View of students walking on campus with Old Chapel in the background
Priorities

We will revolutionize access to higher education.

Revolutionizing access means giving each student opportunity and support, equipping them to navigate abundant career options when they graduate, and watching the incredible return on that investment of time and talent. Access underpins the entire UMass experience.

Excellence is only possible through access

Access is more than admission. UMass Amherst is committed to reducing the obstacles that prevent students from making the most of learning opportunities. Your support ensures every individual is able to rise as far as their ambition will take them.

A headshot of Jillian Clark in a vintage store in Amsterdam. Photo credit: Stu Shirra
Spotlight: Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration

From Pointe Shoes to Planet-Saving Fashion

Alumna Jillian Clark ’08, founder and CEO of Roboro, is using her Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) to tackle the textile waste crisis.

Initiatives for student access and support

Scholarships and fellowships

Undergraduate scholarships and graduate student fellowships enable students to choose UMass Amherst and pursue their passions. Our goal is to expand the number and size of scholarships and fellowships university-wide.

Mentoring and professional development

Peer coaching, mentoring, and career advising helps students find their strengths and build their networks. We strive to establish programs that deepen student engagement and promote personal agency.

Wellness programs and health promotion

UMass Amherst has a holistic vision for student health. As a Health Promoting University, we embrace physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. Our goal is to inspire students to strengthen our campus culture and surrounding communities.

Internships, research, and study abroad experiences

Paid internships, study abroad, and research opportunities demystify life after college. We will expand access to these experiences to create a pool of diverse and well-prepared young professionals.

Textbooks and learning materials

The cost of textbooks is a massive challenge for students once they enroll. Our acclaimed Open Education Initiative provides alternatives to high-cost textbooks. It's saved students $2.3 million over the past 12 years.

“Financial aid has empowered me to make the most of my college experience, from excelling academically to gaining real-world experience through internships.”

Abbey Berry ’25
Isenberg School of Management
Abbey Berry headshot
Untraditional student headshots: Paris Brantley, Lauren Leonardis, and Damion Middleton
Spotlight: University Without Walls

Scholarships Make a Difference for Nontraditional Students

Supported by generous donor-funded scholarships, nontraditional students can forge their own paths to a degree through UMass Amherst University Without Walls.

See how UMass is transforming access to education and empowering students to thrive.

From Passion to Profession
  • Revolutionize Access

From Passion to Profession

Undergraduates can create personalized majors to merge multiple interests into one degree through the Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration program.
Setting Students on the Path to Success
  • Revolutionize Access
  • Isenberg School of Management

Setting Students on the Path to Success

Scholarships did more than just allow Jacob Nevins ’27 to choose UMass Amherst. They ensured that he would have flexibility and equitable access to high-impact programs and activities that prepare him for the…