Disability Services Scholarship Application (3 scholarships)

This application is used for the following three scholarships: The Class of ’43 “Making a Difference” Scholarship, the Joseph V. Gavin “Keep the Faith” Scholarship, and the James M. Begin Endowment Fund.

Candidates should be registered with Disability Services at UMass Amherst. All candidates must have completed a minimum of 24 credits at UMass Amherst and be making “reasonable” academic progress in a degree program. Awards will be based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement. Graduating seniors, previous winners, and graduate students are welcome to apply. Students with disabilities not currently registered with Disability Services are encouraged to contact Disability Services for registration procedures. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted as part of the application. One should be an academic / career reference and the other a personal reference. References cannot be submitted by family members.

Applications are available and may be submitted using alternative formats. If you have any questions regarding or require assistance with the application procedures, please contact Disability Services at (413) 545-0892. Please note that monetary prizes are processed through the Financial Aid Office and posted to the student’s University account. Positive balances are issued as a check by the Bursar’s Office.

Class of ’43 “Making A Difference” Scholarship
Students registered with Disability Services at UMass Amherst are eligible for this scholarship.

James M. Begin Endowment
Established to distribute available earnings of the Fund without restriction by the Director of Disability Services on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus, with preference for students with or having had cancer, and with a further preference for students enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration program.

The Joseph V. Gavin “Keep the Faith” Scholarship
The Joseph V. Gavin “Keep the Faith” Scholarship was established in 1992 by family members and friends to honor the memory of Joseph V. Gavin, class of 1990. Candidates should be enrolled at UMass Amherst facing extraordinary physical challenges. Preference will be given to students with cystic fibrosis. It is expected that candidates will provide medical documentation unless currently registered with Disability Services.

Award
Varies
Deadline
02/16/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please write a brief biographical essay (up to 750 words), which shares your experiences, philosophy and/or any words of empowerment related to your disability.
  2. Please upload your unofficial academic transcript.
  3. Please list any extraordinary expenses you incur as a student (e.g. medical expenses, adaptive technology).
  4. Please enter the name and email address of your academic / career reference.
  5. Please enter the name and email address of your personal reference. Please note that your reference may not be a family member.
  6. I authorize my chosen references to furnish Disability Services the information and evaluation requested as part of my application. In this connection, I hereby waive my right of access to said evaluation in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
    • Date
    • Electronic Signature
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