scholarship links
This page contains links to a variety of scholarship, fellowship and grant sources. While I include a number of general sources here, I have also listed scholarships that are most relevant to students studying world and comparative politics, or for those students who are planning to study abroad. Some scholarships are for students who plan to pursue advanced study outside of CSLA. Needless to say, this list is far from comprehensive. So, if you're serious about finding a scholarship, use this list strictly as a starting point.
where to start?
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 2008 guide.
department and nss awards (csla students only)
Hector Elizalde Scholarship | Requirements: Political Science major, 3.0 GPA; full-time status, Contribution to the University community
William E. Lloyd Scholarship | Requirements: Graduate student in History or Political Science; 3.0 GPA; demonstrated financial need.
Ake Sandler Scholarship | Requirements: Political Science major; undergraduate standing 3.0 GPA or higher in all CSLA Political Science courses; Must have completed at least 28 undergraduate units in Political Science at 200 level or above.
The Munda Scholarship | Requirements: All majors in the School of Natural and Social Sciences; 3.0 GPA ; independent student; demonstrate need; part-time status • Career goal is teaching science to undergraduates in a college or university
John L. Houk Memorial Fellowship (Emeriti) | Requirements: Admission to and current enrollment in a master's degree program; working towards a Master's degree in Political Science; 3.5 graduate GPA; completion of at least one 500 level course; university and/or community service
Natural and Social Sciences Dean’s Scholarship | Requirements: All majors in the School of Natural and Social Sciences; 3.0 GPA; upper division standing
Donald W. and Majorie Bray | Latin American Studies or Political Science with a minor in Latin American Studies • 3.0 GPA
Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program (CSU) | The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of California State University (CSU) students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. The program places a special emphasis on increasing the number of CSU students who enter doctoral programs at one of the University of California (UC) institutions
external scholarships and 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
Fulbright Student Program | Annual competition for awards to graduating seniors, young professionals, artists and graduate students to over 100 countries
The Freeman Asia scholarship | The primary goal of Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) is to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia, by providing them with the information and financial assistance they will need.
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.
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.
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
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.
Foreign Language and Areas Studies Fellowship (FLAS) Program | This program provides funds for academic year and summer fellowships to IHEs in order to assist graduate students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies. Students apply directly to IHEs that have received fellowship allocations from the Department of Education. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria in order to receive fellowships.
Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes | Sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers(CAORC), the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program will offer 525 scholarships for intensive summer language institutes overseas in eleven critical need foreign languages for summer 2009. The CLS Program was launched in 2006 to offer intensive overseas study in the critical need foreign languages of Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu. In 2007, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian institutes were added along with increased student capacity in the inaugural language institutes. In 2009, Azerbaijani will be offered at the intermediate and advanced levels.
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.
The Korea Society Language Scholarship | Each year, The Korea Society accepts applications for its language scholarships which support Korean language study at a university in Korea. The benefits of the scholarship include tuition, round-trip airfare to Korea and a stipend to cover basic living expenses.
Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan | The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan.
Scholarships for Minority Groups
Armenian Students Association Scholarship | Scholarships for students of Armenia descent.
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. The APSA also has a listing of Grants, Scholarships and Other Opportunities for Minorities.
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)-Law School Scholarship | MALDEF’s law school scholarship program is open to law students entering their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of law school.
Millennium Momentum Foundation Scholarship | The MMFS targets undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in public service (public administration, public policy and related fields, including political science). Applications must be US citizens and a resident of California. Scholarships are limited to members of the following ethnic groups: African-American, Asian-Pacific American, Hispanic/Lation, or Indian/Native American. Successful applicants will receive a scholarship of $2,000. See sidebar for more information.
