Scholarships

FCTS SCHOLARSHIPS FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Franklin County Technical School students are encouraged to seek out scholarships during their senior year. To get you started, here are some basic facts about scholarships and how to apply for them.

What is a “scholarship”?

Scholarships are funds (money) that support educational or other activities such as entry into the workforce. Scholarships are for students going to work OR going to any school after graduation, including trade schools, community colleges, or universities.

What types of scholarships are there?

Local scholarships: These are created by people or organizations that are in some way connected to the FCTS community and or the towns FCTS serves. These scholarships are usually available to students only in our region and are less competitive than nationally based scholarships.

National scholarships: These are generally provided by large organizations, are more competitive than local scholarships, and are usually for education/college. They are often awarded for Academic achievement, athletic achievement, community service, unique hobbies or personal traits, personal background, and financial need.

How much money do scholarships award?

Local scholarships typically run from around $100-$2,000, with awards around $200-$500 being very common.

Do I need to apply for a scholarship? How do I find Scholarships that are a good fit for me?

Yes, you will need to submit an application for most scholarships.

HOW TO FIND AND TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

To find LOCAL scholarships, use your MEFA Pathways account - click here.
1. Log in, go to the Pay for College tab, and click on Scholarship Search
2. For Local Scholarship searches, leave all of the search parameters empty - click Submit
3. On the Scholarship page, click on the tab for Local Scholarships

All of the FCTS Local Scholarships are posted on the MEFA Pathways website when they become available. All seniors should log onto the site periodically to check for new and updated scholarship opportunities.

You can also check with your local organizations such as high schools, libraries, town offices, and religious organizations.

To find and apply for National scholarships:

Many national scholarships are also available through MEFA Pathways here. You can also use scholarship websites that are widely recognized. A few good examples are Going Merry www.goingmerry.com/ which allows you to apply to many appropriate scholarships with one application, and FastWeb www.fastweb.com/‎

Check with the college or institution for college-provided Merit scholarships! Many private colleges will provide Merit scholarships to reduce tuition. These are often awarded on the basis of GPA. Check with the college financial aid offices to inquire.

Very few scholarships are awarded automatically and require no action on the part of the student (such as the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship based on MCAS scores).

What are my next steps?

1. Register with https://www.goingmerry.com/ or www.fastweb.com/‎
2. Apply for as many scholarships as you can on these sites!
3. Starting in December, access Local scholarships through the FCTS Guidance Office by logging into the Scholarship page of your MEFA Pathways account (here).
4. Contact local organizations to find locally offered scholarship aid