Who we are
The Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards (OMSFA) helps UW undergraduates and alumni develop the skills and personal insights necessary to pursue scholarships appropriate to their goals. OMSFA has the recognition and support of the campus community and contributes to the mission and national reputation of the University of Washington.
Our unit is located within Undergraduate Academics Affairs and housed within the Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity (EXPD). Our office has a number of roles at the UW:
- We provide information and resources to promote access and increase student awareness of the scholarship search and application process. We support students through workshops, events, online tools, and individual advising.
- We mentor students as they engage in the demanding process of obtaining scholarships by offering resources, advising, and individual feedback. which result in competitive applications for local, national and international scholarships.
- We collaborate with faculty and staff to encourage and support applicants.
- We manage a selection of UW-associated scholarship programs.
Meet the staff
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Robin Chang
DirectorRobin Chang
Directorshe/her(206) 543-2603Happy to answer questions about
Any scholarships, but particularly those aimed at supporting students' graduate school goals, providing unique international opportunities, and scholarships that combine those to support graduate studies internationally.
What I appreciate about my work
I relied on financial aid, scholarships and jobs throughout my education, both during undergraduate and graduate years. The opportunity to give back a little bit and to open doors for students who are working hard and making it happen for themselves is what motivates me about this work.
Fun fact
I've been to Japan several times, my partner is Japanese, my in-laws are all in Japan, and I have not managed to learn Japanese at all! I need to do better!
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Simon Tran
Program ManagerSimon Tran
Program Managerhe/him206.685.2705Happy to answer questions about
Scholarships and professional/academic opportunities that support your leadership, public service, and goal-setting development.
My academic background is in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
What I appreciate about my work
I understand how complicated and difficult it can be to navigate higher education and UW. My aim as an advisor is to listen and offer mentorship as I guide you through the scholarship landscape. Receiving a scholarship is never a guarantee, but I'm here to give you continued encouragement and support throughout your academic journey, at UW and after you graduate!
Fun fact
5 out of 6 people in my family are left-handed.
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Amy Sun
Graduate Communications & Events InternAmy Sun
Graduate Communications & Events Internshe/theyHappy to answer questions about
As the graduate intern, I'm responsible for communication, events, and guidance on the MGE scholarship and more. If you have questions on leadership development, scholar events, or others, let me know!
What I appreciate about my work
As an undergrad at UW, I participated in multiple leadership initiatives and was so grateful of the support, which is why I wanted to give back and work with OMFSA and MGE!! Now as a graduate student, I understand how difficult it is to navigate scholarships and ask for guidance in an already busy academic environment, so we are here to help!
Fun fact
I'm a traditional Chinese dancer - I've done styles like Classical, Dunhuang, Dai, Mongolian, and more!
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Chetana Acharya
Assistant DirectorChetana Acharya
Assistant Directorshe/her(206) 543-4170Happy to answer questions about
In addition to supporting undergraduates with the general scholarship process, I am responsible for some specific awards: connect with me if you are (or planning to be) engaged in STEM research, public service, or language study. And I am always happy to tell you about Global Fellowship opportunities to study, research or teach English overseas.
What I appreciate about my work
I have intentionally choosen to work in higher education as I enjoy supporting students. Scholarship advising is my favourite career by far, as we work with students with various majors, academic standing and experiences.
My approach to advising is: 'I advise, you decide.' I help build your comfort and readiness so that you can confidently click on the submit button.
Fun fact
I have lived in 3 countries, 4 states and 12 homes.
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Tracy Nyerges
Assistant DirectorTracy Nyerges
Assistant Directorshe/her206-616-3925Happy to answer questions about
I focus on Mary Gates Endowment research and community investment scholarships, but I also manage the Astronaut scholarship and am happy to work with students on all scholarship and undergraduate research pursuits across fields and interests.
What I appreciate about my work
I love assisting students in articulating their interests and goals and then connecting those to meaningful research experiences and impactful scholarship/fellowship opportunities. I appreciate working alongside students and early alums to realize their dreams and to flourish academically, personally, and professionally.
Fun fact
I had an alternate career as a medical social worker and previously worked in a local Seattle hospital professionally.
Vision & values
Our vision for our office is to have an impact on the academic experiences of our students, helping them connect with transformative opportunities and resources. These experiences expand their perspective of themselves and the world. Through our campus partnerships and collaborations, faculty, students, and staff become active ambassadors of student scholarships at the UW.
Students
We value students’ voices, lives, dreams, hopes and aspirations as individuals.
Learning
We value scholarship application as a learning process which helps students clarify goals, define resources, and develop tools applicable to all aspects of their lives.
Resilience
We value the ability of students to move through challenges, disappointments, and successes and support them as they build resilience.
Collaboration
We value our partnerships with faculty, staff, individual students and student groups to develop strong undergraduate candidates for local, national and international scholarships.
Inclusion
We value an inclusive scholarship community fostered through information sharing, transparent processes, and diverse participation.
Experience
We value the rich and diverse learning environment at UW—both in and out of the classroom—which provides students with resources and opportunities to engage and demonstrate commitment to their work.
About this site
Our site was designed and developed by Jennifer Stock (jstock@uw.edu), Web Computing Specialist, Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
