Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Applications for BSOS Spring Undergraduate Experience Funds Open Now!


If you are a BSOS student with financial need that is preventing you from taking advantage of an experiential learning opportunity, apply for BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds. 
Applications for unpaid spring 2023 semester experience will be considered on a rolling basis between January 9, 2023 and January 25, 2023 or until funds have been exhausted. 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Submit a complete application (all questions answered) by the Best Consideration Date is January 16, 2023.
  • Have completed at least one semester (fall 2022 or earlier) at the University of Maryland.
  • Have at least one semester (spring 2023 or later) left as a student at the University of Maryland.
  • Be enrolled in a BSOS major or an ENSP, NEUR, or SDSC major track housed within the BSOS College.
  • Notifications will be sent on a rolling basis for those that apply by the "best consideration" date. Applicants who apply after the best consideration date can expect to receive a response the following Friday after application has been submitted. 
    All recipients will be asked to submit a Thank You video, which will be shared with the donor(s) of the fund you are receiving. Questions regarding BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds or the application process should be directed to bsos-scholarships@umd.edu.
  • Complete the learning experience for which you apply in spring 2023. If you choose not to complete the experience, you must notify the Selection Committee (bsos-scholarships@umd.edu) and the funds will be rescinded.

These funds assist undergraduate BSOS majors engaged in experiential learning outside the classroom, such as unpaid internships, research, service-learning, and professional or academic virtual conferences. The funds are intended to help offset expenses related to such activities including, but not limited to:

  • travel/transportation expenses
  • professional attire
  • software/technology, material needs, not provided by employer/University, but essential to the experience. 
  • conference fees
  • opportunity costs, (i.e., the need to give up a part-time paid job in order to take an unpaid internship.)

If you are a BSOS student with financial need that is preventing you from taking advantage of an unpaid opportunity, we encourage you to apply for BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds.

Additional Information:

  • Preference in selecting awardees will be given for activities where financial obstacles would likely prevent a student from participating.
  • Preference will be given for unpaid experiences in not-for-profit, government, or educational organizations, rather than in for-profit companies.
  • 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 learning experience per application cycle, but may only receive funding for one experience.
Questions regarding the scholarships or the application process can be e-mailed to bsos-scholarships@umd.edu.