unit #155 -American Legion Auxiliary, Hillside Agricultural Society, David Carmel - Knights of Columbusscholarships.  You will mail these 3 applications directly to the address on the application.  Please let me know if you need a transcript for any of these 3 scholarships.  I will print your transcript and have it here in my office. Please do not wait until the last minute to request these transcripts. 

Remember to read the requirements and directions carefully. Please type all scholarship applications online and either email me or print them out and hand deliver them to me.  It is best if you do not wait until Friday, March 27th to complete your scholarship applications. Unexpected things happen. There will be no exceptions to deadlines.

Students can access many regional and national scholarships through Naviance. Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search to access

Please reach out with any questions as I'm happy to help. 

Mrs. Farley
LFarley@cbrsd.org

Regional scholarships recently added:

1.  Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund -  Due 5/1/26 
2.  Supporting Democracy Leadership Award - Due 3/27/26
3.  Glenn W. Hoffman Innovation & Creativity Scholarship - Due 4/13/26 - Visual Arts -
4.  Men's College Scholarship - Due 4/1/26 -
5.  Pittsfield Adams Lodge of Elks - Due 4/1/26
6.  Rebekah Assembly of Massachusetts - Due 3/31/26
7.  Berkshire County ARC Scholarships (Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Nursing) - Due 3/27/26
8. Girls Inc. of the Berkshires (multiple scholarships) - Due 3/20/26
9. Hillside Agricultural Society 2026 Scholarship - Due 4/30/26
10.  Hagan Scholarship Foundation - Due 3/15/26
11.  "Iron Mike" Polidoro Scholarship - Due 4/10/26
12.  Carolyn T. Sacco Memorial Business Scholarship - Due 3/20/26
13.  Daniel Pearl Berkshire Scholarship (Music or Journalism)- Due 4/20/26
14.  Hillside Agricultural Society Scholarship (Cummington Fair) - Due 4/30/26
15.  Jewish Federation of the Berkshires - Due 4/24/26
16.  Lenox Garden Club Scholarship (Environmental Science) - Due 4/1/26
17.  Mary Lyon Foundation Scholarships - Due 4/1/26
18.  Men's College Scholarship - Due 4/1/26
19.  Frank N. Costa Public Service Scholarship (Windsor, Adams, Cheshire, Savoy residents)- Due 4/1/26
20.  Valley Press Scholarships (Journalism)- Due 4/10/26
21.  Dalton American Legion Auxiliary (Student who is the child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, great grandchild or step great grandchild of a US Veteran, iving or deceased) - Due 4/1/26
22.  Sons of the American Legion Scholarship (Student who is the child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, great grandchild or step great grandchild of a US Veteran, living or deceased) -Due 4/1/26|
23.  Berkshire County Selectmen's Association Scholarship - Due 3/31/26
24.  Berkshire Health Systems Kermit Gordon Scholarship (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences) - Due 5/1/26
25.  Berkshire Health Systems Nursing Scholarship - Due 5/1/26
26.  Greylock Federal Credit Union Community Enrichment Scholarship - Due 4/10/26
27.  Gold Wings Scholarship - Due 4/24/26
28.  Cummington, MA residents - William W. Streeter History Award - Due 5/15/26
29.  Pittsfield Co-op Bank Conrad R. Bernier Memorial Scholarship - 3/31/2026
30.  Heart of Wahconah Scholarship - Due 4/1/26
31.  Jeff Perrotti LGBTQ+ Leadership Award - Due 3/20/26
32.  Tate Riva Memorial Scholarship (Visual or Performing Arts) - Due 4/20/26
33. Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Women Artists, Inc. - Due 4/1/26
34.  NEACAC Annual Essay Contest - Due 4/1/26
35.  Bianchi Barbarotta Sportsman Scholarship - Due 5/1/26
 

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:

  • Minority students (e.g., scholarships for African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American students)

  • Women or men in underrepresented fields

  • Students with disabilities

• Creative and Unusual Scholarships: These include scholarships that are based on creative entries or unusual criteria. Examples include scholarships for:

  • Writing an essay or poem

  • Submitting artwork, videos, or other creative works

  • Competitions (e.g., for students who play video games, make crafts, or build robots)

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 
• Chegg Scholarships 
• College Board 
• Fastweb 
• MA Educational Financial Authority
• Niche 
• Scholarships.com 
• Unigo 
• US Department of Labor 

• RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their achievements during high school and college. 

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.*

Program Offerings

• Over 2,500 programs are now offered through Tuition Break (RSP)
• 73% of undergraduate degree programs are now Flexible*, available to all residents of New England!

You can find additional information with this link below:

Tuition Break Program for Massachusetts residents

Financial Aid and CSS

• Official Financial Aid site
• Federal Student Aid- Parent of Students Resource Page
• Who should enter as a parent on the FAFSA form?
• CSS Profile site
  • Some schools require the CSS profile in addition to the FAFSA
  • Information for parents