CASA: Scholarships

The School of Public Health’s Resiliency Scholarship Fund was established to help currently enrolled students avoid an interruption in their college studies due to an unforeseen emergency. (Please Note: Insufficient Financial Aid and out Out-of-State Tuition do not constitute an unforeseen emergency.) This fund will help the school respond to immediate financial situations that directly impact the student's ability to attend and function in classes. Students considering emergency financial support should understand that these programs offer limited help, and are not intended to be a secondary form of college tuition.

To qualify:

• Applicant must be a current School of Public Health major. Priority is given to students with SPH as a primary major.
• Applicants must have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Applicants must have at least one semester left as a student at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Applicants must provide adequate documentation of the unforeseen emergency resulting in a financial burden.
• Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their Award Package from the Office of Student Financial Aid site. Must have current  FAFSA or MSFAA on file with OSFA.
• Applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation and information.

This scholarship cannot be used for:

• Electronics, such as computers, phones, tablets or other personal devices  
• UMD Parking permits or tickets
• Loss of clothing or household items do to fire or theft

Visit the UMD Student Crisis Fund page to learn more about additional crisis funding to help in these situations.

To apply for the Resiliency Scholarship, please click here. For more information please contact sphscholarships@umd.edu.

Additional resources:

• Campus Pantry
• Fostering Terp Success
• Student Success Emergency Scholarship Fund
• Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance Program
• Undocumented Students Financail Resources 
• Scholarships Regardless of Immigration Status 

The School of Public Health Scholarship Fund was established to support undergraduate and graduate students in the pursuit of exceptional educational opportunities. Examples of opportunities can include, but are not limited to, conferences, academic research, and experiential learning. The scholarship is designed to assist in covering expenditures incurred by the student directly related to the opportunity, but may not cover the full expense of the opportunity.

Undergraduate Applicant requirements:

• The applicant must be a current School of Public Health major.  Priority is given to students with SPH as a primary major.
• The applicant must have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• The applicant must have at least one semester left as a student at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• The applicant must have a sophomore standing or higher.
• The applicant must be in good academic standing.

Undergraduate Additional Information:

• Preference will be given for NEW, rather than continuing, experiences (i.e. starting a new internship, as opposed to continuing in a position from a previous semester or summer).
• These funds are NOT designated for study abroad experiences. Visit the Education Abroad Scholarships page to learn more about study abroad funding.
• Students may apply for funding for more than one experience per application cycle, but may only receive funding for one experience.
• Applicants will be required to submit verification of the experience. If verification is not submitted funds must be refunded to SPH.
• Funds may not be used for tuition.
• Applicants must provide a projected itemized statement of how funds will be utilized.
• Recipients will be recognized at the School of Public Health’s Convocation Ceremony in May.

This scholarship was established in 2008 to honor Dr. Jerry P. Wrenn. Dr. Wrenn was a faculty member, student advisor, assistant/associate dean of student services, and finally dean of the College of Health and Human Performance (which became the School of Public Health), where his commitment to undergraduate education was well-known. Each year, this Scholarship helps fund outstanding SPH rising/current seniors who demonstrate financial need. Students in all SPH degree programs, including Public Health Science students at Shady Grove, are eligible to apply for a Wrenn scholarship if they meet the academic requirements.

In order to qualify, students must have:

• A minimum of 90 applicable credits earned by the end of the current semester (a minimum of 24 must have been earned at UMD)
• At least one semester left as a student at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health, cannot be in their final semester of study.
• A primary major in the School of Public Health
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from the University of Maryland
• Demonstration of financial need. Must have current FAFSA or MSFAA on file with OSFA. Must provide a copy of their UMD Award Package from OSFA.

For more information on how to apply, please contact sphscholarships@umd.edu.

Recipients will be recognized at the School of Public Health’s Honors Convocation Ceremony each May.

Maureen Gleason Bryant is the founder of Spontaneity LLC, and a 2001 graduate of the Department of Family Science, having returned to complete her degree after working full-time. The donor established this scholarship in honor of her mother, Irene Wallace Gleason Baxter, who believed in life-long learning. Irene (July 11, 1936-September 25, 2018) studied nursing and worked on Wall Street. She married John “Jack” Gleason following his graduation from West Point in 1957. The family moved to Maryland in 1970 where they lived for 31 years. She held various positions on Capitol Hill and with the Maryland State Legislature. Irene was a two-time cancer survivor.

This $2,500 scholarship was designed to assist students who have taken a break away from a formal degree program and now have returned to complete their education in the School of Public Health at UMD. Recipients will be recognized at the School of Public Health’s Convocation Ceremony in May.

Applicant Requirements:

• The applicant must be a current undergraduate School of Public Health major.  Priority is given to students with a School of Public Health primary major.
• Must have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Students must not be in their final semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Must be sophomore standing or higher.
• Must be in good academic standing to apply for the scholarship.

• Must have spent a minimum of two years away from a formal degree program. The following are examples of breaks in education:​
  • Student was a University of Maryland student who took a minimum of two years off from school and returned to the University.
  • Student was enrolled elsewhere, took a  minimum of two years off from school and transferred to  the University of Maryland . This includes other four year institutions and community colleges.
  • Student graduated from high school, took a minimum of two years off from school and now  attends the University of Maryland.

For more information please contact sphscholarships@umd.edu.

This merit-based award, given each spring while funds permit, will recognize one Public Health student or a team of students who demonstrate excellence in social action through a planned event, campaign, or project designed to improve the well-being of traditionally marginalized group(s). 

The amount of the award will be $1,500.The social action activity can be undertaken on a for-credit or not-for-credit basis. Recipients will be recognized at the School of Public Health’s Convocation Ceremony in May. Recipient(s) will be expected to provide a written thank you letter to the Curbow-Carlberg Family and attend the School of Public Health Annual Convocation.

Applicant Requirements:

• Must be a current undergraduate School of Public Health major.  Priority is given to students with SPH as a primary major.
• Must have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Students must not be in their final semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.

Applicants must supply the following to be considered:

• Detailed proposal of the planned for social action event, campaign, or project that including and address the following:
  • Detailed description of the planned social action event, campaign, or project
  • Background information and details about target population this project, campaign or event will address
  • Intended impact to improve the well-being of the target population
  • Duration and/or timeline of  event, campaign, or project
  • Itemized budget that should be as specific as possible, including units/quantities of items when applicable
  • Plan for evaluation event, campaign or project
• Resume(s)
• Letter of support (i.e. from professor, employer, mentor, or other professional reference)

Note: If a group is seeking the award, those taking the lead on the initiative must meet the criteria, but others who are assisting with the initiative can be of any standing.

 Complete the Student Action Social Award application.

The Bright Futures Unpaid Internship Scholarship awards students with need-based scholarships ranging from $250-$1,250 to help offset expenses incurred during unpaid internships. If you are an undergraduate student who has secured an unpaid internship with a non-profit or government agency you are eligible to apply.

Learn more and apply for the Bright Futures Unpaid Internship Scholarship.

Transfer students may apply for the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship if they qualify. This merit scholarships provide financial awards to some of the University of Maryland’s most academically talented transfer students. Transfer applicants that apply by the March 1 early action deadline for priority fall admission consideration, are automatically reviewed for some of these merit scholarships, while others require a separate application.

The Federal Government provides aid to more than 10 million students each year with grants, low interest loans and work-study programs. The Federal student aid programs are the largest source of student aid in America. These programs provide more than $80 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance.