At UMBC, the primary hub for prestigious national and international scholarships is the Office of Prestigious Scholarships (OPS). This office advises and guides UMBC students and alumni through highly competitive application processes for major awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Gates, Fulbright, Knight-Hennessy, Goldwater, and Truman scholarships. OPS oversees UMBC’s nomination process for awards that require University nomination or endorsement. We also provide advising and application support for other prestigious awards and oversee the John W. Jeffries Dean’s List Award.
OPS students explore competitive, merit-based fellowships to fund graduate study, independent research and creative pursuit, language study and cultural exchange, and professional opportunities. Although housed within Honors College, we serve the entire UMBC community. Our mission is to help students through every step of the application process to secure the most competitive state, national, and international scholarships, fellowships, and awards for UMBC students.
Our scholar development services include facilitating information sessions; advising students regarding requirements, eligibility, and preparation; developing scholars through course, service, and research advising; and reviewing and providing extensive content feedback on application materials. Through advising students and working with them to hone their presentation and writing skills, we help students secure scholarships that will bring national acclaim to themselves and the university as well as the monetary support they need to achieve their goals and shape the future of our world.
Core Services
- Advising: Provides one-on-one advising for fellowships related to research, graduate study, and public service.
- Endorsement Process: Manages the rigorous internal endorsement processes required for awards like the U.S. and Global Rhodes Scholarships.
- Workshops: Hosts information sessions and application-writing workshops throughout the academic year.
- Faculty Committees: Each applicant works with a curated “team” of faculty and staff members who make selections, provide feedback, and help prepare students for success.
Meet our OPS winners and finalists
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