Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program

Program Summary

*The following is a brief description for students. Institutions should refer to the most recent guidelines for information.

The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 1972 by the Massachusetts State Legislature to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to attain educational goals. 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.

Massachusetts students who demonstrate academic promise and desire to attend post-secondary institutions may receive up to 50% of their calculated need at the college of their choice within the continental United States.

Who Is Eligible?

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

Physically reside in Massachusetts with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education policy; and
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 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.
Be enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade in a public or private secondary school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A Herter Scholar Recipient must also meet the following requirements:

Upon graduation from high school, be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program as defined by the institution.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or another state-approved equivalent form, annually for consideration of assistance by any designated deadline, as may be determined by the Department of Higher Education and comply with financial aid verification requirements in either the FAFSA or the alternative state-approved form, as applicable.

¹ See www.mass.edu/tuitionequity for more details.

² Pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023.

Award Amounts

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

How to Apply

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. Once a student has been nominated, they will receive an email with instructions to create their Herter Scholarship application account.

2025 application will open on December 3, 2024

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Nominator Request Form

NEW Nominators Complete the Nominator Request Form to obtain access to the Herter Nominator Portal. Once your access has been granted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to create your account.

RETURNING Nominators do NOT request a new account – you must use with your previously created log-in credentials.

Review the following document for additional information on the program and application requirements.