🎓 University of Massachusetts Amherst Scholarships & Merit Aid (2025–2026)
← Back to the College Scholarships Hub • See Massachusetts state aid
- Sticker price vs. what families actually pay on average
- Automatic/competitive merit (Chancellor’s, Flagship & other awards)
- Commonwealth Honors College benefits
- NEBHE regional tuition options
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~59.7% (Fall 2024)
- Middle 50% GPA (weighted): ~4.05 (avg., third-party)
- Middle 50% SAT: 1300–1480
- Middle 50% ACT: 28–33
Sources: Clastify (Fall 2024 admit data); NextAdmit & Amber (score/GPA ranges).
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
UMass Amherst at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
UMass Amherst is a top public research university in New England with strong programs in engineering, business, computer science, and the liberal arts. Admission is test-optional, and high-achieving applicants are automatically considered for competitive merit awards (such as the Chancellor’s or Flagship scholarships).
Students from neighboring New England states may also qualify for reduced tuition on select majors through the NEBHE Tuition Break, and honors students benefit from the Commonwealth Honors College with small seminars, research opportunities, and dedicated housing.
https://www.umass.edu/admissions/articles/admissions-psa-umass-amherst-test-optional-next-three-years
https://nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/find-a-program/
https://www.umass.edu/ours/chc-resources
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/tuition-and-costs
https://www.clastify.com/blog/acceptance-rates/umass-amherst
https://nextadmit.com/blog/umass-amherst-sat-scores/
https://amberstudent.com/blog/post/university-of-massachusetts-amherst-admissions-and-housing
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Maryland (2025–2026)
The University of Maryland (UMD) has posted its 2025–2026 undergraduate cost estimates for tuition, housing, and fees. These figures reflect a typical full-time student living on campus before scholarships or aid.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $12,008 | $41,974 |
| On-Campus Housing & Meals | $16,436 | $16,436 |
| Estimated Annual Total (table items only) | $28,444 | $58,410 |
Note: Other standard allowances in UMD’s budget — Books & Supplies ($1,250), Transportation ($1,514), and Misc. Personal ($1,200) — are not shown above but are included in the university’s full cost-of-attendance model for financial aid.
According to the latest federal data, families pay an average of $15,833 per year after grants and scholarships. Actual costs vary depending on family income, residency, and merit aid.
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Policy
UMD does not participate in regional reciprocity programs such as WUE, MSEP, or NEBHE. Nonresidents pay the standard out-of-state rate, though high-achieving students may earn generous merit-based scholarships such as the President’s, Dean’s, or Banneker/Key Awards that reduce total cost.
Sources: https://admissions.umd.edu/tuition/cost-of-attendance • https://billpay.umd.edu/ • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-maryland-college-park/tuition-and-costs
📚 Automatic Scholarships at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst grants automatic merit scholarships to many admitted students—especially those with strong GPAs and SAT/ACTs. No separate application is required; all first-year applicants are reviewed for merit by the admissions committee.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | Up to full tuition (MA residents only) | 3.9+ GPA, 1450+ SAT or 32+ ACT | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | Top 1–2% of MA admitted students, most also in Honors | Feb 1 (priority) |
| Flagship Award | $6,000–$16,000/year (mainly OOS) | 3.7+ GPA, 1350+ SAT or 29+ ACT | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | Strongest OOS & select in-state | Feb 1 (priority) |
| Dean’s Scholarship | $2,000–$6,000/year | 3.5+ GPA, 1250+ SAT or 26+ ACT | No | Yes (up to 4 years) | Broad academic range, in-state & OOS alike | Feb 1 (priority) |
UMass doesn’t publish hard cutoffs for merit selection. GPA/test bands above are based on recent award profiles for transparency.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Does UMass Amherst automatically consider my student for merit scholarships? Yes—every applicant meeting the deadline is reviewed, no separate scholarship application needed.
Does UMass superscore the SAT and ACT? Yes, the highest section scores across all test dates are used for both admission and scholarship review, maximizing the award offer for qualifying students.
What GPA/test scores do you need for these? For the highest awards, 3.9+ GPA and 1450+ SAT/32+ ACT. The minimum for Dean’s Scholarship is around 3.5 GPA and 1250 SAT/26 ACT, but criteria shift with each entering class.
Can out-of-state students receive these awards? Yes—Flagship and Dean’s scholarships are open to nonresidents, but top in-state students land the highest awards.
Are scholarships renewable and stackable? Yes, they generally renew up to 8 semesters assuming strong academic progress and can be combined with other merit or departmental awards, up to cost of attendance.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
UMass Amherst offers a few competitive awards that require extra steps—especially for honors students and aspiring scientists. These tend to reward students with outstanding academics, leadership, or unique backgrounds.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholarship (Commonwealth Honors) | Full tuition and fees | Top 1–2% of admits; Honors-eligible; 1450+ SAT/32+ ACT, 4.0 GPA | Invitation only (via honors app) | Yes, 4 years | Highest academic profile, leadership/service, usually in-state | Feb 1 (priority), rolling |
| STEM Diversity Scholarship | Up to full cost of attendance | High-achieving, underrepresented STEM majors with financial need | Yes, essay and FAFSA | Yes, maintain GPA and eligibility | URM, first-gen, low-income STEM students; strong faculty recs | Varies; usually Feb–Mar |
| Community Scholarships (via Financial Aid Services) | $1,000–$5,000 | All majors; need, background, or service considered | Yes, reapply each year | Some are renewable | Broad range—service, leadership, academic progress | Feb 1 (priority), varies by fund |
| Research & Leadership Awards (Honors Only) | $500–$2,000 | Current Honors students, active in research or campus leadership | Yes (internal honors app/project proposal) | No (one-time/project-based) | Honors students with faculty/mentor nomination | Spring, varies by award |
FAQs: Competitive Scholarships at UMass Amherst
Do I need to submit a separate application for competitive scholarships? Some awards, especially STEM Diversity and Honors/Research awards, require extra forms, essays, or faculty recommendations. Always check deadlines and apply early.
How competitive are these scholarships? Extremely. The Chancellor’s Scholarship, for example, often goes to the highest 1–2% of applicants. STEM scholarships prioritize need and diversity.
Are competitive scholarships renewable? Most can renew for up to four years if you maintain GPA and stay full-time; always verify the award letter for renewal terms.
Can out-of-state students win competitive scholarships? Yes, but Massachusetts residents typically receive first priority for the largest awards. OOS students should also pursue merit-based and diversity awards open to all.
When will we hear scholarship results? Some awards are offered with your admission, others (especially community and STEM diversity awards) may follow later in spring.
What’s the main deadline to apply? The main merit and competitive scholarship deadline is February 1. Some awards may have later deadlines, but most funds go to early applicants.
Does test-optional apply to competitive scholarships? UMass is test-optional, but high test scores boost your chances—especially for Chancellor’s and STEM scholarships.
Can awards be stacked? Yes, most can be stacked, up to the cost of attendance. Always consult your financial aid office regarding stacking limits and award caps.
Can first-generation students win? Yes—UMass also has awards that target first-gen, low-income, and diversity backgrounds, especially within STEM and honors.
🎓 Honors College at UMass Amherst
The Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) is invitation-only for top applicants (usually about 10% of admits with 3.8+ GPA, strong academic record, leadership, and essays). No separate application is needed. Honors students receive early registration, small seminars, exclusive research/project grants, and access to specialized campus housing.
| Scholarship Name | Award Amount | Eligibility/Notes | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors College Opportunity Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000/year | Incoming or current Honors students, some need-based component | No (auto consideration with invitation/AcademicWorks) | Up to 6 semesters | Top academic profile, often first-gen/diverse/low-income | Feb–Mar |
| Commonwealth Honors (Chancellor’s) Scholarship | Full tuition and fees | Top 1–2% Honors admits; highly selective, GPA ~4.0, SAT 1450+/ACT 32+, leadership | Invitation only | Yes, 4 years | Highest achieving, often in-state, full package | Feb 1 priority |
| Honors Research & Creative Activity Grant | Up to $1,000/project; thesis grants up to $2,500 | Current Honors students, minimum 3.4 GPA, faculty endorsement, project/thesis | Yes—via PATHS or AcademicWorks | One-time/project-based | Research-active Honors with mentor/faculty nom | Rolling (multiple deadlines/spring best) |
| Honors-to-Honors Scholarship (Transfer) | $6,000/year (for two years) | MA community college honors students, first-gen or low income, MassTransfer program | Auto with MassTransfer/honors program | Yes if criteria met | Transfer, Honors invite, strong GPA, CC rec | On transfer/MassTransfer application |
| Honors College Community Scholarships | $1,000–$2,000, up to 4 years | Incoming Honors students, need and diversity emphasized | No (auto matching) | Renewable up to 4 years | Preference: first-gen or URM; variety of donors | Spring entry/first-year |
FAQs: UMass Amherst Honors College
How do students get an Honors invite? Review is automatic for all applicants; decisions rely on GPA (3.8+), test scores (optional but help), essays, leadership, and course rigor[web:1600][web:1637].
Are there special Honors scholarships? Yes—Honors Opportunity Scholarships, Chancellor’s full scholarships, research grants, and community awards, many with a need or diversity focus[web:1599][web:1614][web:1631].
Are Honors scholarships renewable? Most are renewable, usually for up to four years (or six semesters for transfers) if students stay in good standing[web:1600][web:1614].
What about research/project funding? UMass Honors students can apply for $1,000+ research or thesis funding and travel stipends for conferences every year, with faculty approval[web:1632][web:1634].
Can transfer/first-gen/low-income students win? Yes—Honors-to-Honors and Community Scholarships prefer first-gen, transfer, and underrepresented backgrounds (see AcademicWorks)[web:1599][web:1589][web:1631].
Is there dedicated Honors housing? Yes—first-year students and eligible sophomores/juniors can pick from Honors Living-Learning suites and apartments[web:1633][web:1639].
Can you opt out of Honors? Yes—if the requirements feel like too much, students can choose not to accept the invitation or withdraw later.
Does Honors help career/grad school prospects? Yes—Honors research, close faculty, and leadership often give UMass grads a boost for grad or professional school.