Scholarships and Funding in Political Science and Public Administration
Scholarships
Review our scholarships and funding opportunities for students in Political Science and Public Administration.
Maxine Berman Academic Achievement Award
Established in 2018 by Dr. David Jesuit, friends of Maxine Berman and The Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the Maxine Berman Academic Achievement Award recognizes the academic accomplishments and promise of a student enrolled in one or both of the seminar courses taught by the Griffin Chair (PSC 300/301). Berman was an American politician who served on the Michigan House of Representatives between 1983 and 1996. She served as the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University from 2009-2013. She died in 2018 at the age of 71 of lung cancer, in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
The application deadline is in the spring semester. To apply, log in to our scholarship matching tool: Scholarship Universe.
Barbara P. Greene Endowed Scholarship in Political Science
Established in 2004 by Sarah and Edward Cohen (daughter and son-in-law) and friends of Barbara Greene. Barbara was a professor and chair of the political science department prior to her death in 2001. Income from this endowment will support a scholarship for students enrolled in the political science department who have interest in state and local government. One scholarship will be awarded. Application deadline is the spring semester. To apply, log in to our scholarship matching tool: Scholarship Universe.
- Scholarship awarded to a CMU student majoring in political science, with an interest in state and local government.
- Minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Preference given first to a graduate student, followed by undergraduate seniors and juniors.
- Apply with a formal letter, a resume, and contact information for three references.
Ronald George Khoury and Andy Leavitt Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2022 by Ron Khoury '89 and Andy Leavitt '08, partners at Khoury Johnson Leavitt lobby firm in Lansing. Mr. Khoury and Mr. Leavitt were both first-generation college students and established the Khoury and Leavitt Annual Scholarship to benefit first-generation, political science majors, with financial need and value the opportunity to meet with the scholarship recipient.
This is a non-renewable annual scholarship for a sophomore, junior, or senior maintaining a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 with preference given toward first-generation college students. The application deadline is in the spring semester. To apply, log in to our scholarship matching tool: Scholarship Universe.
- Student must have a declared Political Science major and demonstrate a financial need.
- Student must be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior and maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicant must submit a brief personal narrative describing their intent to be active in non-school related activities related to politics/government. Preference given to first-generation college students.
The Honorable Fred M. and Lynne M. Mester Family Endowment
The Honorable Fred M. and Lynne M. Mester Family Endowment was established to recognize 1959 CMU graduate Judge Fred Mester's legacy as a respected friend, colleague, and mentor. Judge Mester's distinguished judicial career spans more than 26 years with the Oakland County Circuit Court. He also is a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office. As a chief of the Civil Division, prior to his judicial career, Judge Mester served in the Military as a Captain in the United Sates Army. This endowment also honors Judge Mester's wife, Lynne, a 1959 CMU graduate holding a degree in Education with a major in Social Studies and minors in Biology and English.
This award provides scholarship support to full-time CMU undergraduate students with a major or minor in the following departments: English Language and Literature; Political Science; and Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work. In addition, ROTC cadets, regardless of area of study, are eligible.
DEADLINE: TBA Spring 2026
Edward H. Potthoff Scholarship in Local Government Administration
This scholarship was established in 1987, by Mrs. Jean C. Potthoff, City Manager of Cadillac, President - Michigan Chapter of ICMA, Coordinator of CMU Public Administration Programs and one CMU Public Administration staff member. Edward H. Potthoff was a city manager in Cadilac and Saginaw. His work at both cities brought him to the attention of CMU faculty (Delbert Ringquist and William P. Browne).Mr. Potthoff was also a controversial figure in riverfront development in Saginaw. Therefore, a park was dedicated in his name that runs along the east bank of the Saginaw River from Battery Park to the Holland Avenue Bridge. He passed in 1982 at the age of 59 from cancer in Cadillac, Michigan.
Applicants must be graduate students in the CMU MPA Program. They need a demonstrated career interest in local government. One scholarship will be awarded. If the scholarship is awarded to a part-time student, it may be renewed once. The application deadline is in the spring semester. To apply, log in to our scholarship matching tool: Scholarship Universe.
- The award will be made only if highly qualified applicants apply.
- Apply with a formal letter, a resume, and contact information for three references who will speak to your career interests in Public Administration.
Nancy Stebbins Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2014 by friends and family of Nancy Stebbins to recognize the impact of her educational experience at Central Michigan University, and to provide for those who pursue the goal of helping others.
Eligibility:
- Fulltime undergraduate student having earned junior or senior status
- Student who has elected the field of social work
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Applicant must have financial need as demonstrated by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
- The applicant’s primary residence must be in Michigan
For more information, contact the social work office at swk@cmich.edu or 989-774-2690.
John E. Warriner Scholarship
The John E. Warriner Scholarship was established through an estate gift from the late Dr. John E. Warriner. Dr. Warriner was the author of Warriner's Handbook of English and the six-volume series English Grammar and Composition. He was the son of former Central Michigan University president Eugene C. Warriner.
Several scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in anthropology, cultural & global studies, economics, English, foreign languages, history, journalism, museum studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, speech, social work, or sociology. Applicants must have a minimum 3.25 GPA.
DEADLINE: TBA Spring 2026
Grants
Study Abroad Grant
An international experience is an invaluable part of a student's education and will provide an international perspective which cannot be fully recreated within the classroom. To promote international study, the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service has created a small fund to assist students with costs related to study abroad.
Award Amount: Awards are limited to no more than $100 and are dependent upon the amount of funding available.
Email us at SPSJPS@cmich.edu with any questions.
Student Travel Grant
Central Michigan University’s School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service considers undergraduate and graduate students’ research to be a vital part of their education. This Student Travel Grant is to assist and encourage student presentations at Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology and Social Work professional conferences.
Award Amount: Awards are limited to no more than $100 and are dependent upon the amount of funding available.
Email us at SPSJPS@cmich.edu with any questions.
Internship funding
William S. Ballenger, III and Dr. William P. Browne Capitol Internship Program Endowment
The William S. Ballenger III and Dr. William P. Browne Capitol Internship Program Endowment provides financial support to political science students completing internships within all branches of the state and federal government. The endowment provides students with a stipend for transportation and other expenses related to the internship activities. The endowment was established through private gifts from family and friends, including Ballenger and Bill Browne's wife, Linda. The endowment will continue to increase its support for internship stipends as future gifts are received through ongoing fundraising efforts by the college.
Ballenger served as the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at CMU from 2003-07. He is a former state representative and senator, director of the State Department of Licensing and Regulation, and a former state racing commissioner. He also served as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in President Gerald R. Ford's administration.
Browne taught political science at CMU for more than 30 years until he passed away in 2005 after a 12-year battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia. He was instrumental in establishing the Master of Public Administration program and in placing political science students in internships throughout the country. The Ballenger-Browne endowment was designed to support and enhance the internship placement efforts that Browne helped to establish.
This award is to be used to support a student or students with transportation and other expenses such as overnight housing towards an internship within the Senate and/or House. These internships should be hands on experiences within Michigan state government or the U.S. government.
- The student must be participating in an internship program though CMU.
- The scholarship is renewable for up to one year of full-time continuous enrollment. Part-time attendance or withdrawal from the university will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
- The recipient will be a student enrolled in the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service academic program or who has an interest in the study of political science.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.
To apply, log in to our scholarship matching tool: Scholarship Universe.
