Scholarships for SBS Students

2016 Ansin Study Abroad award winners stand with Ron Ansin and his family

We offer a variety of scholarships to support you and help you reach your academic and professional goals. If you are pursuing internships, studying abroad, or working on research projects, we encourage you to apply. SBS also provides financial support for outstanding academic achievements, need-based situations, and work-related endeavors.

Before submitting your application, be sure to read our Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications.

For questions about scholarships, send us an email. 

Spring 2017 scholarship applications are now closed. The next application cycle will begin in fall 2017.

 

Scholarships and Awards by Category

Internship Awards

 

SBS Internship Award

Funded by multiple donors, this award supports SBS students who will complete internships during the the summer or fall 2017 semester. Candidates must be in good academic standing with at least 45 credits. Preference will be given to students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and those with financial need. Preference will be given to students with confirmed offers from employers. Students who are awaiting formal confirmation may still apply. All internships must be confirmed to receive the award. Please note: seniors graduating in Spring 2017 are not eligible to apply.

Average award: Approximately 5 awards of up to $2,000.  |  Deadline: TBA

Eligibility: SBS majors taking unpaid or underpaid internships connected to their professional interests or field of study  

 

Scott J. Bacherman Internship Award

Two $3,000 awards are available for journalism majors who have secured internships in media fields such as, but not limited to, print, broadcast, convergent, digital, emerging or cross platform; or those who have secured internships in journalism, sports, entertainment or public relations. One $3,000 award will support a student of any major in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences who has secured an internship in media fields such as, but not limited to, print, broadcast, convergent, digital, emerging or cross platform; or those who have secured internships in journalism, sports, entertainment or public relations. Preference will be given to students who have experience, paid or unpaid, in campus media including but not limited to WMUA, TV19, Daily Collegian or Amherst Wire. Eligible recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have demonstrated financial need as determined by the financial aid office. 

Deadline: TBA

 

Merriam Internship Award

Supports students taking summer or semester-long internships in public policy, law, ecological conservation, and/or real estate development. Preference will be given to juniors and those who have financial need as determined by the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Office. Candidates must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Preference will be given to students with confirmed offers from employers. Students who are awaiting formal confirmation may still apply. All internships must be confirmed to receive the award. Please note: seniors graduating in Spring 2017 are not eligible to apply.

Average award: Two awards of up to $1,500 will be made in the spring. | Deadline: TBA

Study Abroad Awards

SBS Study Abroad Scholarship

Funded by multiple donors, this award supports SBS students who will study abroad during the spring semester, or during winter and spring break. Candidates must be in good academic standing with at least 45 credits. Preference will be given to students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and those with financial need. Study abroad scholarship programs must be approved by the International Program Office.

Average award: Approximately 10-15 awards of up to $2,000.  |  Deadline: TBA in fall 2017

 

Ansin Study Abroad Fellowship

Supports undergraduates in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences who plan to study abroad during the summer, fall semester or for a full year.

Average award: Approximately 20 scholarships, averaging $1,000 each are given in the spring. | Deadline: TBA

Research Awards

 

Alan and Carol LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Award

Supports SBS undergraduates who are working as research assistants with a UMass Amherst faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Recipients receive a stipend to support up to 10 hours per week during one semester of substantive research assistance on a collaborative research project.

Average award: five awards of $2,000 each are given annually in the spring  |  Deadline: March 31, 2017

 

Feldman-Vorwerk Family Undergraduate Research Award

Funded by Deputy Chancellor Robert Feldman and his wife, former faculty member Katherine Vorwerk this scholarship supports an undergraduate student who is working as a research assistant with a UMass Amherst faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Preference is given to candidates who are conducting original research that has the potential to address current social problems.

Average award: three awards of up to $2,000 are given annually in the fall.  |  Deadline: TBA in fall 2017 

Eligibility: SBS majors who have set up collaborative research projects with a member of the UMass Faculty. The faculty sponsor should submit a nomination describing your fit and qualifications for the targeted project.  

 

Robert C. and Margaret A. Cole Undergraduate Research Award

Funded by Alumni Robert Cole and his wife Margaret Cole this scholarship supports an undergraduate student who is working as a research assistant with a UMass Amherst faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Preference is given to candidates who are conducting original research that has the potential to address current social problems.

Award: one award of up to $2,000 is given annually in the fall.  |  Deadline: TBA in fall 2017 

Eligibility:  SBS majors who have set up collaborative research projects with a member of the UMass Faculty. The faculty sponsor should submit a nomination describing your fit and qualifications for the targeted project. 

 

Financial Need

 

William M. Bluestein Memorial Scholarship

Supports an SBS student with demonstrated academic and/or career interests in economics, technology or public policy. Preference will be given to students who are first in their family to attend college and those who have demonstrated financial need.

Award: one award of up to $2,000 awarded annually in spring & distributed in fall.  |  Deadline: March 10, 2017

 

Sam Butterfield Daily Collegian Memorial Scholarship

Supports a student (any major, campus-wide) who works at The Daily Collegian and has demonstrated financial need. The successful candidate will also possess outstanding journalistic skills and ethics, a passion for news reporting.

Award: one award of up to $1,000 is awarded annually in the spring.  

 

The Joel D. Lapin and Family Scholarship in Social Sciences 

Created to honor the memory of Joel's parents Aaron and Anne Lapin. Their love, sacrifices and support enabled him to be the first in his family to attend and graduate college.  It expresses his appreciation of UMass Amherst for the superb undergraduate and graduate education that he received. This scholarship supports an undergraduate student from Massachusetts with a declared major in the SBS with a GPA of at least 3.0. Preference given to a student who has transferred from a Massachusetts Community College and is the first in his/her family to attend college. Must have demonstrated financial need and this scholarship is intended to support those from middle-income families who qualify for financial aid, but not for free sources of funding. Award is renewable for one year if the student maintains the GPA and financial need requirements. 

Award: one award of $1,500 awarded annually in spring & distributed in fall.  

 

Dr. Charles W. and Doris J. Solt Scholarship

Supports an SBS student who is in excellent academic standing and exhibits financial need. Preference will be given to out-of-state students. Additional preference will be given to students who indicate they are the first in their family to attend college.

Award: one award of up to $1,000 awarded annually in spring & distributed in fall.  

 

Gordon and Dolores Sutton Scholarship

Provides financial support to undergraduate students who are attending the University after overcoming personal and/or financial hardship. This award is open to all full-time UMass students.

Award: one award of up to $2,000awarded annually in spring & distributed in fall.  |  Deadline: March 10, 2017

Additional Awards and Award Sources

 

SBS Dean's Opportunity Fund 

Supports juniors with declared majors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Candidates must have a 3.5 GPA or above and 45 residential credits. Qualified students will receive an email with notification of eligibility and an invitation to apply early in February.

Average award: 12-15 awards of $1,500 are awarded annually in the spring.   |  Deadline: March 10, 2017

 

Lawrence and Anna Wikander Scholarship

This fund provides scholarship support to a student who has chosen to earn a General Educational Development (GED) credential rather than a traditional high school diploma. Preference is given to candidates whose majors are in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, however students from the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the College of Natural Sciences are also eligible.

Award: one award of at least $1,000 is awarded annually in the spring. Funds are typically distributed in the fall.  |  Deadline: March 31, 2017

 

Power Up for College Success Program Scholarship 

Provides a scholarship to incoming first-year students to take part in the Power Up for College Success Program. This one-credit course helps students get acclimated to campus, develop a network of friends and learn the skills that will help them succeed in college. Students also attend a College Success Workshop where they learn about the myriad of opportunities at UMass Amherst in order to help them begin to develop an educational plan. 

Average award: 5 – 10 awards to cover the full cost of this program (the number of awards is based on availability of funds)  |  Deadline: July 14, 2017

 

Other Sources

Financial Aid Resources page 
Alumni Association Scholarships
Commonwealth Honors College  (NOTE: Not all of these awards are for honors students - read carefully)
Office of National Scholarship Advisement

 

Don't forget to check in with your major department to see what scholarship funds they have available.