CWC YIS Scholarship

What is YIS? 

YIS: Your Intervention Strategies is a bystander intervention program that helps you recognize ways you can take action when you witness something concerning. 

YIS offers strategies you can use any time you see a situation that makes you think “someone should do something.” These strategies include support, educate, lead, empower and transform. 

Learn more about the YIS strategies.

What is the CWC YIS Scholarship? 

The annual $1000 scholarship acknowledges a student who intervened to help create a safer and more welcoming UMass community. To apply: tell us about a time you stepped in as an active bystander at UMass and connect your actions to one or more YIS strategy. 

Who is eligible to apply?  

Undergraduate UMass students of any major, who:   

  • Will be enrolled in Fall 2025 

  • Are in academic good standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA    

  • Have no conduct violations related to violence, harassment, or hazing.   

How do I submit my application? 

The application can be accessed through UMass’ Academic Works beginning on Friday 1/31/25. After filling out the base Academics Works application, search for “CWC YIS Scholarship” on the platform to find the application.  

Applications will be accepted until March 24th, 2025.  

Story Submission Guidelines

Your application will include a story about a time you stepped in as a bystander to help our UMass Amherst community. You can choose any one of these formats: 

  • 450–550-word essay 

  • 1–3-minute video 

  • 5-10 slide presentation, using words and images to tell your story.  

Your submission should:  

  • Briefly describe the situation that inspired you to intervene. What did you say or do? 

  • Discuss which YIS strategy best describes what you did. If multiple strategies fit, you are welcome to name more than one. 

  • Share the outcome of the situation.

Do not include:  

  • names of other people    

  • identifiable information about others   

Please remember, this is about your experience, not about the experience of who you might have helped. If creating a video or sharing pictures on a slide presentation, only you should appear. 

 Before submitting, please make sure...  

  • Did my story take place at UMass?  

  • Did I connect my actions to one or more YIS strategies?  

  • Have I avoided naming anyone else?  

If the answer to all three questions is YES, your story is ready to submit.   

Additional prompt ideas:  

  •  My preferred YIS strategies are....  

  • This YIS strategy matches my strengths/personality...   

  • I learned...   

  • I was motivated to get involved because...   

  • Strengths I have...  

  • If I could do it again, I would...    

  • I've reflected on...