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Top 11 Political Science Scholarships in September 2022
There’s no doubt about it: politics is an exciting field to be in. Whether you are right, left, or center, political science can be a great major to consider if you aspire to work in the political arena. Political science can open up many doors, whether you want to go to law school, run for office, work in media, or conduct research in a think tank. It’s no surprise that political science is a very popular major among students.
If you are a current or prospective political science major, you are probably also thinking about how to pay for your degree! Luckily, there are a number of scholarships to help you fund your political science degree (and if you are a college student looking for law school scholarships, we’ve got them too!)
Jump ahead to:
- Top political science scholarships
- Summary of political science scholarships
- Resources for political science students
- Frequently asked questions about political science scholarships
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these other scholarship categories
Keep on reading to learn more about the top political science scholarships to apply for!
Top political science scholarships
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Students in grades 11t and 12, undergraduate, and graduate students who write a 800 – 1,600 word essay
- Amount: Up to $10,000 (many prizes!)
- Deadline: September 26, 2022
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
- Eligibility: High school students (9-12)
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: January 13, 2023
National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and planning careers of service to the United States in local, state, or federal government
- Amount: Up to a $5,000 scholarship. In addition, winners receive an all expenses paid weekend, including transportation and housing, to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to attend the Scholarship Awards Ceremony
- Deadline: January 15, 2023
APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to minority graduate students who have financial need and demonstrate a dedication to improving social disparities.
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: These scholarships are offered through the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). They are open to college juniors or seniors pursuing a major in political science, history, government, or economics
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
Anthem Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Students in 8th through 12th grade who write a 600 – 1,200 word essay
- Amount: Up to $2,000 (many prizes!)
- Deadline: April 27, 2023
Fountainhead Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Students in 11th and 12th grade who write a 800 – 1,600 word essay
- Amount: Up to $5,000 (many prizes!)
- Deadline: April 27, 2023
Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in criminal justice
- Amount:$500
- Deadline: August 1, 2023
United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors who hold a leadership role within their school’s government or honors society
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: Varies
Other political science scholarships
Patriot’s Pen Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: October 31, 2022
American Political Science Association Grants and Scholarships
- Eligibility: Students majoring in Political Science
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Upcoming political science scholarships
Global Perspectives Scholarship
- Eligibility: Incoming or current college students who answer the prompt: What kind of global impact project is most critical for you to focus on and why, and what is your plan to make that impact in the next year and beyond?
- Amount: $1,000
Media Fellows Scholarship
- Eligibility: College undergraduates with high financial need who are majoring in Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Business, Political Science, Strategic Media, or other related fields
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
Resources for political science students
American Political Science Association
This website offers political science majors a wealth of resources, including internships, career advice, publications, and opportunities to connect with other students. Bookmark this one!
International Political Science Association
For students looking to contextualize their view of legal systems within the frame of the larger world, this is a great resource. It’s especially for students interested in international law or politics.
Midwest Political Science Association
For students studying or hoping to focus on the Midwest, this is a great resource. It’ll help familiarize you with research and changes in law in Midwestern states and could help you connect with political scientists in the area. You could find the co-author of your first book through this organization!
Frequently asked questions about political science scholarships
Is political science a good major for law school?
Political science is a great major to prepare you for law school! CUNY cites two reasons why political science helps prepare students for law school. The first is that it helps develop students’ analytical and research abilities in a way that compliments the study of law. The second is that it helps familiarize you with “the context in which law is practiced.”
However, political science is not the only major that you can use to go to law school. Law school is a common grad school destination for students across the social sciences and humanities spectrums. Don’t feel like you have to major in political science to go to law school!
Can I earn political science scholarships if I major in something else?
The answer to this question varies on a scholarship-by-scholarship basis. Generally, political science-oriented scholarships for high schoolers do not require that you go on to major in the field. But oftentimes, political science scholarships for current college students will require that you major or minor in the field.
Ultimately, you should make sure to read the the terms and conditions of any scholarship opportunity very carefully before applying. It never hurts to reach out to the organization to be sure that you are eligible. In fact, making this contact with an organization might even help your chances by demonstrating your interest in the scholarship.
What does the political science major entail?
Good question! Political science covers a very wide range of topics, pertaining to the distribution of power, how governments and laws work, and how we function as a society. Our political science major overview can go into more detail about your classwork and future prospects as a political science major.
Do my political views affect my chances of winning a political science scholarship?
Yes and no! There are many political science scholarships out there that do not have an explicit political leaning. They will probably make their choices strictly based on students’ demonstrated analytical and argumentative skills. In this way, they are like any other scholarship.
However, some scholarships, such as those offered by institutes with an explicit political standpoint, might only cater to students who advance specific political beliefs. For example, the libertarian think-tank called the Cato Institute in DC offers a scholarship to “identify and educate the future minds of the liberty movement.” In this case, you will need to have similar views to qualify.
