Sondheim Scholars Program
Build together with a community of future leaders and problem-solvers who want to create a better world.
About Our Program
The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program supports, inspires, and empowers talented undergraduate students as they address society’s most pressing problems. Through service-learning, internships, activism, leadership, and research, Sondheim Scholars work alongside communities and prepare for impactful careers in public service fields such as government, policy, law, non-profit leadership, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
You’re invited to join the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, where you will:
- Study current public issues and develop potential solutions
- Gain real-world experience through service-learning and internships
- Prepare for a career in government, public policy, law, healthcare, environmental sustainability, non-profit leadership, or another area of public service
- Receive a four-year scholarship
Who Qualifies
Eligibility and Support
Eligibility
Am I Eligible For the Program?
The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program is open to students of all majors with a strong interest in public issues and policy.
Students must apply as incoming first-year students.
Financial Support
How We Support Our Scholars
$5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000
Per academic year for in-state students
$10,000 / $15,000 / $22,000
Per academic year for out-of-state students
Why This Program?
Did You Know?
Our scholars receive financial support for internships, study abroad, research experiences, conferences, service immersion trips, and more on top of their Sondheim scholarship.
Special programming like field trips, a retreat, and social activities are organized by a student steering committee to further explore public issues and to strengthen the Sondheim Scholar community.
The Sondheim Scholars Program has designed a new opportunity for study abroad and service-learning in Cape Town, South Africa.
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Application Deadlines
Scholars Programs
Sondheim Scholars Application Deadline
The deadlines above are for application and admission to this scholars program only.
We strongly recommend submitting your application to UMBC by the Early Action or Priority deadline.
Thanks to the Sondheim program, I got to experience community-engaged learning in South Africa as well as learning about the history of the country, the Apartheid movement, and a lot of the political movements that are happening now and how South Africa is dealing with that history.
Ada Glaser, social work and individualized study
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