Scholarships and Awards
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Department is pleased to offer a number of awards to our undergraduate and graduate students. Students are also eligible for additional awards across campus.
Departmental Undergraduate Awards
These awards and scholarships are granted to undergraduate and graduate students every spring semester for tuition and fees. The average award is $500. Applications are accepted from Nov. 1-Feb. 15.
- Augusta H. Gerberich Scholarship Fund: This award is given annually to junior or seniors majoring in political science whose special field of interest is international relations, with a preference given to female students. The award is based on high levels of scholastic aptitude and scholastic success, demonstration of financial need, and evidence of leadership.
- Elizabeth C. Hanson Scholarship: This award provides up to $2,000 to support students who are pursuing an internship in an international setting or in an organization deeply engaged in international matters. Undergraduates interested in international relations, international political economy, critical global issues, and international culture and institutions are eligible to apply. You must be applying or hold a related internship.
- Fannie Dixon Welch Scholarship: Given annually to a junior or senior female political science major with a special interest in international relations and public policy who is a Democrat, registered in Connecticut. This scholarship is awarded separately by the Connecticut Federation of Democratic Women. The recipient of this award will be contacted directly by the CFDW (not UConn).
- Howard L. Reiter Memorial Senior Award: This award is given annually to the undergraduate senior of high academic achievement who is majoring in political science and plans to study political science, government, international affairs, or a relevant field at the graduate level. In your application, you will have to demonstrate intent to pursue graduate education.
- I. Ridgeway Davis Pre-Law Fellowship Fund: This award is given annually to two undergraduate students in recognition of scholarly achievement, with preference to seniors who are pursuing degrees in political science and students who plan to enter law school after graduation. You will need to demonstrate intent to apply to law school.
- Irving Smirnoff Scholarship Fund: This award is given annually to undergraduate juniors and/or seniors majoring in political science, who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
- Jaime B. Cheshire '99 Endowed Internship Award in Political Science: This award is given annually to an undergraduate pursuing a degree in political science and who has been accepted to and is participating in the Political Science Internship Program. You need to be enrolled in POLS 3991.
- Legal Studies Scholarship Fund: This award is given annually to two undergraduate students in recognition of scholarly achievement, with preference to seniors who are pursuing degrees in political science, with priority given to students who plan to enter law school after graduation.
- Roy H. and Hilda M. Merolli Scholarship in Political Science: This scholarship provides support for continuing undergraduate students enrolled full-time with demonstrated academic achievement and financial need who are Political Science majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- Robert M. Ward ’74 and Thomas D. Ritter ’77 Internship Award: Given to talented undergraduate students who are enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and have been accepted into the Connecticut General Assembly Internship Program. This award is overseen by the political science internship coordinator through a separate application process. Please note the deadline is late December.
Graduate Awards
Each year, the Graduate Affairs Committee selects the recipients of the following awards:
- Norman Kogan Fellowship: Given annually to a graduate student (Ph.D. or MA) in political science who studies European politics, with a preference for one who specializes in the study of Western European politics.
- Fund for Legal Studies Fellowship: Given annually to a student (with priority consideration given to MA or Ph.D. students) in political science with preference for one studying public law.
- Governor Abraham Ribicoff Fellowship: Given annually to a graduate student in political science, with preference for a student who specializes in the study of American politics and is a current resident of Connecticut.
- George F. Cole Dissertation Fellowship: Awarded to a graduate student in political science conducting dissertation research in public law. Preference given to a student studying the administration of criminal justice.
- Michael Dunphy Award: Given annually to a graduate student (MA or Ph.D.) with a strong interest in either American government or society, history, or culture. The Department of Political Science shares this award with the Departments of History and Sociology.
- Everett Ladd Fellowship in American Politics: Given annually to a graduate student with the highest scholastic standing who intends to pursue American politics as a Ph.D. field.
- J. Garry Clifford Graduate Fellowship Fund: To assist in the recruitment and retention of excellent graduate students and offer a recurrent source of graduate student support.
- The Howard L. Reiter Memorial Award for Political Science Graduate Education: To support the University by providing fellowship support for graduate students enrolled full-time in the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
Additional Scholarship Resources
CLAS Scholarships and Fellowships
Undergraduate and graduate political science students are strongly encouraged to apply for CLAS scholarships and fellowships, several of which give preference to political science majors. Applications open at the beginning of the fall semester.
Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute
The Mark S. Rudy Award is given to academically excelling full-time students who are majoring or minoring in human rights with financial need. Further priority consideration is given to students who are also majoring or minoring in political science. Application deadline is generally May.
Office of Student Financial Aid Services
Looking for more scholarship and fellowship opportunities? The Office of Student Financial Aid Services offers additional information about opportunities and helpful links about financial literacy and student consumer information.