Scholarships

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. 

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 for fall 2021 UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships will open on June 1. To apply for fall 2021 UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships, please complete and submit an application in the UMass Amherst scholarship system by August 25 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. You will then be considered for all available UWW Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships for which you qualify, and will have an opportunity to apply for scholarships offered by other programs. Here's how:

1. Go to the UMass Amherst scholarship system and click on the maroon sign-in button.
   [Please note that due to system maintenance, one or both sections of the application may be unavailable to you between July 22 and August 1.]
2. Log in with your NetID and password.
3. Complete and submit the General Application.
4. In the list of Recommended Opportunities, click on the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Application.
5. 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.
6. Apply to any other UMass Amherst scholarships that you wish to in your Recommended Opportunities.

You are required to submit an essay of no more than 500 words as part of your UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Scholarship Application. In addition to telling your story, the essay 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 2021-22 FAFSA. If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA for whatever reason, or if there is any additional context on your financial need that you would like the committee to consider, please include it in your essay.

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 University Without Walls offers two additional scholarships reserved for students taking classes through UWW. 

David A. Cole Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is available for UWW students who are making career changes, demonstrate financial need, and are in good academic standing. Awards are made four times per year.

Miriam Williford Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is available for degree-seeking UWW students who demonstrate financial need, are in good academic standing, and can demonstrate a life-long history of active involvement in learning and non-traditional education. Awards are only made during spring semester.