Four-Year Learning Community: University Honors students take classes with the other students in their cohort and receive support and resources from University Honors faculty and staff.

Honors Courses: Honors students have the opportunity to enroll in Honors courses taught by student-centered faculty members, who are involved in cutting-edge research and scholarship. A majority of Honors courses are capped at 15-20 students, giving students a better opportunity to engage and get to know the professor of the course. Students also benefit from the ability to delve more deeply into the material being presented. These interactions advance a students' critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills and also allow them to build intellectual and social connections with others in the Honors community.  Honors courses also provide students with the resources and framework necessary to pursue a capstone project.

Capstone Development and Completion: University Honors students participate in a series of courses and experiences that prepare them for undergraduate research and the completion of a capstone project. The capstone project can consist of research, creative activity, or experiential learning. Students learn how to interact with faculty and select a faculty member to be their mentor. Students conceive and design a project plan while honing research and writing skills. These projects enable students to take learning outside the classroom and apply critical thought to the topics they are most passionate about. The capstone project experience will differentiate students from other students when applying for graduate school, professional school, and employment.

Priority Registration: University Honors Students receive priority registration leading to a much better chance of getting into the courses they need and graduating on time.

Honors Student Community: Consisting of just over 900 students on a campus that enrolls more than 26,000 students, University Honors provides the feeling of a small, liberal arts college within a major, research university.

Living-Learning Community: Students who participate in University Honors have an opportunity to live with other University Honors students, and a faculty-in-residence, in Honors-only communities (Pentland Hills Residence Hall or the Glen Mor student community) where they receive mentoring, support, programming, and resources. While University Honors offers students the opportunity to live in a living-learning community, housing assignments are overseen by UCR Housing Services, not University Honors. As students are NOT guaranteed housing or rooming assignments, please contact UCR Housing Services with any questions related to living-learning communities and/or applicable housing issues.

Community/Faculty Engagement: As part of the program Honors students are encouraged to participate in University Honors activities designed to help them network with faculty, staff, and their fellow students and access a variety of opportunities and resources related to our three pillars of excellence.  Students are exposed to the wealth of knowledge the faculty possess, including knowledge pertaining to the capstone project, graduate school, and professional school via the various engagement activities that allow students to network with faculty outside the classroom. The activities are carefully designed to help students learn more about themselves and how they can make a difference. They encourage students to branch out beyond academic learning to become well-rounded, active learners who raise creative and relevant questions, identify substantive goals, and consider options and practical strategies for increasing their own introspection. 

Personalized Counseling: Professional staff members in University Honors play a pivotal role in students reaching their personal, academic, and professional goals. Honors counselors work closely with students, academic advisors, and a network of campus resources to help students explore options about majors, scholarships, and extracurricular activities, as students transition to the independence of university life and academics. University Honors Counselors have smaller caseloads than academic advisors and are able to offer students more frequent and longer counseling appointments to meet their needs.

Leadership Positions: University Honors offers a variety of competitive leadership positions to our students that provide them with professional development opportunities. Students can participate as Honors Ambassadors, members of the Marketing and Media team, or members of the University Honors Audeamus Editorial Board. All of our leadership positions are compensated with a scholarship. 

Research and Internship Positions: Honors faculty and staff encourage students to get involved in faculty-mentored research and to pursue internship opportunities. Honors Counselors work one-on-one with students to help identify research and internship opportunities, both on and off campus. Fellowship funding is available to support student research, education abroad, and participation in UC-Washington DC and UC-Sacramento internship programs. Additional opportunities are promoted to students via our counseling appointments, weekly e-mail, and social media.

Awards and Fellowships: Honors faculty and staff prepare students for the application process for prestigious awards by helping them to develop portfolios that strongly position them for competitive local, national, and international academic fellowships and awards.

University Honors Scholarships: With the exception of the Honors Excellence in Research Scholarship, all other University Honors scholarships require that an application must be submitted by the student. All University Honors students are required to adhere to UCR's "Principles of Community." Students who fail to adhere to UCR's "Principles of Community" will not be eligible to receive University Honors Scholarships. To access the scholarship application for those scholarships that require an application, please review the information below.

Civic Engagement Scholarship
Eligibility: Current University Honors students in good academic standing who have completed a qualifying civic engagement project during the academic year of their application. Applicants must submit a project summary, including a brief presentation or portfolio showcasing their work.
Award Purpose: Rewards Honors students who actively contribute to their communities through sustained impactful civic engagement projects. It encourages students to use their skills to address community needs and foster social responsibility. 
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1,000
Application Open:  March 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Spring Quarter

Apply Here

Daniel and Irma Shannon Endowed Student Award
Eligibility: University Honors students in good academic standing who are the first in their immediate family to attend a four-year university or college. 
Award Purpose: Assists first-generation college students within the University Honors program with the cost of their education. It honors the recipient's dedication and perseverance in pursuing higher education and provides a meaningful contribution to their academic journey.
Award Amount: A maximum of up to $1,000
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Hays Capstone Project Fellowship
Eligibility: University Honors students in their final year, who are in good academic standing and have made exemplary progress in their capstone project (HNPG199H). Eligible students must have a faculty-verified, approved capstone project proposal on file.
Award Purpose: Supports outstanding Honors students by helping to defray the cost of their education during their final year as they complete their capstone project. It recognizes their significant academic commitment and the advanced nature of their research or creative work. Funds are disbursed as a scholarship and cannot be used for project-specific materials or equipment.
Award Amount & Distinction: Multiple awards of up to $3,000. Recipients will also be designated "Howard H Hays, Jr. University Honors Research Scholars."
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Honors Excellence in Research (HEIR) Scholarship
Eligibility: University Honors students who have successfully completed the core capstone preparation sequence, including HNPG149, HNPG150, one quarter of HNPG198H, and one quarter of HNPG199H. Completion of the Honors Fall Group Counseling sessions. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. Note: An incomplete grade in HNPG199H will disqualify you from this scholarship.
Award Purpose: Recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their capstone project by successfully completing the program's rigorous research and writing curriculum. This award provides financial support to honor their progress and help them in the final stages of their capstone work.
Award Amount: Multiple awards up to $1,000 per student. Scholarships will be awarded to students in the winter of each year and students must be enrolled in courses during winter quarter to receive the award. Scholarship recipients may be requested to submit a video testimonial or a letter of thanks when requested as a condition of receiving their scholarship.
Application Open: No application required.
Application Deadline: Honors will use progress in HNPG 199H to verify eligibility in Winter quarter. 

Kathleen Harris Endowed Scholarship 
Eligibility: University Honors students in good academic standing who have been accepted into a qualifying Education Abroad program and intend to participate within the next two years. 
Award Purpose: Provides financial assistance to University Honors students to facilitate their participation in education abroad programs. It encourages global engagement and supports students in gaining valuable international experience that complements their academic studies.
Award Amount: A maximum of up to $1000 
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Social Impact Capstone Project Scholarship 
Eligibility: Honors students in good academic standing, making exemplary progress on an approved capstone project (HNPG199H) that directly addresses a pressing social issue. Students must provide verification of their progress from their faculty-mentor.
Award Purpose: Assists students whose capstone projects are dedicated to social impact. It provides financial support to those who are using their academic research skills to contribute to and positively influence their communities.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1000 
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Creative Capstone Project Scholarship 
Eligibility: Honors students in good academic standing, making exemplary progress on a creative capstone project (HNPG198H or HNPG199H). The project must be a substantial work of art or a creative endeavor, with progress verified by their faculty-mentor.
Award Purpose: Supports outstanding Honors students who are completing a capstone project that is a creative work. It assists them with the cost of their education while honoring their commitment to artistic and innovative scholarly pursuits.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1000 
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Experiential Learning Capstone Project Scholarship 
Eligibility: Honors students in good academic standing, making exemplary progress on an experiential-learning capstone project (HNPG198H or HNPG199H). The project must be hands-on, applying academic knowledge to a real-world context, with progress verified by their faculty-mentor. 
Award Purpose: Assists outstanding Honors students who are engaged in a capstone project that is an experiential-learning endeavor. It supports them as they apply their skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems outside of the traditional academic setting.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1000 
Application Open:  December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

Study Abroad, UCDC, or UCCS Participation Scholarship
Eligibility: University Honors students in good academic standing who have been formally accepted into and will participate in an approved Study Abroad, UCDC (University of California, Washington D.C. Program), or UCCS (University of California Center Sacramento) opportunity. 
Award Purpose: Provides financial aid to students participating in immersive, off-campus programs. It supports their engagement in experiences that extend their learning beyond the traditional classroom setting and prepare them for future professional and civic roles.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $1250 per student

For Winter and Spring 2026 Participation
Application Open: October 1, 2025
Application Deadline: October 26, 2025 at 11:59pm 

Apply Here

For Summer and Fall 2026 Participation
Application Open: April 1, 2026 
Application Deadline: April 26, 2026 at 11:59pm

Student Travel Award for Attendance at Professional Meeting/Conference
Eligibility: University Honors students in good academic standing who have been accepted to present their research, creative work, or scholarly paper at a professional conference or academic meeting. 
Award Purpose: Helps to offset the costs associated with traveling to and participating in professional meetings. It encourages students to disseminate their work, network with experts in their field, and gain valuable experience presenting in a professional setting.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $750 are available.

For Winter and Spring 2026 Participation
Application Open: October 1, 2025
Application Deadline: October 26, 2025 at 11:59pm

Apply Here

For Summer and Fall 2026 Participation
Application Open: April 1, 2026
Application Deadline: April 26, 2026 at 11:59pm

First-Year Honors Scholarship
Eligibility: First-year University Honors students who are identified by Honors faculty for their exceptional academic performance, intellectual curiosity, or significant contributions to the classroom and the Honors Community. 
Award Purpose: Celebrates the exemplary achievements of first-year students in the University Honors program. It encourages their continued academic performance from the beginning of their college career.
Award Amount: Multiple awards of up to $750 
Nominations Open:  December 1, 2026
Nominations Deadline: Winter Quarter

Disbursement of Funds
Students will receive their scholarships through their financial aid award package. The Office of Financial Aid has jurisdiction over how all scholarships and fellowships are added to a student's yearly financial aid awards. Students with questions or special requests for disbursement should contact the Office of Financial Aid.