Public Administration Scholarships

American Muslims committed to a career in public service who have graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university, are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients, and have at least one year of full-time professional policy experience (two to three years preferred) may apply for the ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship. One to two fellows are selected for a nine-month, full-time placement in a Congressional office in Washington, D.C. Fellows receive a $40,000 salary, roundtrip airfare, health insurance reimbursement up to $250 a month, placement support, Hill orientation, professional development workshops, and mentorship. Applications typically open in October with a February deadline. Required materials include an application form, resume, cover letter, video introduction, essay responses, transcripts, policy interests, and two letters of recommendation.

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.

The Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship at UC San Diego supports continuing undergraduates majoring in computer science, computer or electrical engineering, communications, political science/public policy, or related networked-systems fields who are connected to the LGBTQIA+ community and actively advocate for LGBTQIA+ issues. Continuing students apply through the annual Continuing Student Scholarship Application, typically due in early April. Preference is given to applicants with demonstrated academic merit, academic involvement, and financial need. If awarded, recipients may be asked to provide a public statement about their advocacy with consent. The award provides up to $12,000 for one academic year.

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.

Massachusetts residents with at least one year of state residency pursuing a designated high-demand major at an eligible Massachusetts public or independent institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA may apply via the MASSAid Student Portal. Awards of up to $10,000 per year are available for full-time study in fields such as STEM, health professions, education, social work, criminal justice, economics, or business. Amounts vary by institution type and enrollment level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Title IV-eligible non-citizens who have filed the FAFSA and not previously earned a bachelor's degree. The program encourages degree completion in disciplines that address Commonwealth workforce needs.