Scholarships
UMass Amherst Scholarships
As part of our commitment to access in higher education, UMass Amherst awards hundreds of scholarships each year, and the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies awards thousands of dollars in need-based scholarships each semester. Explore what opportunities are available and apply.
Next departmental scholarship application date: application deadline Thursday, January 1 for spring 2026.
You can apply for UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships through the UMass Amherst scholarship system. You can also apply to other scholarships, and in some cases, you may even be auto-matched with a scholarship that does not require any additional application materials. Here is a list of our program's scholarship funds.
Rute Avelar Scholarship
Established by Celso Avelar, a long-time friend of UWW, this scholarship honors the memory and spirit of his beloved niece Rute Avelar who passed away in 2003 at the age of fifteen. This scholarship is awarded at least once per year to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need, is in good academic standing, has an area of concentration in Human Services, Mental Health, Applied Psychology or another related field, and whose career goal is to work with people in crisis. Special consideration will be given to applicants who currently work in or whose career goal is to work in the field of suicide prevention.
Rute’s mother wrote the following remembrance: “Rute was very sweet and generous and had a special care for nature, animals and the elderly. She loved to study and did very well in school. She was shy but still very active in school, participating in theater and church. She loved the church and had great faith in Jesus. She was sometimes sad but always wanted to be around cheerful people who liked to make jokes.”
Misty Catherine Bassi Memorial UWW Scholarship
In the spirit and memory of 2009 graduate Misty Bassi, this scholarship is awarded to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing.
UWW Faculty Student Scholarship Fund
Established to honor the dedication and passion of the UWW faculty, past and present, this scholarship is awarded to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing.
Friends of UWW Scholarship
Started by the Friends of UWW alumni group, this scholarship is awarded to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing. Preference will be given to UWW students who are first-generation or from underrepresented groups.
Edward J. Harris Lifelong Learning Fund
Named in honor of a founding director of UWW, this scholarship is awarded to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing. Preference will be given to a parent of a dependent child.
Ruth B. Loving Scholarship
Beloved and renowned as the Mother of Civil Rights in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ruth B. Loving dedicated her life to social justice and community activism, and was a powerful force to be reckoned with until her death at age 100. In 1988, at the age of 73, she earned her bachelor’s from UMass Amherst through the University Without Walls with a concentration in community education. The Ruth B. Loving Scholarship honors and carries forward the legacy of this accomplished and influential alumna by providing support for a socioeconomically disadvantaged UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing. Preference will be given to a student living in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Jeffrey C. Taylor Educational Opportunity Fund
Established by and named after Jeffrey Taylor, UWW alumnus and founder of Monster.com, this scholarship is awarded to a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing.
The application deadline for spring 2026 UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships is Thursday, January 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To apply for spring 2026 UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships, please complete and submit an application in the UMass Amherst scholarship system. You will then be considered for all available UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships for which you qualify, and will have an opportunity to apply for other UMass Amherst scholarships. Here's how:
- Go to the UMass Amherst scholarship system and click on the maroon sign-in button.
- Log in with your NetID and password.
- Complete and submit the General Application.
- In the list of Recommended Opportunities, click on the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Application.
- Complete and submit the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Application. After you complete this step, you will be considered for all available UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships for which you qualify.
- Apply to any other UMass Amherst scholarships that you wish to in your Recommended Opportunities.
You are required to submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words as part of your UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Application. The statement should explain why receiving a scholarship would be important to you in staying on track to graduation and overcoming challenges and/or disadvantages.
Because the scholarships are need-based, your financial need will be confirmed by Financial Aid Services. If you have not done so already, please be sure to complete the 2025–26 FAFSA. If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA for whatever reason, please explain that in your personal statement and let us know if you completed the MASFA.
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT will not help you produce the personal statement the committee is seeking, and using them is not permitted.
Decision emails will be sent prior to the fall add/drop deadline. If you are awarded a scholarship, you may be asked to submit a thank you letter and to answer a series of questions which will be featured on our website as a student spotlight.
Have questions? Need help? Contact the UWW Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Committee.
The E. Marieb Phoenix Fund provides scholarships to UMass Amherst students with financial need whose educations were interrupted for three years or more at any point since high school. Minimum awards are typically $5,000 per semester, and awards are made for the academic year on a rolling basis.
Dr. Elaine N. Marieb, ’85 MS, ’69 PhD created this scholarship to assist deserving students who have, because of family or financial circumstances, had to interrupt their education. This reflects the donor’s own personal history. She had to leave school for a number of years and was only able to return to her education as the result of a scholarship. After graduating, Dr. Marieb completed several graduate degrees, including a PhD in zoology, an RN degree, and a master’s degree in nursing. She was a leading biology textbook author with over two dozen books to her credit. She also wrote the premiere anatomy and physiology textbook, which is used on the UMass Amherst campus, as well across the country and internationally.
Recipients are chosen based on the following criteria:
- financial need
- past academic performance
- have completed at least two semesters at an accredited community college, college, or university, and have achieved a GPA of 3.0 before applying to UMass Amherst
- have interrupted their education for three or more years prior to returning or applying to UMass Amherst
Recipients must carry at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue to be eligible for the scholarship. Recipients must plan to graduate three years or sooner after admission to UMass Amherst.
UMass Amherst offers scholarships reserved for students enrolled in primarily University+ based programs, which includes all UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students. Awards are made for fall, winter, spring, and summer, with application deadlines of August 15, December 7, January 15, and May 7. Apply here.
David A. Cole Scholarship Fund
The David A. Cole Scholarship Fund was established by David Cole in 1983. Mr. Cole is a former continuing education student who changed careers after completing the Real Estate Certificate Program.
This scholarship is available for students enrolled in primarily University+ based programs who are making career changes, demonstrate financial need, and are in good academic standing.
Miriam Williford Scholarship Fund
The Miriam Williford Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Dr. Miriam Williford, former University of Massachusetts Amherst Associate Provost for Continuing Education and Public Service, to continue her commitment to lifelong learning and non-traditional students.
This scholarship is available for students enrolled in primarily University+ based programs who are pursuing degrees or certificates, demonstrate financial need, and are in good academic standing.
UMass Amherst Microgrants
If you are experiencing an unexpected financial emergency such as a loss of income or increase in expenses, resources may be available to you through the Dean of Students Office. We encourage you to apply for a microgrant of up to $500.
Child Care Subsidies
If you are a parent enrolled in at least six credits, you may be eligible for income-based child care subsidies offered through Student Parent Programs. We encourage you to apply for subsidies to help you stay focused on your educational goals.
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
You may be eligible for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program if you live in Massachusetts and work as an educator or provider in an early education and care program that is licensed or funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
Community Foundation Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides financial assistance to students living in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties to help them achieve their goal of graduating from college. To be considered for 2026–27, apply for scholarships by March 31, 2026, after the application opens in January. If you don't live in one of these counties, your community foundation may offer similar scholarships.