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. 

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 2025 UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies scholarships is Thursday, January 23 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications will open on Friday, November 1. To apply for spring 2025 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 scholarships offered by other programs. Here's how:

1. Go to the UMass Amherst scholarship system and click on the maroon sign-in button.
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 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 2024–25 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.

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 spring 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.

UMass Amherst offers two additional 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. 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.