UMass Boston

Scholarships for Continuing Students

Have questions about scholarships? Schedule a one-on-one appointment with us.

Each year UMass Boston offers hundreds of scholarships to continuing students. 

The application cycle has opened for the 2024/2025 academic year. Apply today!

While any current UMass Boston student is welcome to submit a scholarship application, competitive applications will typically require applicants:

  • Have a minimum of 24 credits completed at UMass Boston
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0
  • Be enrolled in a degree granting program

Once you have completed your scholarship application, you will be able to view scholarship opportunities that may require additional steps for consideration. Browse these opportunities by clicking recommended opportunities on your AcademicWorks home page and following the Apply Now buttons. Please note priority may be given to students who do not already have significant scholarship aid. 

Check back often as we update the scholarship opportunities available each semester. 

Awards made through this process are typically one-time awards. If selected for one of our competitive continuing student scholarship awards, the amount may range from $500 to as much as $4,000.

If you have any questions about continuing student scholarships please contact us at merit.scholarships@umb.edu.

GRAD Last Mile Scholarship – Rolling deadline until the funding has been exhausted

The purpose of the GRAD Last Mile Fund is to aid students who have non-academic costs that are preventing them from completing their degree, and to help pay university costs, if no other university-based fund is available. The maximum award for the GRAD Last Mile Scholarship is $3,000.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be an in-state undergraduate student
  • Must be graduating in the fall 2024, spring 2025, or summer 25 semester
  • Must have exhausted all available financial aid, including subsidized/unsubsidized loans
  • Must have a financial roadblock that is preventing you from completing your degree (this can include but is not limited to child care, transportation, or past due balances)

How to Apply:
Please Apply Here


This is the only scholarship application not in our AcademicWorks Scholarship System.

Rusty Simonds Award – Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

This scholarship is named for Arthur P. (Rusty) Simonds, an expert in political theory and member of the Political Science Department at UMB for over thirty years. Rusty was an inspiration and a beloved figure to many in the UMB community. Named in his honor, this award is given to an outstanding UMB junior or senior who demonstrates an interest in political theory and who intends to pursue an advanced degree.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student
  • Must have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Have completed a minimum of 60 credits at UMass Boston


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Please upload your current resume.
  2. Please address why you are interested in political theory, or explain who your favorite political theorist is and why (500-600 word essay).

Roger Feinstein Memorial Scholarship for First Generation Students – Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

Provided by a 1992 alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Boston, The Roger Feinstein Memorial Scholarship for First Generation Students is named for a beloved member of the Political Science faculty. It is intended to provide tuition and fees support for the Fall 2023 semester to students who are the first in their family to attend college. Himself a first-generation college graduate, this scholarship is made possible by a generous alumnus of UMass Boston’s Political Science Department. He continues to support first generation students who intend to contribute to society and their communities by working on important social issues. This award is for the upcoming 2024/2025 academic year. 


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a first generation college student
  • Must be a U.S Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Must have earned a minimum of 90 college credits


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Please provide a short answer (500 words or less) describing some challenges you have overcome, your academic interests, and how your intended career path will improve US society in some way.

Jalal Alamgir Memorial Scholarship – Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

The Political Science Department is pleased to announce the Jalal Alamgir Scholarship to be awarded to an outstanding junior-level student in Political Science, International Relations or any other major in the university, who has demonstrated serious interest in and/or intention to pursue further study in the areas of democracy, development, and social justice. Focus on areas of Global South is preferable but not a requirement. These issues were near and dear to the heart of UMass Boston Professor Jalal Alamgir, for whom this scholarship is named in memory.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be have a demonstrated interest in and/or intention to pursue further study in the areas of democracy, development, and social justice
  • Must be a full-time undergraduate student
  • Must be a junior-level student
  • Must have a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Please explain your current or future interest in studying democracy, development and social justice. (600-800 word essay)
  2. Please upload your current resume

Elizabeth Bussiere Scholarship - Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

This scholarship is named for Elizabeth Bussiere, a political science professor at UMass Boston, for her dedication and commitment to UMB students. It is awarded to political science majors on the basis of their outstanding academic performance and their interest in public policy, law, social justice and community service, broadly defined and related to U.S., comparative, or international politics.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a Political Science or International Relations major
  • Must be a full-time undergraduate student
  • Must have earned a minimum of 12 credits at UMass Boston


How to Apply:

If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Please upload your current resume
  2. Please describe a political issue that you feel passionately about and the value you see in using a Political Science approach in order to understand it. (600-800 word essay)

Barron Internship Award: Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

The purpose of the Fund is to provide two undergraduate students per year with financial resources that allow them to participate in Congressional internships in Washington D.C. Recipients will be known as Barron Interns. This award is for the 2025/2026 academic year.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Are you planning on participating in a Congressional Internship in Washington D.C. in the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year

How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Are you planning to participate in a Congressional Internship in Washington D.C. this coming academic year?
  2. If Yes please share any details about your planned internship.

David C. Knapp Political Science Scholarship – Deadline: Friday, February 21st, 2025

This scholarship is named for David C. Knapp, a former Political Scientist and President of the University of Massachusetts who wished to promote the study of politics and public affairs. It is awarded to a student primarily on the basis of outstanding academic performance, but also considers additional factors such as public and community service, career goals, and personal background. This award will provide two awards of up to $2,500.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have completed at least 3 UMass Boston Political Science classes
  • Must be a full-time undergraduate student
  • Must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at UMass Boston


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Have you taken at least 3 UMB political science classes?
  2. Please address any public or community service you have undertaken, or would like to undertake, as well as explain the value you see in such service from a political science, as well as personal, point of view. (500-600 word essay)
  3. Please upload your current resume

The Alumni Association Scholarship – Deadline: Friday, February 28th, 2025

This scholarship is made available to UMass Boston undergraduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to the university through campus involvement, leadership roles, etc. Recipients must have financial need. This award does not have a minimum GPA, but strong academic records or a demonstrated improvement over time are considerations.


This scholarship is funded by the Alumni Association of the University of Massachusetts Boston. The recipients and final award amounts are determined by the Alumni Association Board of Directors Scholarship Committee. 


The Alumni Association of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization formed to support UMass Boston’s students and the University’s mission.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be an undergraduate student in good academic standing


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application and then complete the opportunity specific questions as listed below:

  1. Would you like to share any other information about ways you participate in the campus community that were not expressed elsewhere in your application?
  2. Are you the child of a UMass Boston alumnus? If yes, please provide their full name and address, and approximate graduation date.
  3. Please provide a letter of recommendation.

ABSN Fuld Scholarship – Deadline: March 21st, 2025

This Scholarship Fund is for Accelerated Nursing students in the spring semester each year who might otherwise not be eligible to apply for continuing student funding based on the timing of their degree program, this is typically students who began their studies in the fall 2024 semester. Awards of up to $1,000 will be assigned to a limited number of recipients for the spring 2025 semester.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be a degree seeking undergraduate student in the Accelerated Nursing Program who began in the fall 2024 semester
  • Must be in good academic standing


How to Apply:
If you meet the eligibility criteria as listed above please submit a general scholarship application by the application deadline to be considered.

Financial Aid

UMass Boston
Campus Center, 4th Floor
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125

Phone: 617.287.6300
Fax: 617.287.6323
Merit-Based Scholarship