A Message from the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships

UMass Boston is proud to offer many scholarship opportunities to students. The Office for Merit-Based Scholarships manages scholarship programs funded by or through the university. During the 05-06 academic year, the office oversaw the distribution of approximately $1.6 million in scholarship funding.

Unlike financial aid which is based on need, most scholarships at UMass Boston are based on merit. Merit almost always means academic performance, but can also mean community service, or excellence in the arts.

There are two key times to consider scholarships opportunities at UMass Boston. The first is after you are accepted, but before you enroll at the university. This applies whether you are entering as a freshman, directly from high school, or as a transfer student. The largest scholarships are awarded at the point of admission. For more details about scholarships for new students, including deadlines, please click the “How to Apply: As a New Student” link on the left.

Once you have entered the university, you are not eligible to be considered for merit scholarships until you have earned a significant number of credits. The minimum is 24, in residence at UMass Boston. Scholarships for continuing students tend to be spring semester, one time awards. For more details about scholarships for continuing students, please click the “How to Apply: As a Continuing Student” link.

Some important things to keep in mind:

• Scholarships offered by the university are currently limited to Massachusetts state residents.
• Scholarship implies undergraduate status.
• Scholarships are not emergency sources of funding. They generally require an application and a selection process.