← Back to University vs University
University of Massachusetts Amherst vs Waubonsee Community College 2026
Who is it for? This comparison is for prospective students weighing options between a large university and a community college. UMass Amherst offers higher merit aid, while Waubonsee provides more grants overall.
Institution A
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Institution B
Waubonsee Community College
Quick comparison
| Metric | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Waubonsee Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships in catalog | 47 | 156 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $1,828 | $953 |
| Max award (index signal) | $5,000 | $3,500 |
| Open deadlines share | 23% | 100% |
| Merit vs need (approx.) | Merit 55.3% · Need 44.7% | Merit 61.5% · Need 38.5% |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
The University of Massachusetts Amherst provides a balanced approach to financial aid with 44.7% of students demonstrating need and 55.3% receiving merit-based aid. The average aid amount is approximately $1,828, with a maximum of $5,000 available. In contrast, Waubonsee Community College has a slightly lower need percentage at 38.5% and a higher merit percentage of 61.5%. The average aid received by students is about $953, with a maximum of $3,500. Both institutions offer a variety of scholarships, but UMass Amherst has fewer open grants compared to Waubonsee's 156 available grants.
Writing efforts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
UMass Amherst provides numerous resources for crafting essays for various scholarships, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and personal experiences.
Waubonsee Community College
Waubonsee Community College also offers guidance on essay writing for its scholarships, focusing on practical experiences and community involvement.
Top grants by university
Largest active university-linked grants first. Each side shows the top three opportunities currently indexed for that school.
The Dandley Internship Award
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $5,000. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
9 requirements
Requirements
$5,000
Award Amount
Sipes Family Nursing Scholarship
Waubonsee Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Waubonsee Community College. The listed award is $3,500. Plan to apply by May 4, 2026.
May 4, 2026
16 days left
7 requirements
Requirements
$3,500
Award Amount
Patricia M. Sullivan Scholarship
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $4,000. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
6 requirements
Requirements
$4,000
Award Amount
Weldstar Annual Scholarship
Waubonsee Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Waubonsee Community College. The listed award is $2,500. Plan to apply by May 4, 2026.
May 4, 2026
16 days left
6 requirements
Requirements
$2,500
Award Amount
The Scott J. Bacherman Internship Scholarship
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $3,500. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
9 requirements
Requirements
$3,500
Award Amount
Waubonsee Community College Faculty Council Awards Endowed Academic Scholarship
Waubonsee Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Waubonsee Community College. The listed award is $2,500. Plan to apply by May 4, 2026.
May 4, 2026
16 days left
6 requirements
Requirements
$2,500
Award Amount
Not sure about the location?
Compare Massachusetts vs Illinois scholarship markets to see how the broader state climate changes the funding picture.
FAQ
What percentage of students receive need-based aid at UMass Amherst?
How much is the maximum scholarship amount available at Waubonsee Community College?
How many open grants are available at Waubonsee Community College?
What is the average amount of financial aid received by students at UMass Amherst?
Sources and official pages
Official university and high-authority pages used to support this comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) — government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) — government reference
- NCES College Navigator — government reference
- Peterson’s College Search — high-authority reference
More guides around this comparison
Internal reading paths for students comparing University of Massachusetts Amherst and Waubonsee Community College, with extra scholarship context and essay-writing support.
Related scholarship articles
- Best Scholarships in Massachusetts for International Students
Explore the best scholarships in Massachusetts for international students, including merit awards, need-based aid, and university funding options at top colleges.
- Best Scholarships in New York for International Students: Top University Funding Options
Explore top scholarships and financial aid options in New York for international students, including university-based merit awards, need-based aid, and application tips.
- How to Choose Between a Merit Scholarship and a Need-Based Package
Learn how to compare a merit scholarship with a need-based financial aid package, including net cost, renewal rules, loan amounts, and long-term affordability.
Related essay guides
- How to Write an Effective Essay for the Kathryn Lacy Scholarship
A step-by-step guide to crafting your essay for the Kathryn Lacy Memorial Scholarship at Waubonsee Community College.
- How to Craft Your Essay for the Midas of Naperville Scholarship
A step-by-step guide to writing a compelling scholarship essay for the Midas of Naperville Scholarship at Waubonsee Community College.
- Crafting Your Essay for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation Scholarship
A step-by-step guide to writing your scholarship essay for Waubonsee Community College.