Massachusetts Christian A. Herter Scholarship

The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Commonwealth of Massachusetts students who demonstrate academic promise and aspirations for higher education. The special role of the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, as an early identification program, is to recruit high school sophomores and juniors whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to persevere and attain their educational goals.

Since 1972, the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship has assisted Massachusetts students with their higher education costs. Each year, twenty-five students are selected as Herter Scholarship recipients. Awards are determined annually, based on a student’s college Cost of Attendance, demonstrated need, and the level of funding for the program. Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of four years and are subject to annual appropriations from the Massachusetts Legislature.

Who is an eligible applicant for the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship? 

Applicant must:

• Be enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade in a public or private secondary school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Physically reside in Massachusetts with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education policy
• Have approved eligibility status as a “High School Completer,”[1] per the Massachusetts tuition equity law,[2] or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• 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
• Be nominated by a sponsoring school or agency

What criteria are used in evaluating the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship applications?

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.

What restrictions are there on the use of the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship?

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. The Herter recipient must commence enrollment in a postsecondary institution immediately upon graduation from high school, or permanently forfeit receipt of such a scholarship.

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.

The Herter Application is accessed via the online Herter Scholarship portal. The 2024 application will be available December 2023. 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.

Application information and documentation must be submitted by the Nominator, Student (Nominee) and Parent/Guardian.

• Nominators must complete the Nominator Request Form to obtain access to the Herter Nominator Portal.
• Students must be nominated in order to access the portal and online application. Once nominated, they will receive an email to create their account.
• Parents/Guardians will be asked to create their own account in order to provide household and financial information, once the student has provided parent/guardian contact information on their application.