AcademicWorks and SPHHS Scholarships FAQ

What is AcademicWorks and how do I apply for SPHHS scholarships?

AcademicWorks is a streamlined scholarship search and application process for all UMass Amherst students. Please visit umass.academicworks.com and log in with your NetID. Complete both the UMass General Application and the SPHHS General Application and be automatically matched with UMass and SPHHS scholarships.

Watch this instructional video for help with submitting your application.

How do students receive scholarship consideration?

Currently enrolled students can complete the General Application in the UMass Amherst Scholarship System, as well as any supplemental applications for scholarship consideration. Students will need to complete the application each academic year and will be notified via their umass.edu email account when the new application cycle is open. By completing the UMass General Application, students will automatically be considered for several scholarships awarded by financial aid. In addition, many scholarships require a current free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) to be filed each year. Most SPHHS applications are open from Nov. 10 to Feb. 15 annually.

Do I need to complete the FAFSA to apply for a scholarship?

Several scholarships require a current FAFSA to be filed each year. If a scholarship specifically states that the recipients will “need to have financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office,” then you must have a FAFSA application on file. Both undergraduates and graduate students can fill out the FAFSA for the upcoming year beginning Oct. 1. Please complete the FAFSA early, and by Feb. 14 at the latest to be considered for SPHHS scholarships.

Are scholarships different from loans?

Yes, scholarships and awards are like grants — they are financial aid that you do not have to repay.

What is the deadline to submit a scholarship application through AcademicWorks?

Specific scholarship deadlines will be indicated in the opportunity description (if applicable). Most SPHHS scholarship applications are due Feb. 15.

Most scholarships awarded by the Financial Aid Office do not have a deadline and are awarded until all funds are dispensed each year unless a deadline is specified. Students are encouraged to review all scholarship dates and deadlines to ensure maximum scholarship consideration. Check AcademicWorks frequently for new university scholarship opportunities and deadlines. Note: If a scholarship does have a deadline, the application will close at 11:59 p.m. on the listed deadline date.

Will I be automatically matched to all eligible scholarships?

AcademicWorks is set up to match you with all eligible scholarships. However, based on when you complete the application, you may not have met one of the eligibility requirements (e.g., minimum GPA or FAFSA on file). Thus, it is recommended that you also review the list of SPHHS scholarships and eligibility requirements. If you find a scholarship you wish to apply to, you can apply for it directly in AcademicWorks by entering the scholarship name into the keyword search feature on the AcademicWorks landing page. To find a list of SPHHS scholarships, please visit the SPHHS undergraduate or graduate financial aid webpages.

Where else should I look for scholarship opportunities outside of UMass?

Great question! AcademicWorks does not provide a comprehensive list of all scholarship opportunities for which you may apply. There are numerous other resources available which you should research independently, such as contacting your community foundations in your local hometown. Check out the UMass Amherst Financial Aid website for ideas.

Will a scholarship affect my financial aid awards?

Financial Aid Services may adjust your financial aid package if you receive additional scholarship awards. According to federal regulations, a student’s total financial aid may not exceed the estimated cost of attendance or need. Please visit Financial Aid Services if you have a question about a pending scholarship offer and its impact on your financial aid.

I am an international student. Can I apply for scholarships?

Currently enrolled UMass Amherst international students can receive scholarships and complete the General Application in the UMass Amherst Scholarship System. For SPHHS scholarships, please read the eligibility criteria. For more information about receiving financial aid as an international student, visit the International Admissions webpage.

Is my information saved every year in the AcademicWorks system?

Some information might be saved, but the AcademicWorks system does a clean sweep of all the applications after the process is done. PLEASE save all your work on a personal drive.

Why don’t I see any scholarships for communication disorders students?

The communications disorders department does offer department-based scholarships, but they are not managed through the AcademicWorks system. The department will provide students with information about these scholarships and the application process at the beginning of the spring semester.

How do I know if I have completed my scholarship application?

Look at the dashboard on AcademicWorks. It will tell you if your applications are complete.

How do scholarship recipients receive their scholarship funds?

Scholarships are awarded as part of a student’s financial aid package and applied as credits on the student’s UMass Bursar account for the semester of the award. In compliance with federal guidelines, financial aid and scholarships cannot disburse on the student's billing account prior to a maximum of 10 days before each semester begins. If at any time credits on the bill exceed university charges (i.e., tuition, fees, on-campus housing), a refund can be issued for the difference. Students must sign up for Excess Express, the university’s direct deposit for student refunds. To sign up for Excess Express, students need to log in to their SPIRE account.

I am having an issue with the AcademicWorks platform, who can I contact for help?

Please email acadworks [at] umass [dot] edu (acadworks[at]umass[dot]edu) for help with any platform issues.

I am not a current UMass student but plan to apply to the UMass SPHHS. Can I apply for scholarships through AcademicWorks?

Thank you for considering UMass Amherst! We hope to have you part of our community. SPHHS scholarships (except for the Kinesiology Esther Wallace Scholarship) are only available for current students but please visit the University’s Financial Aid website for more information about funding.