Departmental Undergraduate Scholarships

The Department of Economics offers several scholarships for current undergraduate Economics majors. Applications open during the spring semester each year and scholarship awards are granted one time for the following fall semester.

Applications for Fall 2025 are now being accepted through Scholarship Universe. The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on Sunday, March 9th. 

Below you will find a description of each scholarship along with the eligibility requirements.

  • The Kenneth L. Bupp Scholarship
    Endowed by Kenneth L. Bupp, Economics alumnus, to be awarded to Economics majors based upon academic achievement in their major and financial need.  One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $2,250.
  • The Rupa Duttagupta Fellowship
    Established by Rupa Duttagupta, to be awarded to Economics majors based upon academic achievement in their major and financial need. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $1,500.
  • The Melanie E. (Lee) Easley Memorial Scholarship
    Endowed by the family and friends of 2001 alumna, Melanie Lee Easley, in her memory, to be awarded to Economics majors based upon academic achievement in their major and financial need. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $4,500.
  • The Honorable Idamae Garrott Memorial Scholarship
    Awarded in memory of Mrs. Idamae Garrott, who actively participated in Maryland politics, including serving as a state senator in the mid 1990’s. The scholarship was endowed by her family to be awarded to Economics majors based upon academic achievement in their major and financial need. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $1,000.
  • The Moskowitz Family Scholarship
    Endowed by the family of Neil Moskowitz, an Economics alumnus dedicated to public service, to be awarded to Economics majors based upon academic achievement in their major and financial need. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $3,250.
  • The Peggy Rae and John Sapienza Scholarship
    Established by Peggy Rae Sapienza, a UMD alumna, along with her husband John to help facilitate the education of a hardworking junior or senior student and encourage them toward graduation. The recipient must be doing something to help finance their college education, such as part-time employment. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $10,000 –awarded in two installments of $5,000 each for fall and spring semesters.
  • The Mark C. Sullivan Economics Scholarship
    Endowed by Mr. Mark C. Sullivan, Economics alumnus, to be awarded to Economics majors of high academic achievement with preference given to residents/high school graduates from Maryland’s Eastern Shore (Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties). Recipient must be a US citizen. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $4,500.
  • The Mark D. and Tracye C. Turner Scholarship in Economics
    Endowed by Mark D. Turner, Economics alumnus, to be awarded to Economics majors who are involved in volunteer activities and/or leadership roles to assist minorities and intend to utilize their degree to continue assisting minority communities. One recipient will be selected and the monetary award for this scholarship is $2,500.

 *The monetary amount of each scholarship may change from year to year based on available funds.

Eligibility Requirements
In order to be considered, students must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA at University of Maryland, College Park
  • Be a full-time, degree seeking student majoring in economics
  • Officially declared economics major for Spring 2025 or earlier (Must have declared prior to February 7, 2025)
  • Have at least 9 credits of ECON courses completed (must be ECON###)
  • May not graduate before December 2025 (May 2026 for Sapienza Scholarship)
  • Be in good judicial standing

*New students (incoming freshmen and transfers) entering Maryland during the Spring 2025 semester are not eligible to apply since previous UMD grades will be used in the review process.

Additional Information

  • Students may apply for more than one scholarship.
  • Scholarships will be awarded for the Fall 2025 semester. In order to receive the scholarship, students must maintain the outlined eligibility and scholarship qualifications.

Questions regarding the departmental undergraduate scholarships should be directed to Shanna Edinger May at sedinge1 [at] umd [dot] edu


Departmental Undergraduate Awards for Graduating Seniors

The Department of Economics presents the following awards to graduating seniors at the end of each spring semester. Students will be contacted directly regarding these awards.

  • The Dudley and Louisa Dillard Award in Economics
  • The Sujon Guha Memorial Award
  • The Martin Moskowitz Award for Public Service

Departmental Undergraduate Student Experience Awards

BSOS students with financial need that is preventing them from taking advantage of an experiential learning opportunity, such as an unpaid internship, research, service-learning, or professional or academic conferences may apply for the BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds. Awards specifically for ECON majors include:

  • Dr. Kiert Toh and Family Undergraduate Student Award
  • Gary L. Rozier Professional Experience Fellowships for Economics Majors Award
  • Robert R. Satterfield Economics Student Opportunities Endowed Award

Additional Financial Resources

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) offers a variety of scholarships, fellowships, and experience funds to academically talented and engaged students. Various campus resources are also available to assist with identifying additional financial support. For information, click here.

The Office of Student Financial Aid has information about applying and receiving both merit and need-based financial aid and scholarships. For information, click here.

The Division of Student Affairs offers funds that provide emergency assistance for students in crisis and in need. For information, click here.