Public Administration Scholarships

Full-time graduate students preparing for a career in state or local government finance may apply for the Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship through the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Study should relate to public administration, finance, accounting, public policy, economics, or a similar field, and applicants should show strong interest in public-sector work. One recipient receives a $30,000 scholarship. Previous winners are ineligible. Submit the GFOA application with a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your commitment to public service, along with transcripts and other required materials.

Part-time students who are U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents and have been employed by state or local government for at least three years may apply if they are pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree in public administration, governmental accounting, finance, or business administration with a government focus. One to three awards of up to $15,000 are given annually. Applicants must plan a career in state or local government finance and must not have previously won a GFOA scholarship. Submit proof of enrollment, a letter of recommendation from an employer, and a reference familiar with your commitment to the public sector.

U.S. residents who are high school seniors, graduates, GED recipients, or current undergraduates with at least a 2.5 GPA pursuing education, counseling, social work, psychology, or nursing at an accredited college or vocational school may apply. Education, counseling, social work, and psychology applicants must commit to working in K-12 systems. Renewable awards of up to $5,000 per year for two-year or vocational programs, or up to $10,000 per year for four-year programs, may continue for up to four additional years. Up to 100 recipients may be selected. Submit academic records and three essays on educational goals, personal challenges, and plans for impact. Financial need is considered. DACA recipients are eligible.

Upper-level undergraduate and graduate accounting students who are U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents and plan careers in state or local government finance may apply for the Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship through GFOA. GFOA awards two $10,000 scholarships annually. Past GFOA scholarship winners are not eligible. Apply through the online GFOA form, selecting the Greathouse scholarship. Upload transcripts, proof of enrollment, a resume, a personal statement, a short-answer response, and two letters of recommendation submitted as a single document.

Undergraduate or graduate students from historically marginalized groups preparing for careers in state or local government finance may apply. One $10,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a full- or part-time student in public administration, governmental accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration with a government or nonprofit focus. Submit the online application with proof of enrollment, transcripts, a letter of recommendation attesting to your public sector commitment, and a personal statement on career goals. GFOA renamed this award in 2024 to honor Clark Burrus; it was originally created in 1993 to support minority students in government finance.

Part-time graduate students employed at least two years by one or more state or local governments who are majoring in public administration, governmental accounting, finance, economics, or business administration with a government focus may apply for GFOA's Government Finance Professional Development Scholarship. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents planning careers in state or local government finance. Up to four $10,000 awards are granted. Previous winners are ineligible. Submit the application with a letter of recommendation from your employer and a letter from someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector.

U.S. citizen high school seniors planning careers in local, state, or federal government service may apply for Washington Crossing Foundation national and regional scholarships. Twenty-four awards ranging up to $10,000 are granted. Applicants submit three collated dossiers, each with a one-page essay of no more than 300 words on their government-service career plans and George Washington's Delaware crossing, a principal or counselor recommendation, transcripts, and test scores. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline; winners attend the awards ceremony in Pennsylvania. The foundation honors George Washington and supports students committed to public service careers.

Graduate students enrolled in an accredited master's, doctoral, or law program in the U.S. or Canada may apply to conduct original research on community associations and common-interest communities. Stipends range from $3,000 to up to $5,000 over one year. Applicants must remain enrolled through the research period. Submit a research proposal through the Foundation for Community Association Research application. Students from any discipline may apply if their proposed project relates to community associations. The fellowship supports research that informs homeowners, board members, managers, and others who live and work in community associations.

Graduate students in school administration who intend to pursue a career as a public school superintendent may apply through AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Seven awards of $2,500 are granted annually. Applicants must be recommended by their School of Education chair, and only one application per campus is accepted. The application requires three career essays, one chair recommendation, and two endorsement letters. AASA established these scholarships in 1949 to honor outstanding graduate students committed to educational leadership.

Graduate students enrolled at Florida colleges or universities studying engineering, natural sciences, public administration, or a related field with an interest in stormwater may apply through the Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation. Awards include at least $2,000 per recipient plus registration and hotel for the FSA Winter Conference. Number of awards varies annually. Applicants must have completed at least one graduate semester, be in good academic standing, and plan full-time fall enrollment. Download the application when released in January and submit all materials by August 7. Awards are presented at the Winter Conference in December.