Frequently Asked Questions about Merit-Based Scholarships at UMass Boston
- Does this office offer information on ALL scholarship opportunities?
- How much are scholarships worth?
- Why do I have to be a MA state resident to qualify for scholarships?
- Why are there so few scholarships for graduate students?
- I am a continuing student, why can I not apply for scholarships until I have earned 24 credits HERE?
- Why do I have to be enrolled full-time to be eligible for scholarships?
- I have a very high GPA. Will I automatically receive a scholarship?
- I already submitted my transcripts to the Admissions office, why can't they just send a copy to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships?
- Once I apply, how long do I have to wait for a decision?
- Why do I have to write a "thank you note" if I have been selected to receive a scholarship based on my ability?
- Will a merit-scholarship awarded through this office impact my need-based financial aid?
General
1. Does this office offer information on ALL scholarship opportunities?
NO. The Office for Merit-Based Scholarships manages all scholarships offered through UMASS Boston ONLY. We do not manage outside scholarships. You may wish to pursue outside scholarship opportunities by visiting Teri College Access located at the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library. Or on-line at www.tericollegeaccess.org. If you are already receiving an outside scholarship, you must address all inquiries and concerns to the entity funding the scholarship and not to this office. Checks for outside scholarships are paid directly to the Bursar's Office. Inquiries about the receipt of checks should be addressed there.
2. How much are scholarships worth?
Amounts vary for all scholarships. For new students, some scholarships
provide for full tuition and fees, others only for tuition, still others
for smaller, fixed amounts. Some are renewable, others are one-time awards.
Scholarships for continuing students (those who have more than 24 credits
at the University and apply through the Comprehensive Scholarship round
in the fall semester) range from as little as $50.00 to as much as $2000.00.
Students are not precluded from winning more than one.
3. Why do I have to be a MA state resident to qualify for scholarships?
With the exception of the Student Enrollment Leaders Program, all scholarships offered by the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships require valid Massachusetts state residency. We are a state institution, benefiting from state tax dollars. Residents of the state are entitled to certain privileges at the University. One such is paying a reduced tuition rate. Another is the ability to qualify for merit scholarships.
4. Why are there so few scholarships for graduate students?
The word "scholarship" implies undergraduate study. You will find that there is not a lot of free money available for graduate study in general; this is not unique to UMass Boston. We do have a limited number of scholarships open to graduate students because the donors of these programs have made that stipulation. Graduate students who received their undergraduate degree at UMass Boston may be eligible for the Julie Rodick Scholarship. All other programs open to graduate student application are for students in the Graduate College of Education only.
5. I am a continuing student, why can I not apply for scholarships until I have earned 24 credits HERE?
Because the bulk of our scholarships are made possible through gifts to the University. The donors are interested in supporting students who have proven they can be academically successful at UMASS BOSTON.
6. Why do I have to be enrolled full-time to be eligible for scholarships?
Again, this is a stipulation placed by most donors.
Applying
1. I have a very high GPA. Will I automatically receive a scholarship?
Your scholarship application is evaluated based on all of the information you submit. While earning a high GPA and submitting a positive recommendation will certainly help you, the evaluation of your essays is a vital part of the selection process. It is to your advantage to put some thought into how you will respond to the questions asked and to proofread carefully.
2. I already submitted my transcripts to the Admissions office, why can't they just send a copy to the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships?
Although the Office for Merit-Based Scholarships is able to obtain transcripts on file with the Office of Admissions, it is preferable for applications to arrive complete.
3. Once I apply, how long do I have to wait for a decision?
The scholarship decision making process can be lengthy. Committees that include many faculty members evaluate applications on several levels. Several weeks is not an unusual length of time. It is the policy of this office to notify all applicants whether they are selected or not. Therefore all applicants will know when the process is complete.
4. Why do I have to write a "thank you note" if I have been selected to receive a scholarship based on my ability?
You may think of it as a "thank you note", but we prefer to think of it as a "letter of acknowledgement". Remember, these scholarships are funded through gifts to the University. Donors who make these gifts like to know how their money is being spent. It is important for them to be aware of how much of an impact even a relatively small gift can make to a student. This is why we ask all recipients to write a short note. Donors are interested in YOU. A well written note can often generate another gift.
5. Will a merit-scholarship awarded through this office impact my need-based financial aid?
It can. This office is required to notify the Office of Financial Aid Services of all awards made. If you are receiving full financial aid, you may not be eligible to receive scholarship funding in addition. In reality, this situation hardly ever occurs. What does happen frequently is that students whose financial aid packages include loans are able to replace that loan funding with the free money of a scholarship. Although there is no net gain in terms of additional funding, the student is able to reduce their indebtedness.