Political Science Scholarships
Work toward Pre-Law, Politics, or Journalism Careers
Political Science programs provide students with an education in U.S. government and politics, international politics, current issues in government, political theory, and law and judicial systems. Political Science is suitable as a Pre-Law degree and is commonly used as such. But Poly Sci majors pursue other fields, as well.
Professionals often head into Law degrees, but others pursue education, business, public administration, journalism and other fields where knowledge of law and politics is beneficial.
Scholarship Programs
Austin Peay State University in Tennessee awards a number of scholarships to students in the Political Science major:
- George O. Albright Scholarships are given to students interested in pursuing a career in Law whether from a Political Science major or Pre-Law.
- Truman Hester Memorial Scholarships are funded by the Montgomery County Republican Women's Club and so make awards to Political Science majors who are at least in their sophomore year of study. Awards are based on academic merit.
- Williamson-Kanervo Scholarships are given to outstanding Political Science or Journalism majors. Awards are $500.
Western Michigan University scholarships for Political Science students include the following:
- Mark Denenfeld Memorial Endowed Scholarships reward those Poly Sci students with an impressive list of community service involvements. Other criteria include academic excellence and professional promise. Awards are $500.
- Masters or Ph.D. students may apply for the Dr. George Klein Scholarships. Concentrations must be in "Comparative Politics or International Relations." This is a small award at just $100.
- Two Howard Wolpe Scholarships are awarded annually, one to as Poly Sci student and the other for any student heading abroad for a semester of study. Qualified applicants must also be from Michigan. Awards are $1,000.
- Stanley S. and Helenan S. Robin Scholarships go to outstanding students in either the Poly Sci major or the Sociology major. Selection is dependent on academics, personal character, extracurricular involvement and potential in the field of study.
- Arden Elsasser Memorial Awards are designed to reward a political activist in the department. Students must also have outstanding academics. $500 awards.
- John Borsos Memorial Endowed Scholarships award assistantships for up to $1,000 to academically accomplished department majors.
Aquinas College in Michigan offers a few scholarships for the school's most promising political scientists of the future:
- Richard Blake Memorial Scholarships go to undergraduates with a clear interest in international relations as a career. Qualified candidates must also have a serious motivation for career success. Awards are $1500.
- James and Hazel Short Political Science Scholarships are awarded to students in the major who not only demonstrate academic excellence, but also require financial support to continue their studies. Awards are $1,000.
- Jack Palmatier Scholarship Fund is designed to offer a level of scholarship support for those students who are not the most accomplished in the major, but who are consistent academic performers and show career promise. Awards are at least $1,000 and maybe more depending on funding. This fund is also used for special department projects.
Political Science majors at UCLA may qualify for the Congressman Brad Sherman Scholarship. Awards are given to academically outstanding students and to those who are able to put their career goals in writing in well-written essay. Political campaign experience counts, too. Awards are $2500. UCLA's Political Science Department includes majors and concentrations in U.S. Politics, International Relations and Political Theory, to name a few.
Political Science students whose forte lies in making cogent arguments on paper may excel at the essay competitions open to students at the University of California-Berkeley:
- Florence Mason Palmer Memorial Prizes go to the winner(s) of the best essay on the topic of International Relations. Qualified participants must be female undergraduates in the Poly Sci major. Up to $5,000 is awarded, but the final figure is also based on the student's financial need.
- Owen D. Young Prize in International Relations is awarded to the winning 5000-word essay on a topic in international relations. All undergraduate students are welcome and the winner may receive up to $1,200 depending on other financial needs of the student.
- Philo Sherman Bennett Prize in Political Science goes to the winner of the essay competition on any topic in political science (except for international relations). Awards are up to $1,000.
