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Scholarships

Through the generous support of WLI Executive Board members and MSU alumni, the WLI can provide practical support to our student leaders. Several of our annual scholarships are outlined below.

 

Fall Scholarships

Larsen-Becker DC Study Away Award

Up to $9,000 Scholarship Opportunity: Available for undergraduate students at Michigan State University looking to expand their educational horizons through study away in Washington, DC.

  • Application Deadline: September 26, 2025 - 5:00pm EST. Ensure all parts of your application are complete and accurate to be considered.

  • How To Apply

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Must be a current student at Michigan State University.

    • Must be planning to work, intern, or study away in Washington, DC.

    • Able to receive scholarship funds in the fall term post-announcement.

    Requirements:

    • Submit a short essay (500 words) detailing your plan to use the experiential learning experience to explore leadership opportunities.

    • Include a current resume, cover letter, and curriculum vitae with your application.

    Application Deadline: September 26, 2025 - 5:00pm EST. Ensure all parts of your application are complete and accurate to be considered.

    Submit Application Materials to  SSC.WLI@msu.edu. 

The Barnow Empowering Leadership Award

The Barnow Empowering Leadership Award is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress. Preference will be given to students in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Applications due September 26, 2025.

  • One (1) $2,000 scholarship awarded.
  • How to Apply

    Eligibility:

    • Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and able to receive scholarship distribution in the spring term (after the winners are announced and officially contacted).

      • Preference will be given to students from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

    • Applicants must be currently engaged with the WLI cohort program or planning to apply in the next application cycle.

    • Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered (e.g., missing or unmatched criteria).

    • Award recipients will be required to submit a letter of acceptance and thank you within two weeks of notification to receive the award. Letters should be addressed to Kristen Barnow. The letters will be submitted to and delivered to the donors by Amanda Guinot Talbot, PhD, WLI Director at guinotam@msu.edu.

    • Depending on the amount and type of an applicants’ financial aid package, this scholarship may change the aid package. If selected as a scholarship recipient, it is the student’s responsibility to investigate whether the award will adversely affect their financial aid. 

    How to Apply

    In an engaging written or creative visual/virtual statement: How do you hope participating in the Women's Leadership Institute enhance your ability to be a transformative leader?

    Submission Requirements:

    • A written or creative visual/video statement acknowledging the prompt.

    • A current resume highlighting your leadership experiences and achievements.

 

Spring Scholarships

  • Loaiza-Souza Leadership Award - *WLI Cohort ONLY

  • Ebert Family Leadership Scholarship Fund

  • Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund

  • Carolyn Jackson Legacy Award

 

 

Scholarship Best Practices

Before Submitting 

Before you submit, thoroughly review the application, how you qualify, and the information and documents you will need to complete. 

Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the terms/directions of the application. Do you know if and/or how you qualify? Can you complete the application and produce the required documents in the period provided?

Figure out when the application is due and work backward to create a timeline for completion. You will want to set a personal due date at least two to three days before the stated due date. This will allow time for editing and factor in time for submission errors due to technical problems.

Make sure you have plenty of time to complete, review, and apply on time.  Do you know the application due date? Do you have a plan for completion and submission?

 

Preparing the Submission 

Read and review the directions of the application submission process. It is your responsibility to understand the application's necessary components, complete it, and submit it.

When writing an essay or other content connected to the scholarship prompt, ensure that every paragraph has a purpose and advances the objective. In your submission, connect the ideas from one paragraph to the next and provide examples to amplify your point.

Draft all additional documents (e.g., personal statement, a summary of goals, a summary of research). Have you followed the directions outlined for these documents? Do you have ample time to edit? Have you had a third party read and review? Do these documents represent you as a professional?

Whether for a scholarship, job, or educational program, the application is your virtual introduction to the reviewers. As such, you must take the time to verify all of your information is accurate and complete. 

Double and triple-check your application for spelling and grammatical errors. Have you completed all fields? Are there any blank questions? Have you uploaded your revised documents (e.g., resume, personal statement)? 

 

When Awarded

All award recipients must acknowledge the hard work and generosity behind the scholarship/award.  This is not only a moment to thank the donor(s) but an opportunity to practice your professional writing skills.

Format all thank you letters professionally, remember you are writing as a professional, representing MSU, and most importantly, taking time to acknowledge the generosity of the donor(s). See general formatting tips below.

  • Double and triple-check the document for spelling and grammar errors. The final copy should be free from all errors.
  • Express your gratitude for the gift and enthusiasm for what the gift allows you to do or pursue.
  • Describe to the donor(s) who you are, what you are studying, and your future plans.
  • Sincerely reflect on what this gift means and how it helps your continued education.

 

MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. These opportunities are open to students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.

 

Women's Leadership Institute