The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program is a state-supported program whose mission includes providing educational opportunities to Commonwealth students who demonstrate academic promise and desire to attend post-secondary institutions. The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 1972 by the Massachusetts State Legislature as an early identification program to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to persevere and attain educational goals.

To accomplish its mission, the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program has developed an extensive partnership of representatives from social service agencies, public and private secondary institutions, civic agencies, religious organizations, and the educational community. Students are nominated by guidance counselors, social workers, ministers and educators who are familiar with their circumstances and selected semi-finalists participate in a rigorous interview process. Each year, 25 students in the 10th and 11th grades are selected to receive awards of up to 50 percent (50%) of their calculated need at the college of their choice within the continental United States. 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. Students must exhibit academic potential for post-secondary success. There are approximately 100 students that are currently enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States with the assistance of the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship.

To be eligible for a Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, a student must:

• Be enrolled in a public or private secondary school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and legal residents of the state.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Exhibit difficult personal circumstances, high financial need, and strong academic promise to continue education beyond the secondary level.
• Upon graduation from high school, enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program as defined by the institution.
• Provide evidence of documented need as measured by a federally approved system of need analysis.
• Be in compliance with federal laws regarding Selective Service Registration.
• Not be in default of a federal or state loan, or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid.

Scholarship awards vary and are based on educational cost, including tuition, room, board, required fees, books and transportation.

Eligible students who are in the 10th or 11th grades of high school will apply in February or March of the present academic year.

Students must be nominated by a school or qualified community agency or organization. Nominated students must also complete and submit the current year application form:

• 2013 Christian A. Herter Application Form (PDF: 101K)
NOTE A FEBRUARY 1, 2013 DATE FOR THE 2013 HERTER APPLICATION TO BE RECEIVED BY OSFA.

Contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070.