BSOS College Merit Awards

Eligibility Requirements

  • Have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland.
  • Plan to attend the University of Maryland during the next fall semester as awards are made for the next fall semester.
  • Be enrolled in a BSOS major or BSOS track within a shared major (e.g. ENSP, NEUR, SDSC).
  • Submit all application materials by the due date (see below). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Meet and maintain the original scholarship qualifications; if not met at the time of fund disbursement, the scholarship will not be awarded.

Application Requirements

  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. Note: each scholarship asks a unique question. You must submit answers for every scholarship to which you are applying)
  5. Name of 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 (current year), if applicable, may be viewed by visiting http://www.testudo.umd.edu/, clicking on "Financial Aid" (in the left menu bar), then click on "MY FINAID ACCOUNT," then navigate to the Access Financial Aid Portal (green button), then “Print” (under the “Financial Aid Offer” tab in the top menu bar). 

Applications for BSOS College Merit Awards for the 2026-27 academic year will open in late March 2026 in Scholarship Universe.  Please visit the Scholarship Universe site and search for BSOS College Merit Awards to submit an application. 

 

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Scholarship Fund

  • The purpose of this scholarship is to support undergraduate students in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences who are in good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or greater) and who, without financial support, would be unable to complete their degree. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,000 (up to six recipients).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – How have personal financial challenges impacted your college experience at the University of Maryland?

Gregory F. Ball Scholarship Award

  • The Gregory F. Ball Award was created in 2015 by Drs. Gregory Ball and Margaret M. McCarthy Ball to support undergraduate students who are enrolled in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, and have a demonstrated interest in biological psychology or neuroscience. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,000 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – What drives your passion for the field of biological psychology/neuroscience?

Katherine Pedro & Robert S. Beardsley Scholarship Award

  • The Katherine Pedro Beardsley and Robert S. Beardsley Scholarship for Outstanding BSOS Student Leaders was established in September 2003 with a gift from Dr. Katherine Pedro Beardsley.  In recognition of College of Behavioral & Social Science student leaders, the former Associate Dean, Dr. Katherine P. Beardsley, along with her husband, established a scholarship award that will acknowledge a College of Behavioral & Social Sciences student who shows strength in academics, merit and leadership. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,500 (two recipients).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – How have your leadership skills evolved since starting at the University of Maryland and how have those skills shaped you as a person?

Irv & Micki Goldstein Scholarship Award

  • The Irv and Micki Goldstein Scholarship was established in December 2002 by Dr. Irwin Goldstein, former dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and his wife Arlene Goldstein. It provides a scholarship award for a rising senior in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences who consistently achieves academic excellence in their studies. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,500 (up to four recipients).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – As a student at the University of Maryland, what is your proudest academic accomplishment and why?

Herskowitz Endowed Scholarship Award

  • The Herskowitz Endowed Scholarship was established in 2015 by Jeffery Herskowitz '90 will support scholarships for students enrolled in any major in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Preference shall be given to students who have performed at least 100 hours of public service in the prior academic year. Preference will also go to students who have graduated from a high school in Gloucester, Camden or Burlington counties in New Jersey; or from William Penn Charter School.  The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,000 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – What public service activity have you completed in the last academic year and how has that experience shaped you as a person?

Parichehr Hedayat Missaghi Scholarship

  • The Parichehr Hedayat Missaghi Scholarship was created in 2015 to honor Parichehr Hedayat Missaghi - beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and a pillar of her community.  This scholarship is intended to provide an annual, merit-based scholarship to a current BSOS undergraduate student, with preference given to students devoted to the defense of women's rights. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $750 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – Please describe how you plan to be a champion for women's equal rights through your education or career.

The Montgomery Family Endowed Scholarship Award

  • In recognition of Dr. Edward Montgomery, former dean of the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, the Montgomery Family Endowed Scholarship was established in January 2012 to award a scholarship to a high achieving rising junior, who demonstrates financial need and is a resident of either an inner city or a small rural community. Preference shall be given to first generation college students and those who participate in a meaningful extracurricular or non-regular classroom experience. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,000 (one recipient).
  • Short Bio (250 words or less) – Include year of study, major, other activities relevant to scholarship and professional activities

Murray E. Polakoff Scholarship Award

  • Established in June 1998 in recognition of Professor Murray E. Polakoff, former dean of the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, the Murray E. Polakoff Scholarship Award provides a scholarship award for a driven rising sophomore or junior student in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences who has shown commitment to serving their campus and community. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $1,000 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – How do you think your college education has helped you serve the campus or your home community?

Portogallo Family Endowed Scholarship for BSOS

  • The Portogallo Family Endowed Scholarship for BSOS was established in 2016 by The Portogallo Family. It provides a scholarship award for a student in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences who is from Nassau or Suffolk counties in Long Island, New York. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $3,500 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – As a student at the University of Maryland, what is your proudest academic accomplishment and why?

Benjamin, Mary, & Maryanne Sharp Endowed Scholarship

  • The Benjamin, Mary, and Maryanne Sharp Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014 by Benjamin C. Sharp M.A. '72, Ph.D. '81 and his wife, Mary. It provides a scholarship award for a student in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences who is a graduate of a secondary school in Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, Africa, or Canada. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $2,000 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – As a graduate of an international secondary school, what unique experiences or challenges have you faced as a student at the University of Maryland?

Jean & Robert Steele Scholarship Award

  • The Jean & Robert Steele Scholarship Award was established in May 2004 by Dr. Robert E. Steele to support rising juniors and seniors who are enrolled in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, and are the first generation of their family to attend college. These students face unique issues on our campus and the recipient of this award should be a person who, without financial assistance, could not complete their undergraduate studies. The monetary award for this scholarship is: $500 (one recipient).
  • Short Answer (250 words or less) – What unique challenges have you faced being a first generation college student at the University of Maryland and how have these challenges shaped your character?