Scholarships

Please visit the College of Social Science website for the most up-to-date deadlines and information about the following scholarships: https://socialscience.msu.edu/undergraduate/current-students/scholarships.html
  • Lynch Family Civility Scholarship

    Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who have indicated an interest in promoting civility in public discourse, specifically in the space of public policy, will be eligible for this award.

    How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition, scholarly research, community outreach and engagement, conference attendance, and/or trainings in the public sector.

    How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement a commitment to promoting civility and dialogue in the space of public policy and governance and how they plan to apply the knowledge, skills, and methods they have learned in their everyday lives to advance the impact of civility outside of the classroom.

    Deadline to apply is November 15, 2023

    APPLY

  • Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences

    Who qualifies: Please note: This scholarship will alternate every other year between aiding undergraduate students and graduate students. Beginning AY2024-25, this scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students and alternate with graduate students every other year.

    AY2024-2025

    For Undergraduate Students: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:

    • Students enrolled in the FAME program.
    • Students enrolled in the Social Science Scholars program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
    • Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
    • Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.

    AY2025-2026

    For Graduate Students: This scholarship is available to graduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:

    • Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
    • Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.

    How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition.

    How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement indicating the applicant’s academic and career goals AND the ways in which the applicant meets the criteria for the Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences.

    Deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024

    Deadline to apply is September 13, 2024

    APPLY

  • Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award

    The Gordon and Norma Guyer Endowed Internship Program provides scholarships to support MSU students that participate in public policy related internships. Scholarships of at least $1,000 each will be awarded for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters and will be applicable towards a student's tuition. 

    Eligibility is open to all MSU students pursuing any degree/major are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Requirements include students must arrange to be employed in a public policy related internship and enroll for MSU internship credit. Students receiving a scholarship are expected to participate in activities of the Guyer program including an orientation session before the internship begins and a reception following internship completion.


    Click on the link below to print the application. Submit the application along with all required materials to one of the representatives listed on the bottom of the application. 

    Guyer Scholarship Application

    Click on the following link for a printable flyer with the current dates/details:

    Guyer Scholarship Announcement

  • Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship

    The Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship was established to provide assistance to a student who has shown through academic excellence and diverse activities that he or she has a commitment to public service, with a goal of joining one of the foreign affairs or national intelligence agencies of the United States.  This award is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.  The Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship. The scholarship recipient will receive $1,500 in the fall semester and $1,500 in the spring semester of their senior year.

    In selecting the award winner, the scholarship committee will be seeking evidence of:

    • 3.5 of higher GPA
    • Undergraduate senior
    • PLS or IDS major with an emphasis in International Studies with at least three upper division PLS courses
    • Participation in extracurricular activities while at MSU

    Students interested in applying for this scholarship should submit a current resume and a statement that addresses educational and professional goals, plans for the senior year and how those plans further their goals, and career objectives. All materials for the scholarship can be submitted electronically to Krista Zeig at kzeig@msu.edu.

  • Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship
    Encourages and challenges outstanding students by providing opportunities to practice social and behavioral science through innovative research with a faculty mentor.  Must be an undergraduate major in College of Social Science, minimum of 87 semester credits completed prior to commencement of the award (not prior to selection), high academic achievement, intellectual interests and focused career goals.  Candidates are nominated by faculty, chairs and directors or the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs.  The deadline is March 1.  See http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/ for additional information.
  • Ernest G. and Phyllis C. Green MSU Black Alumni Scholarships
    Benefits talented students who will enhance program diversity and reinforce the record of commitment by the College of Social Science for educating students who are representative of our larger society.  Must be freshman, sophomore, or junior with a primary major in the College of Social Science.  The deadline is March 1.  See http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/ for additional information.
  • Charles Hayden Kelley Scholarships
    Benefits worthy and capable students in the College of Social Science who have unusual financial need but may not normally be qualified for financial aid.  Preference is given to students from single parent households who, without this award, would have difficulty attending MSU.  Must be freshman, sophomore, or junior majors in the College of Social Science.  The deadline is March 1.  See http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/ for additional information.
  • Richard B. Gerisch Scholarship
    Benefits worthy and capable students in the College of Social Science majoring in either Public Administration in the Department of Political Science or in Public Policy Studies or Community Governance and Advocacy in Interdisciplinary Studies.  Must be preparing for careers in public policy or public administration in government, non-profit sector, public interest association, or private sector organizations that deal with the interrelationship between private enterprise and public policy.  Must show evidence of intellectual maturity and a well-rounded undergraduate education.  The deadline is March 1.  See http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/
    for additional information.
  • Larsen-Becker DC Study Away Award

    This fund, up to $10,000,  is intended to support undergraduate students looking to engage in an internship in Washington, D.C. Applicants were asked to write a short essay on how they plan to utilize their experiential learning experience to research and/or gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women. Applications due September 20. 

    Eligibility

    Undergraduate students will be eligible for this award. Funds will be used for experiential learning opportunities including but not limited to study away/abroad, conference attendance, or internship.

    Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and able to receive scholarship distribution in the spring term (after the winners are announced and officially contacted).

    • ‌Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered (e.g., missing or unmatched criteria).

    • ‌Award recipients will be required to submit a letter of acceptance and thank you within two weeks of notification to receive the award. Letters should be addressed to WLI Executive Board. The letters will be submitted to and delivered to the donors by Amanda Guinot Talbot, PhD, WLI Director at guinotam@msu.edu.

    • ‌Depending on the amount and type of an applicants’ financial aid package, this scholarship may change the aid package. If selected as a scholarship recipient, it is the student’s responsibility to investigate whether the award will adversely affect their financial aid.

    How to Apply

    Applicants will be asked to write a short essay on how they plan to utilize their experiential learning experience to research and/or gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women. In addition, students may be asked to submit their current resume, cover letter, and curriculum vitae. Preference given to students who are engaged with the Women’s Leadership Institute or future successor program. Students who receive this award must be enrolled at MSU and earning a minimum of one academic credit while participating in an internship or experiential learning opportunity.

  • Study Abroad and Study Away Scholarships
    The College of Social Science offers a number of scholarships to students participating in study abroad and study away programs.  See http://socialscience.msu.edu/students/social-science-undergraduates/scholarships-awards-and-funded-research-opportunities/ for additional information.

More scholarship opportunities are available at MSU Student Life & Engagement website here:

https://sle.msu.edu/scholarships