Undergraduate Scholarships

CSG Scholarship Alert: November 2, 2009 Deadline for scholarship that supports students whose studies or research involve the promotion of energy efficiency, energy policy, conservation, clean energy and sustainable living practices to reduce our impact on the planet. Click here to read more and get an application.

Spring Study Abroad Scholarship: November 24, 2009 Deadline
Alumni of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences have made this scholarship opportunity available through their generous donations.
Eligibility: All College of Social and Behavior Sciences majors who wish to study abroad are welcome to apply for this scholarship that helps offset some expenses.
Selection: Based on financial need and/or academic excellence, a committee chooses recipients in the fall semester for travel abroad in the spring. Approximately twenty scholarships will be given this academic year with an average award of $1,000.
Deadline to apply: Tuesday November 24, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING THIS FORM ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A
DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Take me to a story about the 2009 Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

Helpful advice from the most recent Scholarship Workshop for students.

SBS Scholarships
Ansin Study Abroad Fellowships | Scott J. Bacherman Fund
Bluestein Memorial Scholarship
Connor Internship Award
Der Hagopian Scholarship | HOPE Scholarship
LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Scholarship
Merriam Internship Scholarship
The SBS Dean's Opportunity Scholarship
Sutton Scholarship | West End House Scholarship
Wikander Scholarship | Class of 1945 Merit Scholarship

Be sure to check with your department for
other available scholarships

Ansin Study Abroad Fellowships

All College of Social and Behavior Sciences majors who wish to study abroad are eligible to receive a fellowship to help offset some expenses. Applications are available at the International Programs Office in Hills House. Based on financial need and/or academic excellence, a committee chooses recipients in the spring semester for the following summer, fall or yearlong program.

The Ansin Study Abroad Fellowship has helped SBS students travel to places like China, Korea, Spain, France, Australia, England, Italy, Senegal, Denmark, Scotland, Puerto Rico and more.

Deadline to apply: Friday April 17, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Recent Ansin Fellowship recipients
Jessica Aither '11 (anthropology)
Karl Salomon '08 (economics and legal studies)
Kathryn Huston '08 (journalism and political science)
Tarra Louis-Charles '08 (legal studies)
Lauren Spinney '09 (STPEC)
Daniel Torres '07 (political science and economics)
Elnara Eynullayeva ’07 (economics and Japanese language and literature)
Stephanie Feuer-Beck ’06 (psychology and elementary education)
Dan Maltzman '07 (legal studies and political science)
Lily Pfannebecker '07 (political science and legal studies)
Mike Sances ’06 (political science)
Tessa Simonds '08 (STPEC)

Scott J. Bacherman Fund

Established in memory of Scott J. Bacherman '76 who exemplified the creativity, commitment, and spirit of UMass Amherst. The Fund will help nurture these same special qualities in students interested in journalism, communication and broadcasting while honoring Scott and the beginnings of his own notable career; help develop necessary skills, experiences, and networking opportunities for undergraduates at UMass Amherst to enter their chosen field upon graduation; and support scholarships for students majoring in journalism, communication and BDIC with a concentration in journalism or communication and internship awards for students involved in WMUA, the campus student-run radio station.

Scholarship Criteria: One award of up to $5,000 toward a student’s educational costs at UMass Amherst. Eligibility: Candidate must be a freshman, sophomore or junior with a declared major in Journalism, Communication, or BDIC with a Journalism or Communication concentration. The candidate must also be enrolled at UMass Amherst; be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5; and have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Office. Preference will be given to residents of Massachusetts.

Internship Criteria: One award up to $3,000 to support a student internship in the field of broadcasting, media convergence or affiliated fields. Eligibility: Candidate must be enrolled at UMass Amherst; able to provide documentation of a summer or fall internship in broadcasting; be in good academic standing and have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Office. Students who are involved in WMUA, WFCR, UVC-TV/19, The Daily Collegian and other campus media organizations are encouraged to apply.

Selection: The Review Committee may invite finalists for an interview. Selection is based on financial need, academic merit and strength of completed application.

Deadline to apply: Friday April 17, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Recent Bacherman recipients.
William McGuinness '10
Vanuza Laveaux '09
Marisa Kanof '06

William M. Bluestein Memorial Scholarship

Established by the late alumnus William M. Bluestein '78 to endow awards to undergraduate students with demonstrated interest in economics, technology or public policy. Bill, who also earned his MA and PhD in economics from UMass Amherst, was president and chief operating officer of Forrester Research, Inc. at the time of his untimely death in 2001. Known for his intelligence, humor, professional achievement and love of family, Bill was a tremendous advocate for UMass Amherst. Having been the first in his family to attend college, he was keenly interesting in working with and directly assisting students. Preference will be given to students who are first in their families to attend college and with demonstrated financial need, particularly those from middle income families who qualify for financial aid, but not for free sources of funding.

Criteria: Interest in economics, public policy, or technology. Preference given to students who are the first in their family to attend college.

Deadline to apply: Friday, March 13, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Recent Bluestein Scholarship recipients.
Elizabeth Paice ’09
John McLoughlin '07

Connor Internship Award

Paula Connor Meyer ’86 (communication) established this scholarship in honor of her father, who did not have the opportunity to attend college. The award provides financial support to undergraduates who are taking advantage of work experiences in professional settings, through semesterlong or summer internships. Awarded periodically. This year one award of up to $2,500 will be made.

Criteria: Candidates must be in good academic standing and with at least 45 credits. Preference will be given to communication majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and who take internships that closely fit their professional interests. Applicants for the Connor Internship must submit an essay and a completed application, along with a letter of recommendation, which speaks to the student’s interests and abilities. The selection committee may invite finalists for an interview.

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 24, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Recent Connor Internship Award recipients
Allison Edles '07 (journalism and English)

David J. Der Hagopian Scholarship

Provides a scholarship award of up to $10,000 per year for four years to one incoming full-time freshman who is a resident of Florida. The Scholarship will be renewed to the student for up to seven semesters.

Criteria: The award is based on merit and need. The recipient must remain in good academic standing with a GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible for renewable each semester. The recipient must demonstrate financial need and be eligible for University financial aid.

Click here for story about David Der Hagopian, who created the scholarship.

Recent Der Hagopian Scholarship recipients.
Stephanie Wamboldt '07 (legal studies)

HOPE Scholarship

Established to provide scholarship support to graduates of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School who plan to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The recipient should exhibit financial need, but also have leadership qualities and a desire to achieve.

Criteria: Student should exhibit financial need, possess leadership qualities and the desire to achieve. These qualities will be determined by representatives of Dennis-Yarmouth High School.

Click here for story about Tim Barabe '75, who created the scholarship.

Political science major Pantos Yantsides ’08, a current recipient of the Hope Scholarship, wrote to Mr. Barabe, "I wish to express my sincerest and heartfelt gratitude for the support that your grant has made in my life. I am a student of modest means, and I cannot articulate how your financial aid has benefited me."

Alan L. and Carol S. LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Alan (´64, economics) and Carol LeBovidge to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to do meaningful research with a UMass Amherst faculty member. Student recipients will receive a stipend to support them for up to 10 hours per week during one semester of substantive research assistance on a faculty research project.

Eligibility: Students must be nominated by the faculty member for whom they will be providing research assistance. Faculty may only nominate one student per year. Preference will be given to applications that show genuine collaboration between the student applicant and the sponsoring faculty member.

Selection: Five awards of up to $2,000 will be made. A review committee from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will select recipients in the spring semester. Selection criteria are as follows:
• Academic merit
• Faculty recommendation
• Quality of proposal and fit of research project with student’s academic and future goals
• The degree to which the project provides the student with clear pportunities for research involvement and development of professional experience

Deadline is Friday, April 17, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Stories about recent LeBovidge Scholarship recipients:
Caitlin Divver ’09 (sociology)

Merriam Internship Scholarship

Dwight Merriam (’68, sociology) established this award to honor the memory of his aunt, Oreana Merriam, who taught for many years in the Home Economics Department at UMass Amherst. He also wishes to acknowledge his sisters, Deborah Merriam (’71, education) and Dorothy Merriam (’86, BS, ’00 MS nursing) who benefited from their education here.

The award provides financial support to undergraduate students who have an interest in public policy, law, ecological conservation, and/or real estate development for summer or semester-long internships. In addition, the Merriam Internship Award will strive to establish a mentoring relationship between recipients and Mr. Merriam. Through this advisor/student dialogue, Mr. Merriam will offer his experience and vast network of contacts, giving students a significant competitive advantage upon graduation.

Eligibility: Preference will be given to students of junior standing, with financial need as determined by the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Office. Candidates must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Selection: There are four awards of up to $2,500 each. Two awards were made during the fall 2008 semester to support internships this spring. The remaining two awards will be given during the spring 2009 semester to support internships taken next summer or fall. The SBS scholarship committee will review applications and make the selections based on the criteria detailed above. The selection committee may invite finalists for an interview.

The deadline is April 17, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Click here for a profile about Dwight Merriam '68, who created the Merriam Internship Scholarship.

Recent Merriam Internship Scholarship recipients
Rod Motamedi '08

The Social and Behavioral Sciences Dean's Opportunity Scholarship

The SBS Dean's Opportunity Fund was created and is supported by contributions from alumni of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.Students must be juniors with declared majors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Candidates must also have a 3.5 GPA or above and 45 residential credits. Qualified students automatically receive an application in February. If you believe you are eligible, but did not receive an email invitation, please contact Jackie Brousseau-Pereira at scholarships@sbs.umass.edu.

Applications will only be accepted from those students who have been invited to apply. Based on completion of the application, which includes a one-page essay, a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences committee chooses recipients in the spring semester. Typically, ten awards of $1,000 each are made each year.

Deadline to apply: Friday, March 13, 2009. Click here for application. Note: WHEN COMPLETING IT ELECTRONICALLY, YOU SHOULD SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH A DIFFERENT FILENAME AND THEN UPLOAD THE NEW FILE TO SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT.

Stories about recent SBS Opportunity Scholarship recipients.

White-Sullivan, Conor '10 (anthropology)
Tradd, Alex '09 (psychology)
Aaron Manier '08 (psychology)
Kara Cunningham '08 (anthropology and journalism)
Kathryn Huston '08 (journalism and political science)
Ronit Krieger '08 (psychology)
Rod Motamedi '08 (economics)
Gregory Callanan '07 (economics and marketing)
Alina Catrinou '07 (psychology and biology)

Sutton Scholarship

Established in honor of Professor Gordon Sutton (sociology) and alumna Dolores (Dee) Sutton '78 (natural resources and the environment) to provide financial support to undergraduates attending UMass Amherst after overcoming personal and/or financial hardship.

Eligibility: Preference is given to students in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrated financial need, determined by the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Office.

Selection: One award of up to $2,000 will be made. Based on the completion of the application a selection committee chooses a recipient in the spring semester. The selection committee may invite finalists for an interview.

Recent Sutton Scholarship recipients.
Katrina R. Cessna '08 (political science and BDIC)
Elettra Pauletto '07 (psychology and French)

The West End House Scholarship

Established by Henry Barr '68 (government), the West End House Scholarship provides financial aid to students who have participated in the West End House Boys & Girls Club who are attending UMass Amherst. Directors and Counselors of the West End House will nominate incoming students who they believe to be positive representations of the Club. Partially based on financial need. Students will not need to fill out an application.

Criteria: Must have participated in West End House Boys & Girls Club, final nominations made by Club Directors.

Lawrence and Anna Wikander Scholarship

The Lawrence and Anna Wikander Fund was created by Richard Wikander ’84 MA, ’91 PhD (anthropology) in honor of his parents. This fund provides scholarship support to a student who has chosen to earn a General Educational Development (GED) credential rather than a traditional high school diploma.

Eligibility: Students who are enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis at UMass Amherst, have demonstrated financial need (as determined by the Office of Financial Aid), and are in good academic standing. Though preference will be given to candidates majoring in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, students majoring in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are also eligible. The award is non-renewable.

Selection: Based on the completion of the application a scholarship review committee chooses a recipient in the spring semester.

Click here for story about Richard Wikander, who created the scholarship.

Recent Wikander Scholarship recipients.
Amanda Lincoln '09 (biochemistry and animal science)

Class of 1945 Merit Scholarship

To qualify, students who are SBS majors must have Junior status with a 3.5 GPA or above, and 45 residential credits.Students who complete the SBS Opportunity Scholarship application (above) will be considered for this scholarship by a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences committee in the spring semester.

For additional information about scholarships, click here.

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences