A scholarship is financial support awarded based on achievement, financial need, or other criteria to support expenses associated with student education. Many scholarships provide opportunities for students to pursue internships, study abroad, or conduct research. Scholarships do not need to be repaid and they differ from awards in that you need to apply to be considered. We encourage you to apply.
Application
Login to AcademicWorks using your NetID and password to apply for UMass Amherst scholarships. Scholarships offered by the Department of Political Science with Program in Legal Studies open early in the spring semester and are visible in AcademicWorks. Please be aware that application deadlines and criteria are specific to each opportunity.
Resources
General Information and Additional Resources can be found at the SBS Pathways website.
Your Political Science Advising Team is always ready to help. To meet with an academic advisor just make an appointment in Navigate.
Opportunities
John W. Lederle Endowed Student Internship Fund in Public and Non-Profit Service Scholarship
Established by Angie K. Lederle in the name of her husband, John W. Lederle, former President of University of Massachusetts, 1960 – 1970, to provide financial aid for selected undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who would benefit from practical internship experience with local, state, and national government or non-profit agencies. First generation college students, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and students with documented financial need are particularly encouraged to apply. Internships must take place in either summer 2022 or fall 2022 with a local, state, or national government or non-profit agency. Award amount: $1,000 - $2,000
Sheldon Goldman Scholarship
The Sheldon Goldman Scholarship was established to honor Professor Goldman for his nearly 50 years of teaching, service and research in the Department of Political Science and to celebrate his promotion to Distinguished Professor. It is designed to provide assistance to a Political Science junior or senior who has demonstrated excellence in Public Law and Judicial Politics. The recipient must have a GPA of at least 3.5. Award amount: $500 - $1,000
The Paul and Lynn Hohenberger Scholarship
The Paul and Lynn Hohenberger Scholarship was established by Paul ('87) and Lynn Hohenberger to support Political Science or Legal Studies majors with connections to Holyoke, MA. The recipient must demonstrate financial need and be eligible for university financial aid. Preference is given to students who reside in or were born in Holyoke, but students who have interned or volunteered in the city, currently work there, or have demonstrated an interest in the city in some other way are encouraged to apply and explain their connection to the city in their essay. Award amount: $2,500
George Goodwin, Jr. Scholarship
The George Goodwin, Jr. Scholarship is given annually to an academically strong Political Science major who has expressed and demonstrated an interest in a career in public service. The scholarship was established by George Cole ’56 ‘62G and faculty in the department of political science to honor a great teacher and colleague. Award amount: $500 - $1,500
Edwin Gere, Jr. Scholarship
The Edwin A. Gere, Jr. Scholarship for the Study of State and Local Government was established by Steve Etkin ’81 in honor of Political Science Professor Emeritus Ed Gere, an outstanding professor of public administration and state and urban politics and a heroic pilot in WWII and the Berlin Airlift. It recognizes students with academic and professional interests in state and local government and politics. Students who wish to intern abroad in order to learn about state and local governments of other countries are welcome to apply. Award amount: $500 - $1,500
Feder Family Scholarship
The Feder Family Scholarship was established by Daniel ’84 and Mary ’85 Feder to support political science students interested in studying American political thought or who wish to conduct research with political science faculty in the areas of American politics or American political thought. Recipients must have a GPA of 3.5 or greater. Award amount: $500 - $1,000
Nathaniel B. Hill Debating Fund
This scholarship was established in honor of Nathaniel B Hill, Captain of the 1934 Debate Team, to recognize an outstanding debater each year. Recipients must be Political Science majors and members of the UMass Debate or UMass Mock Trial teams. Award amount: $500
Luther Allen Scholarship
The Luther A. Allen Scholarship is named in honor of Political Science Emeritus Professor Luther A. Allen, who taught at UMass from 1952 until his retirement in 1985. It supports undergraduate students in good academic standing with demonstrated interests in international relations and Francophile studies, including French-speaking nations and/or provinces. Award amount: $500 - $3,000
Dennis Crowley Scholarship
The Dennis Crowley Scholarship is granted to a junior or senior political science major with financial need and a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in criminal justice. Award amount: $1,500 - $3,000
Tracy Lee Maker Memorial Scholarship
The Tracey Lee Maker Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time Political Science major on the basis of, first, demonstrated financial need and, second, outstanding academic achievement. Recipients are normally selected during their Sophomore or Junior years, making scholarship funds available the following year. This scholarship was founded in memory of UMass Amherst student Tracey Lee Maker. Born in 1963, Tracey enrolled in the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the fall of 1981. As a student, Tracey’s first introduction to political science was through the introductory course, World Politics. She later pursued academic interests relating to international relations, political theory, and civil liberties. She was a sister in the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Tracey died in 1988 before completing her bachelor’s degree and this scholarship was established by her family in her honor. Award amount: $500
Jerome M. Mileur Internship Fund
The Jerome M. Mileur Internship Fund was established in honor of Political Science Professor Emeritus Jerry Mileur’s retirement. It is designed to support undergraduate students majoring in Political Science who pursue internships in Washington, D.C., especially internships with elected officials or political parties. Award amount: $1,000 - $2,000
Sheldon E. and Joan S. Smith Scholarship
The Sheldon E. and Joan S. Smith Scholarship for Public Service was established by Grant ’81 and Melissa (Smith) ’80, ’85 MPA Peacor. It is designed to provide assistance to a deserving junior or senior year student majoring in political science who is interested in pursuing a career in public service at the federal, state, or local level. The recipient must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and preference is given to a student with active involvement/volunteer work at the University or in his/her community and who has interests in public policy. Award amount: $1,500
Robert G. Wilson III
The Robert G. Wilson III Scholarship was started by alumnus John Wilson to honor his father Robert Wilson, who fully supported John in his study abroad while at UMass. John is pleased to offer other UMass students a similar opportunity and experience through this scholarship. The Scholarship supports an undergraduate Political Science major who has been accepted into a study abroad program for the upcoming fall, spring, or summer semester. Students of all class years are eligible to apply, and no GPA requirement exists. Study abroad programs must be approved by the International Program Office. Priority is given to students who have taken at least 5 Political Science courses. Award amount: $1,500
