The William R. Rooney Award Grant

The William R. Rooney Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Horace Smith Fund
Amount: US $3,000 - US $12,000
Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Summary

The William R. Rooney Award, provided by the Horace Smith Fund, offers scholarships to high school seniors with disabilities in Hampden County, MA. This award honors William R. Rooney, an advocate for students with special needs. Applicants must have been on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Accommodation Plan for at least two years and intend to attend an accredited college full-time. Awards are based on academic merit and financial need.

Overview

Horace Smith Fund For more than a century, the Horace Smith Fund has helped Hampden County students finance their dreams of higher education. Award opportunities are available to residents of Hampden County who have graduated from eligible local secondary or private schools. The William R. Rooney Award The William R. Rooney Award provides scholarship awards for high school seniors with disabilities. This award is named after William R. Rooney, a long-time educator and former Executive Secretary of The Horace Smith Fund, who advocated for financial assistance for students with special needs. In general, these scholarships exist to provide college funding to students who possess cognitive, behavioral or emotional impediments that may make it difficult to attain a degree. That’s why, each academic year, we provide one award to a graduating high school senior who is currently on and has been on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Accommodation Plan for a minimum of two years. To qualify, students must be a resident of Hampden County, MA, enrolled in an eligible high school and anticipate attending either a two- or four-year accredited college full time. Awards are determined using all available information including academic records, college entrance examination scores, general attainments, recommendations, and financial need. The awards continue through the four-year course if justified by the student’s record and need. Students with disabilities should complete the William R. Rooney Award application and submit a copy of their full, current and signed IEP or 504 Plan, in addition to the other required documents. Students who qualify and apply for this award are not eligible to apply for the Walter S. Barr Scholarship. Awards may be automatically renewed each year, provided a minimum GPA of 3.0 is maintained.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. A graduating high school senior who is currently on and has been on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Accommodation Plan for a minimum of two years.Resident of Hampden County, MA, enrolled in an eligible high school and anticipate attending either a two- or four-year accredited college full-time.