Scholarships & Stipends
Student Funding Opportunities
Scholarships
Honors Programs provides merit-based scholarships & research stipends to recognize academic excellence and support student success. These annual awards help offset education costs, fund research projects, and encourage leadership in the UCLA Honors community. Students will apply for a scholarship in Spring of the current year and receive funding for the following academic year. Award amounts listed below are based on available funding and may vary from year to year.
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- Scholarships: $1,000 – $20,000 for outstanding academic achievement
- Research Stipends: Funding for summer research projects ($1,000 – $2,500)
- Competitive Selection: Based on academic performance, extracurriculars, and tailored essays
The application cycle typically begins in February through April.
Honors Scholarship Overview
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- A single application matches students to all eligible scholarships.
- Awards typically range from $1,000 – $5,000
- Funds apply to the next academic year (except for graduating seniors, who are awarded in late Spring of the current academic year).
- The Honors prompt is released in advance of the application opening to allow time for thoughtful preparation.
- Some scholarships may require additional materials (such as faculty endorsement letters)– early preparation is highly encouraged.
Examples of Available Scholarships
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- 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 in March!
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
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- Honors scholarships are awarded based on merit.
- Recipients are selected through a competitive process.
- All awards are for the following academic year.
Eligibility
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- 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)
Honors Essay Prompt
In order to allow for thoughtful preparation, the Honors prompt is released prior to the application opening. For this upcoming academic year (2025/2026) the prompt is as follows:
Please watch the following TED Talk: Why AI is our ultimate test and greatest invitation, by Tristan Harris
What thoughts/considerations do you have about the content of this Ted Talk?
Respond to this question with either an essay (500 words maximum), with a 1-3 minute video, or with an infographic.
Submission formats
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- Written Essay
- Video Presentation
- Infographic
The application window is brief. We encourage students to begin drafting their response in advance.
Application
The application will only be available during a specific window of time (typically 2 weeks) in Spring quarter. Please review the ‘Honors prompt’ tab for advanced preparation. When the application opens, please:
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- Log in to the Financial Aid Scholarship Portal.
- Create or Update your General Scholarship Profile.
- Select “Apply” for College Honors Scholarships.
- Submit your response to the Honors Prompt and submit any required documentation.
- All materials must be submitted by Sunday, April 5, at 11:59pm.
Preparation Recommendations
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- Begin working on your essay response prior to the application open
- 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 Scholarships and Stipends Coordinator
Heiser Lopez is the coordinator for the Honors scholarship and research stipends. For inquiries, please contact Heiser through the Message Center.
Stipends
Honors research stipends provide funding for students conducting independent research. These awards allow students to focus on their academic projects, reduce time spent working, and support research-related expenses.
Each year, approximately 20 research stipends are awarded, with an average amount of $1,000 per recipient. An additional $500 bonus may be awarded to the most outstanding proposal.
Important Note:
- Stipends are different from scholarships—they fund specific research projects to be conducted in the upcoming summer.
Eligibility
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- Students participating in the following Honors Programs:
- College Scholars, College Honors, or Departmental Scholars
- Students participating in a Departmental Honors program (ie, senior thesis)
- Research may be library, laboratory, or field-based
- Must be returning for at least one quarter
- Must not be receiving academic credit (such as 199) for the research
- Students participating in the following Honors Programs:
Available Stipends
Honors Research Stipend – $1,000 – $2500 (Approximately 20 awards per year)
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- Support research in all disciplines (Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences)
- May be used for research-related expenses and/or to offset work hours
Outstanding Proposal Bonus – Additional $500
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- Awarded to the most exceptional research proposal
How to Apply
The Honors Summer Research Stipend is offered through an annual application process. The application cycle typically opens in late January and closes in late February. Applicants must submit all required materials by the posted deadline for consideration.
2026 Application period: January 23 – February 26
Application Deadline: Thursday, February 26, 11:59pm
2026 Full Application Packet
Download Full Stipend Application Packet
Individual Forms & Documents (if needed separately)
Stipend Application Form & Research Proposal Guide
Faculty Sponsor Agreement Form (Must be completed by faculty sponsor and emailed separately)
Submission Instructions
- Fill out the application PDF
- Submit via the Honors Research Stipend form
Important:
The Faculty Sponsor Agreement Form must be submitted by your faculty sponsor to Heiser Lopez (hlopez@college.ucla.edu) by Thursday, February 26th, at 11:59 PM.
Need Help?
Contact Heiser Lopez, Scholarships & Stipends Coordinator via Message Center