Where to Start? All students should begin their search for financial aid at the Center for Student Financial Aid on campus: CSLA's Center for Student Financial Aid is committed to assisting current and prospective students with financial assistance available from federal, state and institutional sources for their attendance at Cal State L.A.

Valuable Student Resource Guide Available • U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard's office offers a comprehensive list of scholarships, internships and fellowships for college students. Click here to download the 2007 guide.

Departmental/NSS Awards

Scholarships for Students Studying Global Politics (International Relations, Comparative Politics)

National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships| Provides a unique funding opportunity for U.S. students to study world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). Undergraduate scholarships are also available.

Fulbright Student Program | Annual competition for awards to graduating seniors, young professionals, artists and graduate students to over 100 countries

The Freeman Fellowship | Peace Action Education Fund is pleased to offer the Freeman Fellowship to young people in college or recent graduates interested in promoting campus activism for peace, disarmament and economic justice. This Fellowship is made possible by Ruth and Harrop Freeman who believed in the importance of developing the next generation of peace and justice organizers.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships | The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.

Student Internships for Undergraduate Students in Fields Including Political Science, Government, History, Public Policy or Communications | The U.S. Department of Justices's Office of Communications (OCOM) offers student internships for undergraduate students in fields including political sciences, government, history, public policy or communications

Council of Foreign Relations Fellowships | The Office of Membership and Fellowship Affairs administers the Intelligence Fellowship, the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship, the Military Fellowships, the Department of State Fellowship, International Affairs Fellowship and the International Affairs Fellowship in Japan.

Crane-Rogers Foundation Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowships |Provides talented and promising individuals with an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country or region outside the United States and to share that understanding with a wider public. Fellowships for 2005-2006 include: (1) John O. Crane Memorial Fellowship; (2) John Miller Musser Memorial Forest & Society Fellowships; and (3) Target-of-Opportunity Fellowship. Fellowships are for self-designed independent study only. Candidates must be under 36 years of age. Fellowships are not scholarships, and are not awarded to support work toward academic degrees or for research projects, or to write books. Unless specified otherwise, fellowships are open to citizens of all countries.

Washington Internship Institute: Embassy Scholars | Offers internships and a limited number of scholarship for students interested in participating in the Embassy and Diplomatic Scholars program

US Department of State Careers: Student Programs | Site lists a number of programs for students interested in pursuing a foreign service career.

Special Scholarships (Advanced Language Study or Study Abroad)

Blakemore Language Grants | Grants for advanced study of the principal modern languages of East and South East Asia.

Freeman-Asia Award| The Freeman-ASIA Award Program is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning on studying overseas in East or Southeast Asia. In the past, there have been few funding opportunities for study abroad in Asia.  However, with the generous support of the Freeman Foundation, the Institute of International Education now administers the Freeman-ASIA Award Program in order to give more American undergraduate students the means to study in Asia.

Korea Foundation Fellowships | Fellowship for Korean Language Training is designed to enhance competency in Korean language among overseas Korean Studies scholars, graduate students and professionals in Korea-related fields, by providing an opportunity to undertake intensive language training in a Korean language program at the leading universities in Korea.

Scholarships for Minority Groups

Armenian General Benevolent Union | AGBU offers interest-free loans to full-time graduate students of Armenian descent enrolled in most competitive colleges and universities in the United States. Students must start repayment of their loans one year after graduating or leaving school. Awards are in the range of $2,500-7,500. Deadline for returning a completed application is April 1. Students pursuing an MA degree in Communication, Education Administration, Public Administration, International Relations are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

American Political Science Association, Minority Fellows Program |The American Political Science Association established the Minority Fellows Program in an effort to increase the number of minority Ph.D.’s in political science. The fellows program identifies and aids prospective African American, Latino(a), and Native American political science graduate students, and encourages institutions to provide financial assistance to them.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellowship | The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellowship program offers up to 20 promising Latinos nationwide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the national level in the public policy area of their choice. The nine-month fellowship gives participants the opportunity to work in such areas as international affairs, economic development, education policy, housing or corporate affairs.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund | Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers different scholarship programs for students of various educational backgrounds. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of Hispanic heritage. Successful candidates are chosen on the basis of academic achievement, personal strengths, leadership and financial need. The selection of HSF scholars is assisted by the efforts of the ACT Recognition Program and by regional readers. HSF scholars have achieved success in many fields and often are visible role models in their communities.

Korean-American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) | Scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled in a full-time graduate programs. The scholarship recipient is selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, school activities, and community services.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) | The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) is committed to providing resources and information to immigrant students regarding private scholarships and financial opportunities for higher education. Please download their current list of scholarships.

League of United Latin American Citizens | League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) offers a variety of scholarships for high school seniors, undergraduate & graduate college students through our educational arm, the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC).

Scholarships to Minority Students for Summer Internships to Study Issues Relating to Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Nonprofit Organizations | The scholarship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are members of minority groups. The Hearst Scholar serves as a summer intern with the Fund.

Ralph Bunche Summer Institute | The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) is a five week, academically intensive summer program designed to simulate the graduate school experience, provide mentoring, and expand academic opportunities for African American, Latino/a, and Native American students. For juniors majoring in Political Science or a related discipline (such as CCS) who have an interest in attending graduate school in political science.

Other Scholarships Opportunites

There are hundreds of scholarships available to students with a high school journalism background. Scholarships can come from schools, journalism organizations, private companies and others. Click here for a directory of scholarships (provided by highschooljournalism.org)