Current Scholarships

Each fall since 1989, Mason has identified its most outstanding entering first-year students as University Scholars. These students receive a four year, full-tuition scholarship. Through this significant investment, Mason and the Honors College aim to develop a diverse and multidisciplinary group of problem-solvers able to take on the biggest questions and most daunting challenges. They are selected from Honors College applicants who applied by the priority deadline, November 1; no other application is necessary. Throughout December and January, a faculty committee evaluates applications and identifies approximately 50 finalists. Finalists are invited to participate in the final stage of University Scholars selection. 

The Merten-Womble Scholarship is an endowed award that supplements a University Scholar award by covering room and board. Merten-Womble Scholarship award winners are Virginia students who demonstrated financial need and are selected as part of the University Scholars selection process. 

The Dr. Noreen McGuire Prettyman Scholarship is an endowed award that supplements a University Scholar award by offering a first year student an additional sum that is intended to further help reduce the costs of attendance. This scholarship is nonrenewable after the first year. Dr. Noreen McGuire Prettyman Scholarship award winners are selected as part of the University Scholars selection process. 

The College of Science Promise Scholars receive a full cost of attendance scholarship with additional funding to cover research expenses. This scholarship is awarded to students who intend to major in a field within the College of Science and have financial need. College of Science Promise Scholars are selected as part of the University Scholars selection process. 

Funded by a one-time grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, these scholarships were awarded in 2020 to support alumni of Mason's Early Identification Program, a first generation college access initiative. Awardees are University Scholars who receive additional assistance to help cover the cost of attendance. 

The Sid Dewberry Southside Scholarship provides support to students who attended high school in Southside Virginia. The area known as Southside, Virginia, was once known for tobacco and later the textile industry. It encompasses Charlotte, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Sussex counties and the cities of Emporia, Franklin, Martinsville, and Lynchburg. Dewberry Scholarship award winners are selected from among those students admitted to the Honors College during the admissions process.

Honors College Scholarships help close the gap for students with financial need. The Honors College works with the Office of Student Financial Aid to identify Honors students who most need these scholarships. This is a current-use scholarship fund, so all donations to this fund will be awarded to students in the same fiscal year.

The Katharine Z. Creane Scholarship Endowment supports undergraduate transfer students enrolled in the Honors College. The scholarship is intended to assist students who have had their education interrupted by financial difficulties or other challenges and are now returning to their studies.

The Honors College is committed to extending its opportunities to highly motivate students who choose to attend other colleges and universities prior to choosing Mason. The Transfer Student of Distinction award recognizes one of these students each year. 

The Concerned Citizen Scholarship fund supports Honors College students from underrepresented groups in the Honors College. Recipients are selected by the Honors College Awards Committee based on involvement in community service. No application is needed.

The Dr. Gerald L. Gordon Endowed Scholarship provides scholarship support for undergraduate students in the Honors College who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field, economics, or other disciplines relevant to economic development in Fairfax County. No application is needed.

The Dr. Harold J. Morowitz Endowed Scholarship supports Honors College student research. No application is needed.

The Michelle Litwiller Memorial Scholarship was created by Dr. and Mrs. Roger W.  Litwiller in memory of their daughter, Michelle, who was a student in Mason’s Plan for Alternative General Education (PAGE) program in 1987. Though the PAGE program no longer exists, the innovative humanities and social sciences curriculum that was created for PAGE provided the original template for the Honors College Curriculum, and we are proud to continue the scholarship. The award is given to distinguished or exceptional first-year students each year. No application is needed.

Every year, HNRS 110 faculty nominates one student paper from each section which demonstrates outstanding research practice. Of these nominees, one Schwartzstein Prize winner is selected with the goal of honoring students whose projects display exceptional intellectual curiosity and creativity and supporting them in future research. Other than the required HNRS 110 paper, there is no application for this award.

Outstanding Achievement Awards recognize the distinguished or exceptional achievements of second-year students. Students represent the disciplinary range of students in the Honors College. No application is needed.

The International Horizons Honors College scholarship is a need- and merit-based scholarship open to Honors College students hoping to pursue a semester or year-long global experience. Students apply through the GEO office. 

This scholarship supports Honors College students from any field whose career and academic goals are focused on responses to the most pressing global challenges of our time, including disparities in human welfare, uneven development, and humanitarian action.

The Peraton Scholarship in National Security aims to provide financial support for Honors College rising juniors and seniors whose studies and experiences broaden and help advance the vision for next-generation national security solutions. 

The McQueen Family Scholarship for Global Studies was established by Matt McQueen, who is an Honors College Advisory Board Member and community leader. This scholarship provides funding to support exceptional students who are studying abroad who are working to further their education.