UMass Amherst

Incoming Students: Scholarships & Financial Support

General Scholarship Information

The University of Massachusetts Amherst awards both academic and non-academic scholarships. Academic scholarships are awarded based solely on a student’s academic record--SAT scores, GPA, class rank (if available), major-related coursework, and/or audition or portfolio results. Most academic scholarships are not need-based. In general, entering students do not need to participate in a separate scholarship application process to be considered for the following UMass Amherst scholarships. When they file their application for admission by the stated application deadline, they are also automatically considered for these scholarships. In many cases, scholarship notification accompanies the acceptance letter.

UMass Amherst offers scholarships to Commonwealth College freshman admits whose SAT and GPA profile is especially strong. Other factors are also considered. Please note that UMass Amherst does not use the GPA provided by the high school but instead recalculates a GPA for every applicant, using the same weighting for honors, AP, and college coursework. This recalculation is done in accordance with the standards outlined by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

More information on these and other UMass scholarships for entering students is available through the University Admissions website.


Commonwealth College
and UMass Amherst
work together to ensure
that all academically talented
students can afford the education they deserve.

See the UMass Amherst Financial Aid website for more information on financing your education.