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Every year the Economics Department awards many scholarships to our undergraduate students, that are possible through the generous contributions of many donors. You can apply for these scholarships through academic works. This system, implemented by The College of Social and Bahavioral Sciences (SBS), automatically matches you with the scholarhsips you are eligible for.  These include the scholarships offered through the Economics Department, as well as those offered through SBS, The Commonwealth Honors College, CICS, the Alumni Association, and  UMass Financial Aid.

Enroll in Academic Works, fill out the general scholarship application and the application for your college, and see which scholarships you can apply for.

How to enroll and apply

  1. Go to the Academic Works webpage and sign in with your UMass Net ID and password.

  2. Complete the General Application. Once you do this, you’ll see all the scholarships you qualify for. Once you do this, you’ll see any supplemental applications for your major(s).  Completing the supplemental applications will qualify you for additional scholarships.

  3. Click on a scholarship link and upload supplementary documents (resumes, letters from faculty, etc., depending on the award)

  4. Submit your application and see your dashboard, which shows you the status of any pending and submitted applications.

If you have questions, please email  @email.    Enroll in Academic Works

Economics Department Scholarships - on Academic Works

The dollar amounts listed below are subject to change depending on availability of funds each year. Unless noted, all recipients are selected by the Economics Department's scholarship committee. Application deadlines are generally fall or spring and are listed in academic works.

Economics Alumni Award for Distinguished Service | Nominated Scholarship/No Application

Granted by the Economics Alumni Advisory Board to students who have contributed extensively to the UMass Amherst community, particularly to the Economics Department.

Approximate Average Award $500 

Economics Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement 

This award is granted by the Economics Alumni Advisory Board to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, either academically or within service to the university or community. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.

Approximate Average Award $500 

Economics Writing Award 

This award will be presented to the student with the best paper in economics. No application is necessary for this award; papers will be submitted by course instructors. If you have written an outstanding paper for an economics course, please encourage the instructor to submit the paper for consideration.

Approximate Average Award $500 

E.W. Eldridge Jr. Memorial Scholarship

The E.W. Eldridge Jr. Memorial Endowment was established in 1966 for the purpose of awarding scholarships to economics students. Applicants will be judged on the strength of their completed application. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated financial need.

Approximate Average Award $500 - 600

Economics Chair's Award for Academic Achievement | Nominate Scholarship/No application

The Highest Academic Achievement Award, granted by the Department Chair, will be presented to a junior or senior primary major with the highest GPA within the major. No application is necessary for this award. Students will automatically be considered and selected based on GPA. One award is given out per year.

Approximate Average Award $500

Sherry Barber Scholarships 

These scholarships are supported by a fund established in honor of Sherry Barber.  Sherry Barber graduated from the Department of Economics in 1943, and helped to establish minimum wages across the country.  She also earned a Masters in Economics from Harvard and a law degree from Boston College.  The Economics Department is honored to pass out scholarships to students in her memory.

Award Amount Varies

Lisa B. '87 and John C. Desforge Scholarship 

Created in memory of Keith R. Freedman this scholarship supports an undergraduate economics major who is in good academic standing and has demonstrated financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Further preference will be given to a student who expresses interest and appreciation for the arts and has an experience in the arts that has helped to shape their creativity.

Approximate Average Award $1,000

Jacqueline Dorfman Scholarship for Women in Economics 

Funded by SBS alum Jacqueline Dorfman, this award supports full-time undergraduate female Economics majors who are in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0+) with demonstrated financial need

Approximate Average Award $1,500 

Finegan Family Scholarship 

Established by the Finegan family, this scholarship supports undergraduate students majoring in economics. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and exhibit financial need as determined by the financial aid office. This scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore and may be renewed annually as long as the recipient maintains the eligibility requirement.

Approximate Average Award $1,500

Hubbe Family Scholarship

Funded by John and Deborah Hubbe, this scholarship supports students with a major in economics. Applicants must have good academic standing and have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Recipients will be selected on the strength of their completed application.

Approximate Average Award $2,000 

James Kindahl Award 

This prize will be awarded to an economics student with a commitment to social issues or public policy concerns, strong writing skills, and/or a record of excellence in economic history. These are all things that were important to Professor James Kindahl, whom the prize honors. Professor Kindahl taught in the economics department from 1967 until 1998 when he retired. In addition to teaching he also served as Department Chair for three years and as Undergraduate Program Director for many years. Professor Kindahl passed away in 2003 and this award was established in his memory.

Approximate Average Award $1,000 

Ward McCarthy Scholarship for Interns 

This award was made possible by the generosity of F. Ward McCarthy ’73. This scholarship will be awarded to students with a confirmed internship during the current calendar year. Preference will be given to students with unpaid internships.

Approximate Average Award $2,500 

Rosemay Hussey Werrett Scholarship 

Funded by SBS alum Rosemary Werrett, this award supports Economics majors in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0+) with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to females who are studying international economics.

Approximate Average Award $5,000 

College Of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Awards and Scholarships

SBS awards over 70 scholarships annually including support for study abroad, internships, research and more. Go to Academic Works