New Student Scholarships
$1,000 Boston City Scholarships
The University of Massachusetts Boston has committed $2 million to fund the new Boston City Scholarship program. Graduates of any Boston public high school who demonstrate academic achievement and are admitted to the university will automatically be considered for a $1,000 scholarship that is renewable annually for four years.
The program is the product of an agreement between the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and UMass Boston to transfer a parcel of property to UMass Boston in exchange for scholarships to Boston Public School students that will encourage them to attend and graduate from college.
Eligibility
Students must be
- a Boston public high school graduate
- admitted to UMass Boston with a 3.0 recalculated grade point average (GPA) or above
- admitted to UMass Boston as a full-time undergraduate
- accepted for the fall semester immediately following graduation
- a Boston city resident and valid Massachusetts resident
Annual Renewal Requirements
Students must
- maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above
- attend UMass Boston full-time to qualify for annual renewal for up to three more years
No separate scholarship application is required. Scholarship recipients will be identified through their admissions application. To qualify, apply for admission by April 1st of your high-school senior year.
Seven More Ongoing Scholarships, One Application
- The Chancellor’s Scholarship for Excellence Program
- Mark Atkins Scholarship Program
- The Samuel Brehm Scholarship Program
- The Stephen J. Sweeney Scholarship Program
- The Bernard R. Sneed Scholarship Program
- The Michael A. Ventresca Scholarship Program
- Student Enrollment LEADERS Program
Chancellor’s Scholarship for Excellence Program
Provides full tuition and mandatory fees, until you graduate as an undergraduate.
The Chancellor’s Scholarship and the Honors Program
Some applicants who are accepted to the university as freshmen prior to April 1 may be offered this full scholarship and an invitation to join the Honors Program based upon their impressive credentials submitted at the time of application for admission. Additionally, students with slightly lesser credentials, may apply directly for this scholarship. To qualify for an invitation to the Honors Program with a companion Chancellor's Scholarship, entering freshmen must demonstrate
- a minimum (recalculated) grade point average of 3.5
- at least 1200 on the Critical Reading/Mathematics portions of the SAT
- Massachusetts residency required
- completed application process and be accepted by April 1st
Eligibility to apply for Chancellor's Scholarship:
- open to freshmen and transfer students (minimum 3.5 transfer GPA to qualify to apply)
- must demonstrate the potential to maintain a 3.2 GPA here
- must qualify in one of the following areas:
- academic excellence
- excellence in the arts
For applicants in academic excellence
- freshman applicants must have both an overall recalculated GPA of 3.2 or higher AND a combined SAT score of 1150 or higher on the Critical Reading/Mathematics portions
- transfer students must have a minimum of 24 transfer credits and a minimum transfer GPA of 3.5
For applicants in the arts
- finalists will be asked submit a portfolio of your writing or visual arts work at a later time
- or to appear for an audition if you are selected as a finalist in the performing arts
Requirements
- a completed application form
- one letter of recommendation written by a professional able to supply details about your academic excellence or talent in the arts
-
an essay of between 750 and 1,000 words addressing one of the following topics:
- Evaluate a significant challenge you have met, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced, and describe its impact on you
- Describe your position on an issue of local, national, or international concern and the process by which you arrived at this position
- Or submit an additional copy of your admissions essay with your separate scholarship application
- most recent academic transcript
- Massachusetts residency required
Take sufficient time and care in preparing your essay.
Deadlines
- March 1 for Round I Consideration for fall semester
- June 1 for Round II Consideration for fall semester
- December 15 for consideration for spring semester
Decisions will be issued approximately three weeks from deadlines.
The Mark Atkins Scholarship
Alumnus Mark Atkins created this scholarship for newly entering freshman students who are longtime residents of the city of Boston.
Eligibility
Open to applicants who
- have lived in Boston for ten or more years,
- have demonstrable financial need,
- have strong academic potential, and
- have an entrepreneurial spirit.
Requirements
- a completed application form
- one letter of recommendation
- a high school transcript
Deadline: April 1
The Samuel Brehm Scholarship
Awards up to $5,000 each to several recipients who are graduates of the Boston or Chelsea public school system. The award can be renewable.
Dr. Harold and Mrs. Ella Brehm established this scholarship program in 1987 in honor of Dr. Brehm’s father to encourage its recipients to pursue a four-year college education.
Eligibility
- must be a graduate of Boston or Chelsea public high schools
- have demonstrated strong academic potential,
- are in need of financial assistance, and
- are entering UMass Boston full-time as freshmen or transfer students
Requirements
- a completed application form
- a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with information released to UMass Boston
- one letter of recommendation
- an autobiographical essay
Deadline: March 1
The Stephen J. Sweeney Scholarship Program
Provides up to $2,700 for up to three students who have shown the potential for academic success.
Established to honor, preserve and extend the legacy of Stephen J. Sweeney, the former chairman and CEO of the Boston Edison Company. His outstanding achievements in business reinforced his commitment to give generously of himself to the community.
Eligibility
- open to applicants who have participated in school activities or community service
- graduates of a Boston public high school (Admissions Guaranteed Program [AGP] preferred)
- in need of financial assistance
- entering as freshmen
Requirements
- a completed application form
- a valid FAFSA with information released to UMass Boston
- two letters of recommendation
- an autobiographical essay
Deadline: April 1
The Bernard R. Sneed Scholarship Program
Provides a $500 award, based on academic achievement and financial need, to one entering freshman annually.
Established by the UMass Boston Alumni Association to honor Bernard R. Sneed, community activist and graduate of UMass Boston who, as director of UMass Boston’s Columbia Point Field Office, played an important role in establishing the neighborly relationship between the university and the nearby community.
Eligibility
- open to applicants who are residents of the Harbor Point community or the surrounding neighborhood, and
- members of an ethnic group historically underrepresented in higher education
Requirements
- a completed application form
- a valid FAFSA, with information released to UMass Boston
- proof of Massachusetts residency
Deadline: Varies. Please inquire.
The Michael A. Ventresca Scholarship Program
Provides the recipient(s) with awards ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 annually. Awards may be renewable.*
Established to honor Michael Ventresca’s spirit of public service and his belief in the promise of democracy.
Michael A.Ventresca, president of UMass Boston’s first graduating class in 1969, was a political idealist, activist, and lawyer who died tragically in 1985.
Eligibility
- open to applicants who graduated from a Massachusetts high school
- shows evidence of concern for others and an interest in public service through extracurricular activities or community service
- demonstrates the potential for academic success and the prospect of continuing in public service upon graduation
Requirements
- one letter of recommendation detailing your suitability based on eligibility
- a personal statement of 300-500 words describing your community service in a school,community or public service organization
- a completed application form
- a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with information released to UMass Boston
Deadline: April 1
* Depending on funding levels and the number of students renewed, new applications may not be accepted every year.
Student Enrollment LEADERS Program
- open to out-of-state students
- awards $1,000 annually
- administered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Eligibility
- high-achieving students who are interested in representing the university at key events
- open to both freshmen and transfer students
- a minimum grade point average of 3.0
- must be enrolled full-time
- must work 10 hours per week for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- will also serve as tour guides and goodwill ambassadors at several admissions events throughout the year
Requirements
- a completed application form
- an autobiographical essay
- an official transcript
Nomination Scholarship Programs
Requirements
- Massachusetts residency required
- Must be nominated by community college presidents, high school headmasters, principals, or others
- Contact your school guidance office or the office of your community college president for consideration
- Not all nominees will be offered scholarships, only finalists
- Nominees will be notified by the university
- Nominations are recommendations only. Scholarship awards must come from UMass Boston only.
The William M. Bulger Award and Scholarship Program
- Provides four years of tuition and most mandatory fees annually to one outstanding high school graduate from a public or private high school in the city of Boston.
- Established in honor of William M. Bulger for many years of devoted service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a state representative, senator, and senate president; and as the past president of the University of Massachusetts.
- Recognizes and encourages an outstanding student who exemplifies President Bulger’s philosophy of perseverance in pursuit of educational and personal goals.
Nomination Procedure
- Each headmaster and high school principal must submit the required documents to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships
- Only one graduating senior per school allowed
Requirements
- one letter of recommendation from the nominating headmaster or principal
- a typed essay of 500-1,000 words addressing the topic: “The Value of a College Education” by the nominee
Deadline: April 15
The Foster Furcolo Scholarship Program
Awards two-year scholarships covering tuition and most mandatory fees to one graduate of each public community college in Massachusetts.
Established to honor Foster Furcolo served as governor of Massachusetts from 1957 to 1960. He was instrumental in the creation of the system of public community colleges in the Commonwealth .
Nomination Procedure
Each community college president may select one student for recommendation and submit a letter describing the nominee’s qualifications for the Furcolo Scholars to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships. The letter may come from the transfer and/or advising officer at each community college.
Final selection will be determined by UMass Boston. Not all nominees will be offered scholarships.
Eligibility
- must exemplify the success of the community college system in accomplishing the educational mission envisioned by Governor Furcolo
- earned an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
- a Massachusetts resident
- must be a first time, full-time student enrolling for fall semester immediately following graduate from the community college
- must graduate from your community college in the spring preceding fall entrance at UMass Boston
- not available to applicants from community colleges graduating in the winter term
- nominated students may not have attended UMass Boston in the past
Deadline: April 15
General Requirements for ALL scholarships for newly entering students
- recommendations must attest to your character and your qualifications for a particular program. Letters from teachers/instructors are preferred.
- submit the letter of recommendation to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships
- submit an additional copy of your transcript to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships, which operates independently of Admissions.
- submit a personal statement of 750-1000 words focusing on the area of your planned career, or on some other current activity, and how this interest is linked with your own life history and family, unless you are writing on a topic specified by the particular scholarship
- type your essay and give it an appropriate title
- Scholarships are limited to Massachusetts residents seeking to earn their first bachelor's degree
If applying to more than one nomination program, each of your letters of recommendation must specify the program(s) for which you are being you are applying. Also submit one copy of your essay for each program.
Scholarships: Elizabeth Peterson’s Story
"The Chancellor’s Scholarship allowed me to explore my major in a hands on setting. Pursuing these options has cultivated my passion for child psychology." Read More
