BIS Scholarship Opportunities

 

Scholarship

 

These scholarships are open to all students who have declared a major in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program, regardless of part-time or full-time enrollment status.

·   Bachelor of Individualized Study Endowed Scholarship

Award based on academic merit and financial need

·   Jack Fahey Giving Back Endowed Scholarship

Awarded to students who have financial need and have demonstrated progress toward degree completion

·   Linda D. Hemm Endowed Scholarship

Award based on academic merit to students who are juniors or seniors

·   Dr. Kenneth Thompson Scholarship

Award based on financial need. Preference will be given to single parents and/or veterans. 

 

Bachelor of Individualized Study Endowed Scholarship

($2,000 awarded at the end of each spring semester)

Description: The Bachelor of Individualized Study Endowed Scholarship is open to George Mason University students who have declared a major in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program.

The scholarship was established in 2004 by Karole and Diehl McKalip. Karole McKalip, a Mason alumna from the College of Education, served as GMU Director of Academic Advising and Orientation until her retirement from that position in 1997. She returned to Mason as BIS Academic Advisor until 2002.

 Qualifications for this Scholarship

  • Applicant must be a BIS Program major.
  • Applicant must have completed BIS 300.
  • Applicant must have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Applicant must have a current FAFSA or Alternative Need form on file with Mason's Office of Student Financial Aid.
  • Applicant must submit required application and essay.

How to Apply:

 

Jack Fahey Giving Back Scholarship

($2,000 awarded at the end of each spring semester)

Jack Fahey

Description: The Jack Fahey Giving Back Endowed Scholarship is open to George Mason University students who have declared a major in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program.

This scholarship was established in 2017 by Jack Fahey, a graduate of the BIS Program, to assist currently enrolled BIS students make progress toward degree completion.

Qualifications for this Scholarship

  • Applicant must be a BIS Program major.
  • Applicant must have completed BIS 300.
  • Applicant must have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Applicant must have a current FAFSA or Alternative Need form on file with Mason's Office of Student Financial Aid.
  • Applicant must demonstrate progress toward degree completion, as evidenced by previous and current enrollment.
  • Applicant must submit required application and essay.

How to Apply:

 

Linda D. Hemm Endowed Scholarship

($2,000 total -$1,000 awarded each fall and spring to the chosen recipient)

Linda D. Hemm

Description: The Linda D. Hemm Endowed Scholarship is open to George Mason University students who have declared a major in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program.

This scholarship was established in 2019 by Robert V. Hemm, in memory of his wife Linda D. Hemm. “Miss Linda” served as BIS Academic Advisor from 1993 until her death in 2018. She was nominated by students three times as Mason Academic Advisor of the Year, and frequently named by students in the annual Patriot Success Survey as “the person on campus who has helped them the most in their college success.”

Qualifications for this Scholarship

  • Applicant must be a junior or senior BIS Program major.
  • Applicant must have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Applicant must submit required application, essay, and recommendation letter from a Mason faculty member.

How to Apply:

 

Dr. Kenneth Thompson Scholarship

($2,500 awarded to one student each spring)

Description: The purpose of the Fund is to provide support for undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Individualized Studies. Scholarship recipients may be full-time or part-time students and may be in-state or out-of-state residents. Recipients will qualify on the basis of financial need. Preference will be given to single parents and/or veterans.

The scholarship was established in 2023 by Mido Hajaji, a BIS alum who named it after his favorite professor. 

Qualifications for this Scholarship

  • Applicant must be a BIS program major. 
  • Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
  • Applicant must be in good standing with the University.
  • Applicant must submit required application through the Financial Aid website. 

How to Apply:

 

Additional Scholarships offered through the School of Integrative Studies can be found HERE.