English Department Advising Guide

Here is a list of the primary English-Department Scholarships with applications in this portal:

Streep Scholarship 
Considered by many to be the greatest actress of our time, Meryl Streep visited UMass Lowell in April of 2014. Her great empathy for her characters has distinguished her work in film, television, and theatre for almost three decades. This scholarship is provided through an endowment from Ms. Streep to the UMass Lowell English department to support English majors whose extra-curricular activities have contributed to the artistic and cultural life of the university community.

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on financial need and exceptional merit. Students must be U.S. citizens and in good academic standing (2.5+ GPA). Applicants should demonstrate a record of vibrant contribution to extra-curricular activities that contribute to the cultural and artistic life of the university. 

Dickens Scholarship
This award was instituted following the Dickens and America conference, which took place in Lowell in 2002. Charles Dickens was fascinated with the progressive nature of the Lowell mill system and admired the accomplished mill workers. Upon his visit to the city, he praised the model of industry established here. 

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on financial need and merit. Applicants must be permanent residents of the Merrimack Valley; preference will be given to students from the city of Lowell. Students applying are asked to submit the following:
1. A short explanation of any employment and/or campus and community service/volunteer work, especially any related to your major.
2. An essay in which you describe a formative experience you have had living in Lowell or the Merrimack Valley (1-2 pages, double-spaced).

Griffin Scholarship
This award honors the memory of Professor Robert Griffin, a beloved teacher, a scholar of T.S. Eliot and Walt Whitman, a great fan of UML hockey, and a lover of the theater. All who knew him remember Professor Griffin’s remarkable energy and commitment to his community, both at the university and beyond. Professor Griffin was “unfailingly kind, patient and attentive--a model for all of us.” 

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on merit and service to the department. Students applying are asked to submit the following:
1. A short explanation of any employment and/or campus and community service/volunteer work, especially any related to your major
2. An essay discussing the question, "How has being an English major affected your values and who you are as a human being?" (1-2 pages, double-spaced)

Sampas Scholarship
This award honors the legacy of Jack Kerouac, a literary son of Lowell, and a quintessential beat writer. To this day, Kerouac’s work is read, loved, and respected by readers and scholars who identify with his free spirit and experimental prose. 

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on merit. Student award applications will include:
1. A one-page typed statement explaining their career goals and how writing fits into those plans.
2. A short explanation of any employment and/or campus and community service/volunteer work, especially any related to their major.
3. A typed sample of their literary critical writing (i.e. a scholarly academic paper in literary studies) and/or their creative writing (creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, creative essays).

King Scholarship
This scholarship is provided through an endowment from Stephen and Tabitha King to the UMass Lowell English Department to support English majors—especially creative writers—in our department. King explained in his visit to UMass Lowell in December 2012, “Writing requires not just a creative mind and some good ideas, but also dedication to the craft.” We seek applicants who show through their work such a creative mind and dedication to the craft.

English majors who hold at least a sophomore standing and will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one more semester as a full-time (12+ credits) student are eligible to apply. The scholarship is an annual award based on merit. Student award applications will include:
1. A one-page typed statement explaining their career goals and how writing fits into those plans.
2. A short explanation of any employment and/or campus and community service/volunteer work, especially any related to their major.
3. A typed sample of their literary critical writing (i.e. a scholarly academic paper in literary studies) and/or their creative writing (creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, creative essays).

****For all of the scholarships listed above, the application MUST go through the River Hawks Scholarship Portal!****

Arthur Friedman Scholarship

Awarded annually based on merit. 

Given in memory of Professor Arthur Friedman, this scholarship honors students of high merit with an interest in dramatic literature or theatre.

English majors with at least sophomore standing who will remain at UMass Lowell for at least one semester as full-time students (12+ credits) are eligible to apply. (See application form below.)

APPLY BY EMAIL: Please complete the application form (below) and submit as an email attachment to: nancy_selleck@uml.edu.

DEADLINE:  March 20, 2023

Application appears as a Word document below. Please download, complete, and submit to Nancy_Selleck@uml.edu