About Us
The Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) is committed to educating the UMass Amherst community about nationally competitive scholarships, and mentoring students and recent alumni in their pursuit of these opportunities. We provide advisement and support to academically talented students through their application process for highly competitive scholarships, including essay reviews, reflection conversations, and interview practice. We value the preparation and application process as an enriching professional experience that helps students to clarify their personal values and career goals, and get a better sense of the most appropriate graduate programs for their interests. Through this process, they become more aware of their strengths and they improve their writing skills.
Students who apply for these prestigious awards also acquire an experience in learning and personal growth that supplements their classroom education. ONSA is also the home of the International Scholars Program, which works with students who pursue international study. Here, ISP scholars are provided advisement on national scholarships, academic preparation before and after returning from abroad, and support for their international experience during their junior year. ISP introduces students to the multi-dimensional aspects of being a world citizen in the 21st century. Through advisement, mentoring, and teaching, ONSA contributes to the promotion of a vibrant community of scholars who are talented, globally engaged, and determined to contribute to their academic field and beyond to make our society a better place to live, both home and abroad.
Contact and Appointments
Contact onsa [at] honors [dot] umass [dot] edu (ONSA )with your questions or to arrange an appointment with a scholarship advisor.
Office of National Scholarship Advisement
3rd floor, Commonwealth Honors College
University of Massachusetts Amherst
157 Commonwealth Avenue
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9253
onsa [at] honors [dot] umass [dot] edu (onsa[at]honors[dot]umass[dot]edu)
phone: 413-577-2613
Meet ONSA
Madalina Akli
Director, International Scholars Program
CHCRC Faculty in Residence
Senior Lecturer of International Studies
Madalina Akli is a Director at the Commonwealth Honors College.
Mujtaba Hedayet
Mujtaba Hedayet is an academic and scholarship advisor in Commonwealth Honors College.
Amy Whalen
Amy Whalen is the Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) coordinator & a communications assistant in Commonwealth Honors College.
