Student Scholarships & Funds
Funds, Awards, Scholarships and Prizes
Student Project Fund
Got a cool project in mind but don’t have the funds to make it a reality?
The Colleges are offering funds of up to $500 to support undergraduate student projects.
Assistance will be considered in the following areas: Academic Research, Creative Initiatives, Artistic Endeavors, Public Events of Benefit to One or More Colleges or the Campus Community
Both individual and collective efforts are encouraged!
Applications are due February 27 and May 8, 2026.
Cowell College Education Abroad Program Scholarship
This scholarship supports a Cowell-affiliated student to participate in an UC Education Abroad Program. More information about the scholarship is included in the application.
Applications are due February 28, 2026.
Cowell Service and Leadership Awards
Please Submit Entries electronically here, or in-person to Cowell 116 by 11:59pm, Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Applicants must be COWELL-affiliated students, unless otherwise specified in the description of the award.
For complete criteria, contact the Cowell College Academic Manager.
Cowell Service Citation – Acknowledges a student for outstanding contributions to the life of Cowell College. No self-nomination. Open to students of any college affiliation. ($500)
Carol Freeman Leadership Award – Acknowledges a graduating Cowell senior for exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the Cowell College community. Established by the Cowell student senate to honor former (1992-97) Cowell Provost Carol Freeman, Senior Lecturer in Writing. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $500)
John Lynch Multicultural Service Award – Acknowledges a student who has enhanced the understanding and visibility of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Cowell College community. It honors former Provost (1983-89) and Professor of Classics John P. Lynch. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $500)
David Wayne Christenson Scholarship – Honors Kresge and Cowell College students with demonstrated public service to the university, high academic merit, and financial need. Students are selected from Cowell and Kresge College each year. Self-nomination permitted. (Award: $1,500)
Cassius Ellis Memorial Award – Acknowledges a Cowell College student for academic achievement combined with service in the off-campus community. This award honors the memory of Cassius Ellis, the first night proctor of Cowell College. Self-nomination allowed. (Award: $500)
Cowell Scholastic Prizes
Please Submit Entries electronically here, or in-person to Cowell 116 by 11:59pm, Sunday, May 3, 2026.
For complete criteria contact the Cowell College Academic Manager.
John Dizikes Writing Prize – Awarded to a Cowell student for excellent non-fiction prose writing in any field. Entries must consist of a single English essay written for a UCSC course. Entries are judged on essay form, prose style and lucidity, word choice, and technical perfection in the use of the English language. (Award: $1,000)
John Holmes Award (History) – Awarded to a student for excellent written work in United States history. Entries must consist of a single English essay written for a UCSC course. Entries are judged on essay form, prose style and lucidity, word choice, and technical perfection in the use of the English language. (Award: $500)
Cowell Short Story Prize – Awarded to a Cowell student for excellent short story writing in any genre. Entries must be original work, and consist of a single short story in English. Entries are judged on prose style and lucidity, word choice, and authenticity of voice. (Award: $500)
Cowell Poetry Prize – Award for excellence in poetry written by a Cowell student. Students may submit up to 3 poems, no longer than 6 pages total. (Award: $500)
Cowell Illustration Prize – Award for excellence in illustration or a photograph of a scene from/of Cowell. One submission only. (Award: $500)
Cowell Scholarships
The recipients for these scholarships are selected by the provost of Cowell College based on the criteria of the scholarships. Submissions are not accepted for these awards.
Mark Glenn Cary Scholarship – Honors a Cowell resident with a declared major in Physical and Biological Sciences. Selection is based on both academic merit and financial need. The final decision is made by the Provost. Students do not need to submit anything to be considered for the Mark G Cary Scholarship. Self-nomination is not permitted. (Award: $1,000)
Karl Lamb Prize – Honors a Cowell affiliated student majoring in Politics or Creative Writing with a Prize based on academic merit and financial need.
Provost’s Undergraduate Scholarship – Awarded to Cowell students in recognition of academic excellence and achievement. The Provost’s Undergraduate Scholarship is based on GPA and financial need. Students do not need to submit anything to be considered for the Provost’s Undergraduate Scholarship. (Award: $1,000)
William & Roslyn Targ Cowell Press Award – Award given for excellence in printing or book arts productions. Entry must be a single print project produced in the Cowell Press. Recipient need not be a Cowell student. (Award: $200)
Contact
**Award will first be applied to any student loan debt before dispersing to the student’s account.**
For more information regarding Cowell College Prizes, please email the Cowell College Academic Manager or (831) 459-2251.