Founders' Scholarship

An elite scholarship, the Founders’ Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees, as well as food and housing for four years for high-achieving Massachusetts residents. See below for a full list of what is and isn't covered by the Founders' Scholarship.

Your next steps

1. Apply to UMassD.
2. Complete the Founders' Scholarship application (log in using your UMassD application portal credentials) which includes: 
   • your high school transcript
   • a short essay statement on why you're a good candidate
   • a list of your extracurricular activities and accomplishments
   • a nomination form completed by an administrator at your school*

*We will email a link to the nomination form to the administrator.

The Fall 2026 application is closed. Finalists will be selected in January, and the two recipients will be announced in mid-February.

Email founders.scholarship@umassd.edu with questions for Admissions or our current Founders' Scholars.

Eligibility

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

• be a Massachusetts resident
• have a weighted cumulative GPA of 4.0
• score a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, or apply test-optional

Not sure if you meet all of the requirements? Submit your application, and we’ll reach out to your school counselor to discuss your eligibility.

Being a Founders' Scholar

When awarding the scholarship, we're looking for enthusiastic students who will become an integral part of our community and represent the university at admissions events. You'll be required to:

• live on campus
• work as an admissions ambassador 

What's covered

After grants and scholarships are applied, the Founders' Scholarship will cover:

• tuition
• mandatory fees
• standard double room
• up to an unlimited meal plan
• university health plan if unable to meet the minimum requirements of health insurance required by Massachusetts state law

Not covered: enrollment deposit, housing deposit, books, parking permit, fines (ex. parking ticket, damaged room, etc.), and Orientation, transcript, Mass Pirg (waivable), graduation, and alumni fees

Learn more about recipients and their plans for the future

• Olivia DeSimone '27
• Zachary Gay '28
• Molly Gedutis '28
• Kailey Sousa '27
• Audrey Nortey '29
• Jack Greene '29