Clark Scholarships for neighborhood students
For more than two decades, Clark University has offered the University Park Partnership Scholarship to any eligible resident of Worcester who has lived in the University Park neighborhood for at least five years prior to enrolling at Clark. The scholarship provides free tuition for four years.
Students must meet Clark’s admissions guidelines and complete applications for federal and state scholarship grant programs. After any grants are awarded, Clark will make up the difference up to 100 percent tuition.
Supporting city students
From 2000 to 2022, Clark awarded 165 UPP scholarships to Worcester students.
Since the fall of 2000, Clark has invested $12,665,424 in the UPP Scholarship Program.
Approximately 58% of UPP scholars come from the University Park Campus School.
The expansion of the UPP zone makes an additional 1,100 Worcester Public School students eligible for UPP scholarships.
Current Worcester Public School teachers who have graduated from Clark’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.
Graduates of Clark’s MAT program who are currently teaching in Main South schools.
Physics student, UPCS grad, grew up surrounded by University’s influence
Growing up in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, the University’s influence was all around him. His parents took English classes at Clark after immigrating from Albania when he was a child. Anton Deti ’22 attended nearby Woodland Academy for elementary school and later the University Park Campus School — founded and operated by Clark and the city of Worcester as part of the University Park Partnership — where he graduated as valedictorian.
Educated in Worcester Public Schools and Clark, computer science major heads to Boston for tech job
Debrin Adon Suero ’25 didn’t have to travel too far to come to Clark. Growing up a couple blocks away and attending University Park Campus School (UPCS), Adon Suero became quite familiar with the University, thanks to UPCS student privileges that allowed him to use the library and athletic facilities.
Physics student, UPCS grad, grew up surrounded by University’s influence
Growing up in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, the University’s influence was all around him. His parents took English classes at Clark after immigrating from Albania when he was a child. Anton Deti ’22 attended nearby Woodland Academy for elementary school and later the University Park Campus School — founded and operated by Clark and the city of Worcester as part of the University Park Partnership — where he graduated as valedictorian.
Educated in Worcester Public Schools and Clark, computer science major heads to Boston for tech job
Debrin Adon Suero ’25 didn’t have to travel too far to come to Clark. Growing up a couple blocks away and attending University Park Campus School (UPCS), Adon Suero became quite familiar with the University, thanks to UPCS student privileges that allowed him to use the library and athletic facilities.
Physics student, UPCS grad, grew up surrounded by University’s influence
Growing up in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, the University’s influence was all around him. His parents took English classes at Clark after immigrating from Albania when he was a child. Anton Deti ’22 attended nearby Woodland Academy for elementary school and later the University Park Campus School — founded and operated by Clark and the city of Worcester as part of the University Park Partnership — where he graduated as valedictorian.
Educated in Worcester Public Schools and Clark, computer science major heads to Boston for tech job
Debrin Adon Suero ’25 didn’t have to travel too far to come to Clark. Growing up a couple blocks away and attending University Park Campus School (UPCS), Adon Suero became quite familiar with the University, thanks to UPCS student privileges that allowed him to use the library and athletic facilities.
Questions about the University Park partnership scholarship
Why is Clark awarding scholarships to neighborhood residents?
The University Park Partnership is a collaborative effort among government, private business, neighborhood residents, and religious organizations to improve the quality of life in the Main South neighborhood. As part of its commitment to UPP, Clark University has contributed its greatest resource — a world-class education — as an encouragement to residents to pursue advanced learning.
Who is eligible?
Any resident is eligible who has lived in the designated target neighborhood, as a homeowner or a tenant, for at least five years prior to enrolling in Clark. Applicants must meet the same admissions standards as any other admitted student.
What is considered the target neighborhood?
The neighborhood is roughly bounded by Park Avenue, and May, Main, Lagrange, and Cambridge streets and the Conrail tracks.
Can I be a part-time student or take School of Professional Studies or graduate-level courses?
You must be a full-time undergraduate student. School of Professional Studies (evening courses), the Graduate School of Management, and the graduate school are not included in the program. Full time is defined as three or four courses per semester.
It is expected that after attending the University as a full-time undergraduate day student for eight semesters, students will have completed all the requirements to receive their degree. Therefore, funding through the Neighborhood Scholarship Program is limited to eight semesters. If a student must be enrolled beyond the eight semesters to earn their degree, they will not be funded by the Neighborhood Scholarship Program.
Can I transfer from another college or university?
Definitely — although you still must meet Clark’s admission requirements. To earn a bachelor’s degree at Clark, a student must pursue at least one-half the total number of course units for the degree and at least one half the total number of course units taken for fulfillment of a major in a Clark program. Students may transfer no more than 16 units of course credit. Contact the Admissions Office for full details.
What if I didn’t take college-preparatory courses in high school, or I did poorly in high school, or I’ve been out of high school for a while?
The Admissions Office is always willing to talk to candidates about their situation. Clark’s normal admissions requirements include grades in the B range in college-preparatory classes in high school and involvement in extracurricular activities. You may submit SAT scores, but we are a test-optional college. Candidates who do not meet these requirements could be asked to show they can successfully navigate the rigors of college-level work by attending another college for one or two semesters before entering Clark.
Is there a minimum grade-point average I must maintain to keep my scholarship?
You must remain a student in good standing at Clark. All students are required to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA or risk being placed on academic probation.
Does the scholarship automatically renew for all four years?
Yes, the scholarship renews as long as you remain a student in good standing and, before each academic year, you provide required documentation that you continue to be a resident of the designated target neighborhood and apply for financial aid.
What costs are not included in the scholarship?
The scholarship covers tuition only. Room and board, students fees, health insurance, books, and spending money are all the responsibility of the student.
How can I learn more about the University Park Partnership?
Contact Lisa Gillingham at 1-508-793-7614.
University Park Area
University Park Partnership Scholarship Zone has expanded by 26 streets. The expanded UPP Scholarship zone closely resembles a section of Worcester that the Main South Community Development Corporation identifies as its Community Investment Program target area.
by Street
| Street Name | Street Name |
|---|---|
| Agawam Street | Albert Street |
| Beaver Street | Birch Street |
| Boys and Girls Club Way | Charlotte Street |
| Cheney Street | Claremont Square |
| Claremont Street | Clement Street |
| Clifton Street | Cristy Street |
| Crystal Street | Downing Street |
| Florence Street | Gardner Terrace |
| Gates Street | Hancock Street |
| Hathaway Street | Hawthorne Street |
| Illinois Street | Irene Street |
| Jack Foley Way | Loudon Street |
| Lucian Street | Marble Street |
| Maywood Place | Norwood Street |
| Oberlin Street | Oliver Street |
| Pembroke Street | Richards Street |
| Shirley Street | Silver Street |
| West Oberlin Street | Woodbine Street |
| Woodland Parkway | Wyman Street |
| Street Name | Street Numbers |
|---|---|
| Allen Street | |
| Beacon Street | 109 – 157 |
| Benefit Street | |
| Benefit Terrace | |
| Boys and Girls Club Way | |
| Cambridge Street | 13 – 145 Odd Numbers |
| Dewey Street | 168 – 226; 155 – 223 |
| Freeland Street | |
| Freeland Terrace | |
| Gardner Street | Even Numbers |
| Glenwood Street | |
| Grand Street | To number 95 |
| Grout Court | |
| Hammond Street | 9 – 43 |
| Haynes Street | |
| Hitchcock Road | |
| Hollis Street | |
| Hollywood Street | 38 – Higher |
| Ives Street | |
| Jack Foley Way | |
| Kilby Street | |
| LaGrange Street | 8 – 24 |
| Lowell Court | |
| Lowell Street | |
| Main Street | 986 – 1059 All Numbers |
| Marble Street | |
| May Street | 1 – 69 Odd Numbers |
| Maywood Street | 23 – 75 |
| Morton Court | |
| Mount Pleasant Street | |
| Oread Street | |
| Park Avenue | 415 – 561 Odd Numbers |
| Ripley Street | |
| Stoneland Road | |
| Tainter Street | |
| Tirrell Street | |
| Woodland Street | 64 – Higher |