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Financial Aid

Undergraduate Scholarships

Search for Scholarships

Scholarships and awards are similar to grants, they are financial aid that you do not have to repay. Scholarships are often awarded on the basis of academic merit. Most financial aid awards will not meet the full amount of a student’s financial need. We encourage you to seek additional resources to meet your annual college costs. The scholarship search board allows current and prospective students to search available scholarships for both university and a wide range of outside sources. Current students can register with AcademicWorks, which offers a streamlined scholarship search and application process for all UMass Amherst students.

UMass Admissions Scholarships

UMass offers merit aid to select undergraduate students. Merit aid is awarded on the basis of academic achievement rather than financial need. Students need to maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment and satisfactory academic progress as defined in the Academic Regulations, published by the University Registrar.

Most of the scholarships awarded to UMass Amherst students are privately funded by an alumni member, parent or friend of the university. To help thank the generous donors for these awards, we ask that students write a Thank You Letter.

One of the best gestures we can make to our scholarship donors is to thank them. A student’s letter reminds donors why they gave and helps encourage continuing gifts for future UMass Amherst students.

Students receiving a scholarship award were selected because of personal qualities and academic abilities which stood above other applicants. Sending a personalized thank you letter confirms that this scholarship was important enough to you to take the time to present yourself in a professional manner. The tips and template provided below will help you compose your own unique letter.

DISCLAIMER:  Financial Aid Services may adjust the award of recipients who receive scholarships, loans or tuition credits not listed on the original award. According to federal regulations, a student’s total financial aid may not exceed what Financial Aid Services has determined to be his or her estimated need/cost.

Financial Aid is not providing you with a comprehensive list of all scholarship opportunities for which you may apply. There are numerous other resources available which you should research independently. Please be wary of advertisements that offer to help you find scholarships for a fee.