Scholarships

Cynthia H. Fates Endowment in Social Science

This experiential learning award is intended to support the financial needs of students majoring in the College of Social Science to participate in experience-based learning, including but not limited to unpaid internships, study away programs, study abroad programs, service-learning programs, or research projects under the supervision of College of Social Science faculty members. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Open to students in good academic standing who are majors in the College of Social Science.
• Applicants must be enrolling in an experience-based learning course in the form of an unpaid internship, education abroad program, study away program, or service-learning program in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026

HOW IT CAN BE USED: Any experience-based learning program cost.

AMOUNT: Up to $3,000

TO APPLY:

1. Submit a one- to two-page statement about why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Cynthia H. Fates Scholarship would enable your participation to do so.

Be sure to specify the program you will enroll in, why you have chosen it, and the program dates.

2. Submit one letter of recommendation.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

Henderson Experiential Learning Award

This experiential learning award is designed to support students enrolled in the College of Social Science. It may be used to fund opportunities such as civic engagement and service learning, undergraduate research, study abroad, and internships.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Open to students in good academic standing who are majors in the College of Social Science.

• Applicants must be enrolled in experience-based learning through an unpaid internship, education abroad program, study away program, or service learning program in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.

Preference may be given to Veterans from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

HOW IT CAN BE USED: Any experience-based learning program cost.

AMOUNT: Up to $2,000

TO APPLY:

1. Submit a one- to two-page statement explaining why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Henderson Scholarship would support your participation.

Include in your statemement what program you plan to enroll in, why you chose it, and the program dates.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

Keydel/Garber Experiential Learning Scholarship

This experiential learning award is intended to support students pursuing a degree in the College of Social Science who are participating in experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad, study away, civic engagement and service learning, or internships in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Open to College of Social Science primary or second-degree majors in good academic standing.
• Applicants must be enrolling in experience-based learning in the form of an unpaid internship, education abroad program, study away program, or service-learning program in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.

HOW CAN IT BE USED: Funds may be used to support an experiential learning opportunity.

AMOUNT: Up to $2,500

TO APPLY:

1. Submit a one- to two-page statement about why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Keydel-Garber Scholarship would enable your participation to do so.

Include in your statement what program you will enroll in, why you have chosen that program, and the dates of the program.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

The Rachel P. Kahan Memorial Scholarship

For MSU's Washington, D.C. Semester Study Programs 
(Fall or Spring only)

Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and planning to participate in an internship in Washington, DC as part of MSU’s Semester Study Program during fall or spring semester. Those applicants who have demonstrated the Spartan tradition of community engagement and civic leadership are encouraged to apply. 

Gordon & Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award

For Internships in Public Policy

The Gordon and Norma Guyer Endowed Internship Program provides scholarships of at least $1000 to support MSU students that participate in  credit-bearing (Field Experience, i.e. MC 400/401) public policy related internships.

Any student completing Field Experience with a public policy-related internship should apply.

Guyer Scholarship Announcement (pdf)

Guyer Scholarship Application Form (pdf)

Grobbel Family DC Study Away Scholarship

This scholarship 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.

REQUIREMENTS: 

Students who are pursuing a degree at the College of Social Science and are participating in a Study Away program in the Washington, D.C. area.

Students must be in Good academic standing and enrolling in a study away trip in Washington, DC in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026. Preference will be given to Criminal Justice majors.

HOW IT CAN BE USED: Funds may be used to support their study away trip.

AMOUNT: Two (2) $3,000 scholarships. 

TO APPLY: 

Submit a one- to two-page statement about why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Grobbel Family D.C Scholarship would enable your participation to do so.

Include in your statement what program you will enroll in, why you have chosen that program, and the dates of the program.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

A. J. Harris II Field Experience Scholarship

For Interdisciplinary Studies Majors

Recognizes capable and deserving IDS students who are embarking upon for-credit field work experiences in the upcoming year. Please contact your IDS advisor for more information about this and other scholarships available to IDS majors.

If you are planning on an internship experience in US23, FS23 or SS24, you are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

Dr. Charles A. and Marjorie A. Gliozzo Endowed Scholarship

For Domestic and International Internships

The Dr. Charles A. and Marjorie A. Gliozzo Endowed Scholarship for Domestic and International Internships provides financial support for undergraduate MSU students to participate in approved accredited internship programs. Financial need is not a factor in awarding this scholarship. Scholarships for variable amounts ranging from $500 to $1500 will be awarded to recipients. 

Deadline for students planning to intern abroad in the summer, fall and spring of the following year is March 1.

Women's Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund

Who qualifies: Undergraduate students engaging in experiential learning (e.g., study away/abroad, internships). Preference will be given to students who are engaged with the Women's Leadership Institutional Internships.

How Much: Three (3) awardees, up to $5,000

How will you benefit: Opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women.

How to apply: Applicants will be asked to submit the following: 1) a short essay (500 words or less) on how you plan to utilize the experiential learning experience to research and/or gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women, 2) current resume, and 3) cover letter 

The Women's Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund was created with the help of Anita Khushalani, a 1987 graduate of MSU and a member of the WLI executive board. This gift was created to enhance experiential learning opportunities, specifically study abroad, study away or internship programs that will allow students to deepen their knowledge of the critical issues surrounding women's leadership

Khushalani has previously given back to the College of Social Science with the establishment of the Dr. Sarla Devidas Khushalani Memorial Scholarship, named after her late mother, in August 2021. Amanda Talbot, Director of Women's Leadership Institute, hopes that this new fund will serve to promote equity and expand opportunities for young women leaders with the help and support of the WLI.  

College of Social Science Study Abroad Alumni Scholarship - Summer or Fall Semester

Thanks to a generous endowment funded by the MSU College of Social Science Alumni Association, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Study Abroad Alumni Scholarship. 

REQUIREMENT: 

Students who are enrolled in a College of Social Science primary and second-degree major, who are participating in a study abroad program in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.

HOW IT CAN BE USED: Funds may be used to support their study abroad trip.

AMOUNT: Up to $2,000

TO APPLY: 

1. Submit a one- to two-page statement explaining why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Social Science Alumni Study Abroad Scholarship would support your participation.

Be sure to specify the program you will enroll in, why you have chosen it, and the program dates.

2. Submit one letter of recommendation.

NOTE:

All required materials must be uploaded before submitting the application. All letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline for the application to be considered complete.

DEADLINE: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship - Summer or Fall Semester

Thanks to a generous endowment funded by MSU Social Science alumnus Edwin Adler and his wife Gretchen, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship.

The Adlers gave this gift in furtherance of the continuing MSU commitment to lead in international education and study abroad.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Open to students in good academic standing who majors in the College of Social Science.
• Applicants must be enrolling in a study abroad program in the Summer 2026 or Fall 2026

HOW CAN IT BE USED: Funds may be used to support their study abroad trip.

AMOUNT: Up to $5,000

TO APPLY: 

1. Submit a one- to two-page statement explaining why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Social Science Alumni Study Abroad Scholarship would support your participation.

Be sure to specify the program you will enroll in, why you have chosen it, and the program dates.

1. Submit one letter of recommendation.

NOTE:

All required materials must be uploaded before submitting the application. All letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline for the application to be considered complete.

DEADLINE: Sunday, February 1, 2026

National Federation of Republican Women's Betty Rendel Scholarship

Betty Rendel Scholarship awards go to three female undergraduates each year who are attending a four-year accredited college or university and majoring in political science, government or economics. It is open to women across the nation.

Applicants must have completed at least two years of college before applying for the scholarship. Students must be interested in national government, politics and economics. When applying, they should be prepared to describe their level of interest in political and civic activities and what activities they have participated in.

The scholarship is sponsored by the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) in honor of past president Betty Rendel. Scholarship applications need to be sent to the appropriate state offices listed within the application information. Each state president may select only one applicant from each state to submit to the national headquarters.