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Undergraduate Admissions

Community College Academic Honors Scholarship

This scholarship was developed to reward and recognize graduates of the Massachusetts community colleges for meritorious academic achievement. Up to 15 scholarships are available each year (both fall and spring admits are considered).

A scholarship recipient must be an in-state (Massachusetts) resident and complete graduation requirements for an associate degree at one of the Massachusetts community colleges prior to enrollment at UMass Amherst.  At least thirty (30) of the total number of credits earned for the associate degree must be completed at a Massachusetts community college(s).  A scholarship is contingent upon the recipient enrolling in a University bachelor’s degree program in the designated scholarship semester.

The scholarship is $2,500 per academic year and intended for full-time enrollment.  The scholarship is based on the academic year for undergraduate day division study only.  The scholarship is good for up to three years (six consecutive fall and spring semesters) of full-time enrollment.

The per-semester scholarship amount of $1,250 will be posted by the Bursar’s Office to your account each semester you are enrolled. The scholarship is applied as a credit toward your university bill. Half of the scholarship is applied in the fall semester and the other half of the scholarship in the spring semester. Therefore, you will see a $1,250 credit in the fall semester bill and a $1,250 credit again in the spring bill.

No, the scholarship is only applied toward your university bill while you are enrolled as an undergraduate.

The scholarship is renewed automatically, as long as you maintain the minimum requirements of satisfactory academic progress. The minimum requirements of satisfactory academic progress can be found in the Academic Regulations available on the university Registrar website.

The standard undergraduate four-year college academic year is the fall and spring semesters. The scholarship is for six consecutive fall and spring semesters because that is the standard expectation for completion of your college coursework and degree. We have found that to be the most efficient and effective way for students to complete their program of study. Often, when students are away from their coursework for a semester they find it difficult to return or they struggle when they do return. Among other challenges, being away for a semester can put you out of sequence for some of your coursework, which can increase the amount of time it takes you to complete your program.

We strongly discourage students from missing a semester, however we understand that there may be extenuating circumstances when you may need to do so. This includes students with medical issues or students that are called to active duty.  If you find yourself in this position, please contact Financial Aid Services.  Academic Honors Scholarship recipients who are suspended or unofficially withdraw from the University will forfeit their scholarship, and the scholarships will not be reinstated.

We encourage students to take advantage of academic opportunities that broaden their academic experience. You must be enrolled in an approved academic program to continue to receive your scholarship.

No, the scholarship is only available for fall and spring semesters, and cannot be used for any Continuing and Professional Education costs.

It’s possible. Changing your major can extend the time it takes to earn your degree; therefore, if the change requires you to stay beyond six consecutive fall and spring semesters, then yes it could affect the scholarship. 

Students are given one semester to improve their academic performance.  At the end of this semester the student is expected to be maintaining the minimum requirements of academic progress to continue to receive their scholarship.

You can contact the Undergraduate Admissions Transfer Office either by phone at 413-545-0222 or by email at: mail@admissions.umass.edu