Current Students
Whether you need to check your citation requirements or apply for scholarships, you've come to the right place.
Scholarships for
current Scholars and Citation earners
Co-curricular scholarships provide financial assistance of $100–$750 to current Scholars and citation earners to support active learning, such as research projects, for-credit internships, service-learning or global learning experiences.
Applications via Scholarship Universe are currently being accepted for Summer '26 and Fall '26 experiences.
Apply for the Martha and Ira Berlin Legacy Fund Scholarship
This scholarship provides awards to current Scholars and citation earners who are seeking to expand their Scholars experience by participating in research, community service, internships or study abroad. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that these activities are tied to a well-defined scholarly or creative project. Applications for the Berlin Legacy Fund Scholarship typically open in late spring.
Deadline to apply was May 4, 2026.
Apply for the Randall G. and Susan Woodfield Hoffman Scholarship
This scholarship provides awards to rising Scholars sophomores, with preference given to first-generation college students who have demonstrated financial need according to the FAFSA, who demonstrate academic merit, and an interest in campus activities.
Deadline to apply was May 4, 2026.
Apply for the Meghan Price Scholarship for Leadership and Public Service
This scholarship provides awards to currently enrolled students who have earned their College Park Scholars citation and still have at least one remaining semester of undergraduate study. Honoring the legacy and promise of Scholars Public Leadership alumna Meghan Price, this scholarship provides at least $1,000 for students dedicated to leadership and service. Applications for the Meghan Price Scholarship for Leadership and Public Service typically open in late spring.
Deadline to apply was May 4, 2026.
Apply for the Rebecca Basena Kampi Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship provides awards to currently enrolled students who have earned their College Park Scholars citation and still have at least one remaining semester of undergraduate study. Honoring the legacy of Scholars Public Leadership alumna Rebecca Basena Kampi, this scholarship provides at least $1,000 to students working to promote social justice and equity as a means of changing lives and the world for the better. Applications for the Rebecca Basena Kampi Memorial Scholarship typically open in late spring.
Deadline to apply was May 4, 2026.
Founders Awards
Each year, College Park Scholars gives out Founders Circle Awards, named for the visionaries and administrators who founded and built College Park Scholars in the 1990s. Awardees are students from the latest Citation class who exemplify some of the program's core values and ideals. Self-nominations are encouraged.
Founders Award applications for 2025 were due on September 10.
Professor Ira Berlin (1941-2018) was a renowned scholar of American history who specialized in the history of slavery in early America and the United States and taught at the University of Maryland for more than forty years. In 1994, while serving as dean for undergraduate studies, Berlin was the guiding force behind the establishment of College Park Scholars, an innovative interdisciplinary living-learning program for academically talented students. He and his wife Martha Berlin (1942-) were and are champions of Scholars and firm believers in its commitments to interdisciplinary inquiry and to critical and integrative thinking.
The Martha and Ira Berlin Legacy Fund Scholarship provides awards to College Park Scholars students who have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in expanding their Scholars experience by participating in research, community service, internships, or study abroad. Awards are for $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the level of need and the type of activity undertaken. Awards will be made in the spring for projects to be undertaken in the coming summer or academic year.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- A writing sample from a course that counts toward their College Park Scholars citation (e.g. colloquia, and/or supporting courses). The writing sample must be free of any instructor comments or grades.
- An essay of no more than two pages, describing how their Scholars experience has had an impact on their writing.
The Katherine McAdams Leadership Award honors a young woman who has proven to be an effective leader among Scholars during her freshman and sophomore years, by recognizing leadership that is demonstrated through appointed, elected, or voluntary positions. Applicants should demonstrate a sense of civic duty and social responsibility, practicing leadership in an inclusive, empowering, and ethical manner.
The award amount is $500.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- An essay of no more than two pages, describing and analyzing their leadership style and merit for the award. The essay should include possible next steps candidates may take to continue developing their leadership skills.
The Beth and John Pattison Award for Creativity honors a Scholar who has exhibited exceptional creativity and innovation during their freshman or sophomore year. This creativity will have made a positive impact in College Park Scholars or the local or surrounding community. Creativity is interpreted broadly; it may be in the areas of art, architecture, creative writing, science, service, research, or technology.
The award amount is $500.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- An essay of no more than two pages on the product of their creativity, using the analytical lens developed in Scholars courses or experienced in Scholars field work. In the essay, applicants should also address what creativity means to them. If the creative project was produced for a course, the course title, semester and instructor should be identified. Students may also submit a copy of the original work or photographs of the work, if desired.
The Phyllis Peres Award for Study Abroad honors a Scholar with interests in international and global affairs. Applicants should exhibit scholarly attitudes, display academic excellence, emerging global competencies, and demonstrate learning as a result of having studied abroad.
The award amount is $500.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- A sample of work from their study-abroad experience in the form of a paper, website or PowerPoint presentation. This sample should demonstrate learning related to the course content and objectives. The course title, instructor and semester enrolled should be specified.
- An essay of no more than two pages, analyzing their emerging global competencies as a result of having studied abroad. The essay should include possible next steps candidates may take to enhance their global awareness and cultural competencies.
The Nancy and Ira Shapiro Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award honors a Scholar who has demonstrated excellence through a research project related to his or her Scholars program. This project must demonstrate active collaboration between a faculty mentor and the student and fulfill the mission of discovery, which is to encourage students to investigate primary sources and existing research literature, unearthing interesting questions for further exploration.
The award amount is $500.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- A copy of their research paper or poster, including an abstract of the research project. If the research was part of a team initiative, applicants must describe the particular role they played in the overall research effort. If the research was published or presented at a conference, applicants must identify the conference or publication, date, and any co-authors or co-presenters.
- An essay of no more than two pages, analyzing what they learned from this research experience through the lens of what they have learned in their Scholars courses and field experiences. Applicants should conclude their essay by identifying what next steps they may take with respect to research.
The Tri-Star Award honors a Scholar who exemplifies academic excellence, has contributed to their community in meaningful ways, and values how diversity enhances learning.
The award amount is $1,000.
To Apply
Students must submit:
- A resume
- Copy of their unofficial transcript
- Submit an essay of no more than two pages, analyzing their merit for this award, particularly in the areas of academic excellence, contributions to their community, and how diversity has enhanced their learning. The analysis should also address how their Scholars coursework and field experiences have influenced their learning.