Find a Scholarship

Generous alumni, parents, and friends of Commonwealth Honors College have created scholarships to help our outstanding students afford their undergraduate education and high-impact learning experiences. Some scholarship funds offer multiple awards each year. Students apply to the majority of these scholarships through AcademicWorks, as described on the Scholarships page.

You can see lists of these scholarships by eligible class year using the links to the right.

Abraham and Janice Weisblat Scholarship

Established by alumnus David Weisblat ’75 in memory of his parents, the Abraham and Janice Weisblat scholarship provides need-based financial aid to an outstanding Commonwealth Honors College student who exemplifies stellar academic and extracurricular success. (Incoming first years)

Andy Moes Scholarship

University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College members in their first, second or third year of study who are majoring in Hotel Management or Communications are eligible to apply for the Andy Moes Scholarship. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Annaliese Bischoff Honors Scholarship

University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College students who are pursuing creative endeavors in the arts and humanities or in social sciences are eligible to apply for the Annaliese Bischoff Honors Scholarship. Preference will be given to first generation college students and/or those with financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

This scholarship was endowed by a long time UMass Amherst and Commonwealth Honors College Professor and consists of a one-time award that is applied directly toward the student’s tuition and fees. Selection is based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

ASPIRE Community Scholarship

The ASPIRE Community Scholarship was established by a Class of 1983 graduate of UMass Amherst.  The intent is to award a first generation college student with outstanding academic potential and financial need the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine or medical research.  This scholarship is a four-year award that supports an incoming first-year Commonwealth Honors College student. (Incoming first years)

Bettez-Simanis Scholarship

Members of the Bettez and Simanis families established this scholarship in honor of their parents and grandparents, Marie-Jeanne and Albert Bettez and Joseph and Elizabeth Simanis. The Bettez-Simanis Scholarship provides access for a Commonwealth Honors College student who is the child of one or more immigrants, and honors the generosity the donors benefited from by offering support to the next generation of immigrant families. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Chancellor John V. Lombardi and Cathryn L. Lombardi Scholarship

Established in honor of former UMass Amherst Chancellor John V. Lombardi and his wife, Cathryn, this scholarship provides renewable financial assistance to incoming Commonwealth Honors College students with interests in academic research and community service. (Incoming first years)

Charles J. Hoff Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students who are US. citizens or eligible non-residents of Massachusetts and demonstrate a minimum of $4,000 of financial need are eligible to apply for a Charles J. Hoff Scholarship. Funded by the Hoff Foundation, the scholarships are designed to provide need-based assistance to motivated Commonwealth Honors College Students. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal government by March 1. Hoff scholarship applications are submitted to the Commonwealth Honors College office in March. Finalists may be asked to attend an in-person interview in June at the UMass Worcester Campus. The number of scholarships awarded will vary from year to year.  (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Cheryl Spencer Scholarship

Established by Aaron Spencer, founder of UNO Chicago Grill, and chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education from 1996 to 2007, The Cheryl Spencer Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship given to students with demonstrated financial need, with special consideration given to students who envision using their education to improve the world. (Incoming first years)

Christian M. Flynn Memorial Scholarship

Established by alumni Michael and Nancy Flynn and family in memory of alumnus Dr. Christian M. Flynn, this scholarship provides support to students in Commonwealth Honors College with financial need with special consideration for those interested in mental health issues, women’s studies, or music. Dr. Flynn graduated from UMass in 1991 and after being commissioned in the US Army, went on to medical school. Mental health became a hallmark of Dr. Flynn’s work and he entered the field of psychiatry, dedicating his career to treating people with mental illness and addictions. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Chuck & Lily Schultz Community Scholarship

Established by Chuck and Lily Schultz, this need-based scholarship, renewable over four years, supports incoming first-year Commonwealth Honors College students who demonstrate outstanding academic potential, with preference for first generation college students. (Incoming first years)

Class of 1941 Humanitarian Award

Up to seven awards of at least $2250 are made annually to students who articulate how they plan to use their education toward the betterment of the world. Recipients are chosen from among junior and senior Commonwealth Honors College students in good standing who provide documentation of their community service and submit a written essay. (Current juniors, current seniors)

Commonwealth Honors College Community Scholarship

This need-based award, renewable over four years, supports incoming first-year Commonwealth Honors College students who demonstrate outstanding academic potential, with preference for first generation college students. Individual donors from the Commonwealth Honors College community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents contributed to this award. (Incoming first years)

Commonwealth Honors College Opportunity Scholarship

This award, renewable for up to six semesters, supports current UMass Amherst students admitted to Commonwealth Honors College as part of the on-campus application process.  Selection for this scholarship is based on a combination of the student’s UMass Amherst record and financial need. (Incoming first years, current first years)

Cooke Family Fund Scholarship

This award is endowed by the Cooke family in memory of family members, several of whom were alumni of the University- Theodore F. Cooke’, Sr. ’01, Robert G. Cooke ’25, Dorothy Cooke Robbins ’28, Theodore F. Cooke, Jr. ’34, Helen Cooke Rudzinski Hough, and Alma Cooke Kendall Bassett. Recipients of the cash prize of $1,000 are selected from among senior Commonwealth Honors College students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, successful completion of research, and significant university or community service. (Current seniors)

David and Linda Littlefield Scholarship

The David and Linda Littlefield Scholarship was established by their son, Matthew Littlefield ’99 to honor his parents and to support Commonwealth Honors College students study abroad experience.  Littlefield participated in the Oxford Summer Seminar and a study abroad program in Mexico as a student at UMass Amherst. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

David J. Snyder Memorial Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students in their first, second or third year of study are eligible to apply for the David J. Snyder Memorial Scholarship. Each year one or more scholarships are awarded as a one-time award and applied toward the student's tuition in the following academic year. Selection is based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

David N. Hansen Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by an honors alumnus and consists of a one-time award that is applied directly toward the student’s tuition and fees. Selection is based on a combination of financial need, academic achievement and career goals. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Donna E. Cohen Family Community Scholarship

Established by alumna Donna E. Cohen in recognition of the importance of access to education, this scholarship is designed to provide access for Commonwealth Honors College students who demonstrate outstanding academic potential, with a preference for first-generation college students. This scholarship is renewable providing that recipients maintain good academic standing in Commonwealth Honors College. (Incoming first years)

Dresden Honors Scholars

This scholarship was established by alumna Jennifer Hanes-Schromm to honor the generations of educators within the Dresden Family.  The purpose of the Fund will be to support Commonwealth Honors College undergraduate students with financial need. Preference for female students who have demonstrated leadership through student organizations or community service activities. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Evans Family Scholarship for Environmental Conservation

The Evans Family Scholarship was established to recognize exemplary work on any aspect of the environment completed as part of the student’s studies. All areas of study are eligible. (Current juniors)

Frank and Helen DiGiammarino Scholarship Fund

The Frank and Helen DiGiammarino Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 by members of the DiGiammarino family, many of whom are UMass alums, as a way to honor their parents, Frank and Helen DiGiammarino for their commitment to academic excellence. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Gerald S. Creem ‘67 Scholarship

Established by a 1967 graduate of UMass Amherst, the Creem Commonwealth Honors College Opportunity Scholarship supports current UMass Amherst students admitted to Commonwealth Honors College as part of the on-campus application process.  Selection for this scholarship is based on a combination of the student’s UMass Amherst record and financial need. (Incoming first years, current first years)

Gyalwang Drukpa Scholarship

Established by Celso Avelar and Cam Tu Pham Avelar in honor of the work of the Gyalwang Drukpa, this fund provides scholarship support to students in Commonwealth Honors College with financial need and who are pursuing academic, co-curricular, internship, or community work in at least one of the following areas: environment, human rights, women's leadership, gender equality, social justice, healthcare, and/or animal welfare. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Honors Dean's Award

Ten annual awards of $500 each are made to senior Commonwealth Honors College students based on the excellence of their Honors Thesis. Go to AcademicWorks to apply. (Current seniors)

Honors Research Grants

Visit the Honors Research Grants page for more information. (Current juniors, current seniors)

Howard H. Quint Memorial Prize in Honors

Established in memory of Professor Howard Quint, former History Department Chair and co-founder of the Honors Program, the prize of approximately $500 is awarded jointly by the History Department and Commonwealth Honors College. Candidates are nominated by faculty from among senior students enrolled in Commonwealth Honors College, based on the student's academic record through the junior year, and are invited to submit a writing sample as part of the application process. Faculty nominators who have a specific student paper in mind, should specify that information so the student can submit it. (Current seniors)

Joseph and Elizabeth Rountree Merit Scholarship

Established by a bequest from Elizabeth Mary Rountree, the Joseph and Elizabeth Rountree Merit Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to attract and retain high-performing students who demonstrate outstanding talents and abilities. (Incoming first years)

Lang Global Scholars Award

Scholarship support for a Commonwealth Honors College student enrolled in the International Scholars Program with financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.  The scholarship is intended to help the student with the cost of their upcoming study abroad program. (Current sophomores, current juniors)

Lawrence Payne '77 Public Service Scholarship

This award was endowed by the Class of 1977 in memory of their classmate who graduated with Departmental Honors in Political Science. Mr. Payne died with Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in the 1996 plane crash in Croatia. Award recipients are selected from among senior Commonwealth Honors College students based on their academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to public service. (Current seniors)

Lewenberg Family Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students in their first, second or third year of study, who are active in Hillel, are eligible to apply for the Lewenberg Family Scholarship. Each year one or more scholarships are awarded as a one-time grant and applied toward the student's tuition in the following academic year. Selection is based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Linda Lockwood Opportunity Scholarship

The Linda Lockwood Opportunity Scholarship was created through a bequest from the estate of Linda Lockwood, professor of environmental science and Director of the UMass Amherst Honors Program from 1982 to 1992.  This award, renewable for up to six semesters, supports current UMass Amherst students admitted to Commonwealth Honors College as part of the on-campus application process.  Selection for this scholarship is based on a combination of the student’s UMass Amherst record and financial need. (Incoming first years, current first years)

Lynda Walker Dean’s Opportunity Scholarship

Established by alumna Lynda Walker, this fund supports students in Commonwealth Honors College. The scholarship is awarded to outstanding students with financial need, with a preference for first-generation students. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Malone Commonwealth Honors College Opportunity Scholarship

Established by a 1975 graduate of UMass Amherst, the Malone Commonwealth Honors College Opportunity Scholarship supports current UMass Amherst students admitted to Commonwealth Honors College as part of the on-campus application process.  Selection for this scholarship is based on a combination of the student’s UMass Amherst record and financial need.  To the extent possible, the scholarships are distributed across a wide range of majors. (Current first years, current sophomores)

Marybeth T. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Marybeth T. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Marybeth T. Murphy, a 1983 graduate who studied landscape architecture with a major in environmental design, this scholarship serves as a tribute to her and her commitment to urban public art.  She helped design many parks, city streets, and bike trails in an effort to make the world a more beautiful place.  Friends and family established this scholarship to provide needed support for students who share her ideals.  The purpose of the Fund is to provide scholarship support for UMass Amherst undergraduates with financial need pursuing landscape architecture.  Preference is given for students who are members of Commonwealth Honors College. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

McGoldrick-Jenkins Family Scholarship

University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College members in their first, second or third year of study with strong academic performance and financial need are eligible to apply for the McGoldrick-Jenkins Family Scholarship. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Melvin Howard Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students in their first, second or third year of study, with an interest in economics or business, are eligible to apply for the Melvin Howard Scholarship. The Melvin Howard Fund supports up to five $1,500 scholarships or Honor Research Grants relative to business or economics (see Honors Research Grants on the Commonwealth Honors College web site). The scholarships are awarded as a one-time grant and applied toward the student's tuition in the following academic year. Selection is based on a combination of financial need, academic achievement, and career goals. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Nancy Cullen '76 Scholarship

Second and third-year students who are members of Commonwealth Honors College, participate in the UMass Amherst Minuteman Marching Band, and have demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply for the Nancy M. Cullen Scholarship Award. A proud alumna of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ms. Cullen established this scholarship to encourage and reward the dedication and commitment necessary to participate in the two programs. Financial need plays a significant role in the selection process. (Current sophomores, current juniors)

Paul Solli Opportunity Scholarship

Established by a 1979 graduate of UMass Amherst, the Paul Solli Scholarship supports current UMass Amherst students admitted to Commonwealth Honors College as part of the on-campus application process.  Selection for this scholarship is based on a combination of the student’s UMass Amherst record and financial need. (Incoming first years)

Priscilla M. Clarkson CHC Opportunity Scholarship

This scholarship was established through a gift from the member institutions of the Commonwealth Honors Program in memory of Priscilla M. Clarkson. As dean of Commonwealth Honors College, Dr. Clarkson was a key administrator, guiding to completion the College’s Residential Community, which students moved into in fall 2013. This scholarship is designed to provide access for a student transferring into Commonwealth Honors College from one of the state’s Commonwealth Honors Programs and is renewable as long as the recipient maintains good academic standing. (Incoming first years)

Rachel and John Morton Honors Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students in their first or second year of study are eligible to apply for the Rachel and John Morton Honors Scholarship. This year, two scholarships will be awarded as a one-time grant and applied toward the student's tuition in the following academic year. Selection is based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement. In addition, all other things being equal, preference will be given to a student from Stoughton, Massachusetts. (Current first years, current sophomores)

Research Assistant Fellowships

Visit the Honors Research Assistant Fellowships page for more information. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

Tabacco-Schmidt Scholarship

This scholarship is a need-driven scholarship for Pell-grant recipients in CHC entering their junior year.

Joseph Tabacco is a class of 1971 UMass-Amherst graduate earning his degree in Government, while at UMass, he was active in student government, having served two term as Class President.  In 1974, Joe attained his law degree with Honors from George Washington University School of Law.  He served as a trial attorney for the US Department of Justice, Antitrust Division for several years before entering private practice in New York City.  In the early 1990’s Joe relocated to the San Francisco Bay area and opened the San Francisco office of Berman, DeValerio Pease & Tabacco, a law firm with offices in Boston and Palm Beach Gardens Florida.  He has specialized in securities fraud and antitrust litigation, representing victims of securities fraud, market manipulation and antitrust conspiracies, including some of the largest public pension funds in the world, in a variety of cases. 

Peggy Schmidt is an independent college counselor who established her practice, Smart College Choices, seven years ago. She is a graduate of the UCLA College Counseling Program. Peggy has covered education issues for national magazines and The New York Times. She has written or produced more than two dozen non-fiction trade books. As education editor of Glamour magazine for eight years, she wrote two monthly columns on college and career-related topics.

For many years, Peggy was the career coordinator at the New York University Summer Publishing Institute. She graduated cum laude from Bowling Green State University and has done graduate work at Teachers College, Columbia University. She served on the board of directors for the Charles Armstrong School, a K-8 school for dyslexic learners. She has worked as a volunteer counselor with QuestBridge, which links exceptional low-income students with top colleges. (Current sophomores)

Tina Brown-Stevenson and Harry C. Stevenson Diverse Scholars in Healthcare Scholarship

Established to  support Commonwealth Honors College undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Preference will be given to students who are underrepresented on the UMass Amherst campus and who plan to pursue a career in a health care field, such as but not limited to, clinical practice, pharmacology, medical research, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or mental health. Students transferring from a community college are also eligible. (Current first years, current sophomores, current juniors)

UMass Amherst Oxford Summer Seminar at Trinity College Scholarship

Commonwealth Honors College students in good standing are eligible to apply for a scholarship of up to $2,000 for the Oxford Summer Seminar held annually at Trinity College, Oxford University. Selection is based on a combination of financial need and an essay by the student stating how the Oxford Seminar would further their academic program. Granting of the scholarship is also dependent upon the student being accepted to the Oxford Seminar, and the scholarship may only be used during the year in which it is granted. Information regarding the Oxford Seminar may be obtained on-line at http://www.umass.edu/oxford.