Scholarships

UMass Lowell generally and the English department specifically have a number of scholarships to help support students. You apply for these scholarships through an application system designed to help match you (based on your specific qualifications) with the scholarships you are eligible to receive. And you should apply—sometimes these scholarships do not get a lot of qualifying applications.

Every year at the start of February, the Riverhawk Scholarship portal opens for student applications. Applications can be submitted in February or March, and the exact start and end dates are posted on the portal. Decisions for most awards are made in the spring, and the relevant funds apply to the following academic year’s tuition and fees.

The UMass Lowell application system will find all the awards for which you are eligible (except for the Friedman, for which a link to the application is included below). Some of the awards specific to English majors are listed below.

Streep Scholarship

Considered by many to be the greatest actress of our time, Meryl Streep visited UMass Lowell in April of 2014. Her great empathy for her characters has distinguished her work in film, television, and theatre for almost three decades. This scholarship is provided through an endowment from Ms. Streep to the UMass Lowell English department to support English majors whose extra-curricular activities have contributed to the artistic and cultural life of the university community.

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on financial need and exceptional merit. Students must be U.S. citizens and in good academic standing (2.500+ GPA). Applicants should demonstrate a record of vibrant contribution to extra-curricular activities that contribute to the cultural and artistic life of the university.

Dickens Scholarship

This award was instituted following the Dickens and America conference, which took place in Lowell in 2002. Charles Dickens was fascinated with the progressive nature of the Lowell mill system and admired the accomplished mill workers. Upon his visit to the city, he praised the model of industry established here.

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on financial need and merit. Applicants must be permanent residents of the Merrimack Valley; preference will be given to students from the city of Lowell.

Griffin Scholarship

This award honors the memory of Professor Robert Griffin, a beloved teacher, a scholar of T.S. Eliot and Walt Whitman, a great fan of UML hockey, and a lover of the theater. All who knew him remember Professor Griffin’s remarkable energy and commitment to his community, both at the university and beyond. Professor Griffin was “unfailingly kind, patient and attentive--a model for all of us.”

Sampas Scholarship

John Sampas was a longtime benefactor of the university, and of the English department in particular. A Lowell native, Sampas was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university in 2015. For many years, Sampas served as the literary executor of the estate of world-renowned writer Jack Kerouac, who was also a Lowell native.

King Scholarship

This scholarship is provided through an endowment from Stephen and Tabitha King to the UMass Lowell English Department to support English majors—especially creative writers—in our department. King explained in his visit to UMass Lowell in December 2012, “Writing requires not just a creative mind and some good ideas, but also dedication to the craft.” We seek applicants who show through their work such a creative mind and dedication to the craft.

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply.

Interchange scholarship

The Interchange Scholarship Endowment Fund provides a scholarship to promote continuing education for students who intend to pursue a career in the field of professional writing--especially students concentrating in Journalism and Professional Writing. Applicants must submit an e-portfolio that includes a resume and showcases three or more examples of their writing/communications that they have submitted to a public audience (e.g., Connector articles, internship work, blog posts, writing for a nonprofit, etc.). Applicants should provide a brief explanation of each piece. The e-portfolio should also include a homepage that explains the e-portfolio’s contents and a page that provides a reflection about the students’ overall experiences in and ambitions for professional writing. Students are strongly encouraged to use the university's free Digication platform to create this e-portfolio. English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply.

Friedman Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Professor Arthur Friedman, a much-loved professor of Shakespeare and the dramatic arts. Colleagues and students alike appreciated his humor and wit. A theatre reviewer for the Boston Herald, Professor Friedman also loved performing and was active in many productions at the Loeb Drama Center and Agassiz Theatre.

English majors with at least sophomore standing who will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one semester as full-time students (12+ credits) are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on merit and supports students with an interest in dramatic literature or theatre history. Students should complete the Friedman Scholarship application form and submit by email to Nancy Selleck: Nancy_Selleck@uml.edu.