Scholarships & Stipends
Student Funding Opportunities
Scholarships
Honors Programs provides merit-based scholarships & research stipends to recognize academic excellence and support student success. These awards help offset education costs, fund research projects, and encourage leadership in the UCLA Honors community.
- ? Scholarships: $1,000 – $20,000 for outstanding academic achievement
- ? Research Stipends: Funding for summer research projects ($1,000 – $1,500)
- ? Competitive Selection: Based on academic performance, extracurriculars, and tailored essays
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Honors scholarships are awarded based on merit.
- Recipients are selected through a competitive process.
- All awards are for the following academic year.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a current College Honors or College Scholars student (incoming first-years and transfers are not eligible)
- Must be returning for at least one full quarter next academic year (except for graduating seniors, who may be eligible for limited awards)
- Each scholarship has specific criteria—students are automatically considered for all eligible opportunities
- Receiving other financial aid may impact eligibility (please consult with Financial Aid before applying)
Application Deadline
April 10, 2025
Advance preparation is encouraged, as some scholarships require additional documentation.
Honors Scholarship Overview
- A single application matches students to all eligible scholarships.
- Awards range from $1,000 – $5,000
- Funds apply to the next academic year (except for graduating seniors, which are awarded in late Spring of the current academic year)
Examples of Available Scholarships
- Barbara Ladd Gates Award – $1,200 for graduating senior
- Rosalind W. Alcott Scholarship – $2,000 for Political Science, Economics, or Business students
- Bradford E. Burns Endowed Scholarship – $3,000 for History majors
- Rose Gilbert Honors Scholarship – $2,000 – $5,000, open to all Honors students
IMPORTANT: Some scholarships require extra documentation. Check now and prepare before the scholarship portal opens on March 27th!
Honors Essay Prompt
The prompt is released early to allow for thoughtful preparation:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
– Coretta Scott KingWhat does community mean to you? How has “community” shaped who you are now and/or influenced who you are becoming?
Submission formats
- Written Essay
- Video Presentation
- Infographic
The application window is brief. We encourage students to begin drafting their response in advance.
Application Window
- Login to the Financial Aid Scholarship Portal
- Create or Update your General Scholarship Profile
- Select “Apply” for College Honors Scholarships
- Submit the Honors Essay Prompt and any required documentation
- All materials must be submitted by April 10
Preparation Recommendations
- Begin working on your essay response prior to March 27.
- Verify whether your scholarship requires additional documentation, such as a faculty endorsement letter
- Consult the list of available scholarships for specific eligibility criteria.
Q & A
Can international students apply?
Yes! Only one scholarship requires U.S. citizenship—most are open to all students.
Do I need letters of recommendation?
Most scholarships do NOT require letters. Some need faculty sponsorship—check the “Available Scholarships” section.
How will I receive my funds?
Scholarships are applied to next year’s tuition and are disbursed quarterly via BruinBill.
Still have questions?
Contact:
Heiser Lopez – Scholarships Coordinator, via Message Center
Meet the Scholarship and Stipend Coordinator
Honors Student Affairs Adviser Heiser Lopez coordinates the Honors scholarships and stipends. For questions, please submit a request to Heiser through Message Center.
