Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards

Mr. Matthew Fishlinger '07 and Mr. William J. Fishlinger '71 established the Fishlinger Family Endowed Scholarship in June 2017 to provide merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. This scholarship is intended to provide an annual, merit-based scholarship to a high achieving BSOS undergraduate student who has been deeply impacted by personal or medical challenges. This scholarship is renewable through the recipient's senior year, provided they maintain their good academic standing (3.2 GPA or higher). 

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered: 

• Currently enrolled BSOS undergraduate student. Preference given to rising sophomores, majoring in Government & Politics, but all BSOS majors may apply.
• Exhibit exemplary academic standing, as evidenced by a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
• Exhibit financial need, as evidenced by submission of Financial Aid Offer Statement and Personal Statement of Financial Need.

The following materials must be submitted to complete your scholarship application:
 

1. Transcript (official or unofficial) – Student’s cumulative GPA from the University of Maryland will be considered
2. Resume (1-2 pages)
3. Short Bio (250 words or less) – Include year of study, major, other activities relevant to scholarship and professional activities
4. Short Answer (250 words or less) – Please describe your medical or personal hardship and how that has affected your educational and career goals?
5. Academic Reference – Name and email of one University of Maryland faculty or staff member who can speak on behalf of your academic performance and candidacy for a scholarship based on the qualifications set forth. (Note: you should request permission to list this person as your reference, but they will not need to submit a letter.)
6. Statement of Financial Need – Brief personal statement regarding your financial need, if any, and how a scholarship would benefit you. (Note: you do not need to receive financial aid/assistance to qualify for a scholarship)
7. Financial Aid Awards Statement – This is only required if you receive any form of financial assistance (other scholarships, loans, grants, etc.). Your statement, if applicable, may be viewed by visiting http://www.testudo.umd.edu/, clicking on "Financials" (in the left menu bar), then "Show me my Financial Aid Status" (green button), then “Print Your Award Information” (under the “Awards” tab in the top menu bar).

Questions regarding this scholarship or the application process should be directed to bsos-scholarships@umd.edu.

The Sebastian Herbstein Memorial Scholarship in Fiction Writing will be awarded to an undergraduate student engaged in any major or discipline of study at the University of Maryland who shares Sebastian’s passion for fiction writing and excellence in storytelling.

One $1000 cash prize for first prize and sometimes a second $600 cash prize for runner-up, will be awarded for works of short fiction of 5,000 words or less.  The winning pieces will be posted on the Sebastian Herbstein Memorial Award Website and will be invited to LitFest, a celebration of creative writing prizes held each May. The award winners may list the honor in their resumes.

Learn more about the Sebastian Herbstein Memorial Scholarship here.

The Jay G. Cohen Memorial Student Opportunities Endowed Scholarship Fund provides support to undergraduate University of Maryland students who have a strong interest in pursuing a career as an attorney. This fund supports costs related to the preparation and application for law school. Funds may support costs for part (or all) of an LSAT preparation course and/or additional expenses incidental to the law school admissions process (e.g. application fees, transportation for visits, etc.) The monetary award for the is variable, typically ranging from $250 to $1,500.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Exhibit exemplary academic standing, as evidenced by a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Have completed at least 75 credits at the University (including transfer and Advanced Placement credits)
• Exhibit demonstrated financial need, as evidenced by submission of Personal Statement of Financial Need.
• Intent to pursue law school after graduation
• Preference given to students with junior class standing. 

Due date for applications are normally in March-May.

The following materials must be submitted to complete your scholarship application:

1. Transcript (official or unofficial) – Student’s cumulative GPA from the University of Maryland will be considered
2. Resume (1-2 pages)
3. Short Bio (250 words or less) – Include year of study, major, other activities relevant to scholarship and professional activities
4. Short Answer (250 words or less) – Briefly, describe your career goals and explain how receiving this aid supports your goals. Ultimately, list how you plan to directly use these funds. (i.e. LSAT prep, LSAT registration, law school application fees, etc.)
5. Academic Reference – Name and email of one University of Maryland faculty or staff member who can speak on behalf of your academic performance and candidacy for a scholarship based on the qualifications set forth. (Note: you should request permission to list this person as your reference, but they will not need to submit a letter.)
6. Statement of Financial Need – Brief personal statement regarding your financial need, if any, and how a scholarship would benefit you. 

Questions regarding this scholarship or the application process should be directed to bsos-scholarships@umd.edu and Greg J. Shaffer, Esq., Associate Director, Pre-Law Advising, gshaffer@umd.edu. 

These funds assist undergraduate BSOS majors engaged in experiential learning outside the classroom, including internships, research, conference attendance. 

The application is currently closed. If you are seeking funds for an unpaid Summer 2023 internship, please check out the Bright Futures Scholarship Fund through the Division of Student Affairs.  Applications accepted until 5 PM on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Learn more about BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds here. 

The BSOS Summer Scholars program supports undergraduate students doing independent research projects with faculty in the summer. Recipients will gain a competitive edge when applying for graduate study, national scholarships, and other awards. Students may expand their research into an independent study or Honors thesis during the following fall semester. The program is modeled after, but separate from, the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research (MCUR) Maryland Summer Scholars Program. It is expected that students apply for both MCUR and BSOS Summer Scholars, though they may only accept one. The BSOS Summer Scholars program runs annually in the Spring Semester.

There will be a maximum of four awards of $3,000 each. Due date for applying is normally in February.

Learn more about BSOS Summer Scholars here. 

The BSOS College may be able to provide $500-$1000 in need-based financial aid to undergraduate BSOS majors who are admitted and confirmed in a UMD approved education abroad program. Students who wish to request need-based financial assitance from the BSOS College for this purpose should simply apply for financial aid with Education Abroad via Scholarship Universe. There is no need to apply separately to the BSOS College for consideration.

The College of of Behavioral and Social Sciences "Be the Solution" Fund supports scholarships and awards for academically talented and engaged students.  These scholarships are supported, in part, by the generous donations of alumni, friends, and parents of the College. 

The “Be The Solution” Scholarship is awarded to a select group of rising seniors in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences who have demonstrated outstanding academic accomplishment at Maryland, as well as financial need. Students are nominated for this award by the College. No application materials are required.

If you are a currently enrolled BSOS undergraduate student experiencing a short-term financial emergency, please complete the campus Student Crisis Fund - Economic Crisis Response Grant Application and email bsos-scholarships@umd.edu to let us know you have applied. The BSOS College will work with the campus Student Crisis Fund to help ensure we are able to provide the maximum assistance to the maximum number of students possible.