Scholarships

For a full list of all scholarships, visit the MSU Scholarships main page.

 

Scholarships for Current Students

College Scholarships

• The Ron Dorr Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing

  Established in 2002, the Ron Dorr Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing is awarded annually in recognition of the best academic essay, autobiographical narrative, or piece of creative writing submitted by a James Madison College student. The award is named in honor of Professor Ron Dorr, whose vision, dedication, and passion for teaching have immeasurably enriched the College.

  Professor Dorr's founding vision of a first-year writing program focused on the human dimensions of public affairs has ensured that, from their first semester on campus, James Madison students are encouraged to “take serious books seriously,” gaining an appreciation for the richness and complexity of the human experience by engaging with significant texts from the humanities.

  Dorr's dedication to fostering his students' analytical abilities has contributed to the College's reputation for graduating students skilled at conveying complex ideas clearly, in writing and in speech. His own passion for ideas and model of self-reflection have helped his students develop the habits of mind essential to a liberal education. His sponsorship of the Madison “Madhouses” has enabled countless students to share their literary and musical talents, enhancing the sense of community that is vital to a residential college.

  Dorr's commitment to educating the whole student -- in the classroom, during his office hours, and at evening Madhouses -- embodies the College's primary mission of excellence in undergraduate teaching. The Dorr Award acknowledges the central place of writing in the Madison curriculum, and honors Ron Dorr's outstanding contributions to the Madison community.

  Submissions are due by March 1st each year. 

• Frank and Adelaide Kussy Memorial Scholarship

  The Kussy Endowment offers up to three scholarships of at least $1000 each per year for projects related to study of the Holocaust or genocide. 

  Students (undergraduate, graduate, or postdocs) or faculty in James Madison College or in other colleges at Michigan State University who are engaged in serious academic work related to the study of the Holocaust or its legacy or on matters of the history of genocide, contemporary genocide, and genocide prevention are invited to apply. 

  Projects may include coursework, thesis, independent study, relevant study abroad, independent research, travel to collections, or creative academic projects. 

  Applications will be judged on merit, student academic performance, faculty performance, contribution to knowledge, and/or contribution to society. 

  Applicants may apply no more than three times in a five-year period. 

   

  Applicants must apply electronically by January 31, 2024: 

  Email to Katie Dyjach: dyjachk@msu.edu 

  The application requires: 

  1. Proposal (a description of the proposed project or research, approximately 1,000 words) 
  2. Discussion of the applicant’s relevant qualifications 
  3. Brief curriculum vitae or transcript 
  4. Letter of recommendation (not necessary for faculty applicants) 
  5. Budget: Applications should ask for no less than $1,000 and no more than $2,500

  
  

  After the scholarship, undergraduate awardees working on the Holocaust will be asked to present their work at the Jewish Studies Undergraduate Research Conference in April, faculty and graduate students will be asked to give a public lecture, and all awardees will submit copies of completed projects to be kept on file at James Madison College.

   

  Selection

  A committee of three faculty members will review applications and, under the dean’s leadership, select Kussy Award recipients. Awards are usually effective the following academic year, either for summer or academic year study but may be used in the current spring. Awards may be used for tuition, to support travel or study abroad, or for research or material costs related to the project.

• Herbert Garfinkel Award for Outstanding Community Service

  The Herbert Garfinkel Award for Community Service is presented annually to the graduating senior whose record best exemplifies the integration of voluntary community service into their program of study in public affairs. Named after the founding Dean of James Madison College, this award reflects his and the College's commitment to public and community service in its many forms as an integral part of Madison's mission and program of study.

  All graduating seniors, from fall, spring and summer semesters of a given academic year, are eligible for the Garfinkel Award. To be considered for this award, students must have a strong and abiding commitment to community service, demonstrated by volunteer and other community activities. They must also have shown a strong academic competence and good character throughout their time at Madison. The best candidates will have successfully blended their academic, personal and service lives into an integrated whole.

  Students must be nominated to be considered. Any member of the Madison community -- student, faculty, staff or alumni -- may make nominations for the Garfinkel award. Nominations should take the form of a letter, presenting the case for the nominee in a clear, detailed and verifiable manner. No self-nominations will be accepted. For more information, including nomination instructions and deadline, please contact the Dean's Office.

  Nomination materials should be submitted to Dean Brian Johnson via email to john3582@msu.edu and marked the following way:
  Herbert Garfinkel Award
  JMC's Office of Justice, Equity, & Inclusion
  Attn: Assistant Dean Brian Johnson

  Deadline for Spring 2024 TBA.

• Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship

  The Gerber Scholarship is awarded each year to rising senior JMC students.

  You must be enrolled for the full academic year following the award notification. The one-year award for $3,500 is specifically for students entering their final academic year and who need financial assistance. 

  Eligible students should demonstrate academic excellence, engagement in a range of activities, and possess a commitment to public service, with a goal of joining one of the foreign affairs agencies of the United States, an international service agency, the military service of the United States or a career in international law or international trade.

  If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please address a letter of interest to Assistant Dean Jeff Judge detailing your long-term aspirations as they connect to the goals of this scholarship and provide a current resume. Additionally, one faculty letter of recommendation is required. Email applications to Kristie Hess (hessk1@msu.edu) by 5 p.m. the first Monday following MSU spring break.
• Habib Scholarship in Muslim Studies

  Dr. John Habib held a joint appointment with the College of Social Science and James Madison College at MSU as a Diplomat in Residence for 2005-06. He has a long record of diplomatic service for the U.S. in the Middle East and has taught extensively since retiring. Dr. Habib established this scholarship in 2006 to encourage students to advance their knowledge of other cultures and support the Muslim Studies Program at MSU. 

  The Habib Scholarship may be awarded to any MSU student enrolled in the Muslim Studies minor as of January of the year they are applying. The $2,500 scholarship is applied to a student’s account for the fall semester of the following academic year.

  Eligibility is as follows:

  • Registered in the MSU Muslim Studies minor as of January 31 of the spring semester.
  • Professional goals involving Muslim Studies
  • Academic achievement
  • Financial Need

  To apply for this award, please submit a letter of interest along with a CV or resume and one letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Letters of recommendation should be submitted along with the letter of interest and CV or resume. Include in the subject line: John Habib Scholarship Committee. Email Kristie Hess (hessk1@msu.edu) no later than 5 p.m. the first Monday following MSU spring break.
• Steven J. Kautz Memorial Scholarship

  Steven J. Kautz Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to qualified applicants enrolled in James Madison College or majoring in Political Science.

  Steven J. Kautz was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan but raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee. There, Steve developed diverse but lifelong passions for reading, studying, and practicing democratic politics, baseball, and the Green Bay Packers. He entered James Madison College in 1977, deepening his understanding of themes that would become his life work: The workings of the democratic regimes of the United States and the United Kingdom, great democratic politicians such as Lincoln and Churchill, and the art and science of everyday democratic politics, including elections, the workings of representative bodies and the courts and executive power. He was an outstanding student, winning a prestigious Truman Scholarship, graduating with high honors, and going on to the University of Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1989 from the Committee on Social Thought.

  He was a productive scholar, best known for his book “Liberalism and Community,” where he examines the issue of how, in a system predicated on self-interest and individual rights, the encouragement of equality, community and political virtues that aim at social goods still flourishes. He also published many articles on American political theory and Abraham Lincoln. He was working on a book about Abraham Lincoln at the time of his death. He also took his passion for undergraduate education into academic administration, serving as the Associate Dean of the Honors College (2005-2007) and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Science (2014-2018).

  Recipients shall be selected based on outstanding academic work, a preference for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and personal experiences that share Steve's lifelong devotion to the study and practice of American, British and comparative politics.

  Interested applicants must provide a letter of interest relating to Professor Kautz’s lifelong passion for a better understanding of democratic politics in the U.S. and the UK and democratic leadership. The letter should also detail your long-term aspirations as they connect to the goals of this scholarship, a current resume and one faculty recommendation.

  Awards are given during the fall semester of the following year.

  Please address your materials to Assistant Dean Jeff Judge and email them to Kristie Hess (hessk1@msu.edu) by 5 p.m., the first Monday following spring break.
• D.J. Sarafa Scholarship

  Derek J. Sarafa was a proud alumnus of James Madison College and excelled because of his interest in the curriculum, particularly the Federalist Papers, the atmosphere of the residential college environment, and the stewardship and personal attention his professors provided. He earned a B.A. in Political Economy with high honors in 1994 and received many honors and awards, including the MSU Outstanding Senior Award and the 2016 James Madison College Distinguished Alumni Award posthumously.  He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1997.

  Upon graduating law school, Derek served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Gerald Rosen at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He then joined the international law firm of Winston & Strawn, where he practiced, becoming a partner in 2006.

  The Derek J. Sarafa Scholarship is a one-year award of $3,000 and is a non-renewable scholarship available for the following fall semester to third-year JMC students. Applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and in need of financial aid. To apply, simply submit a letter of interest to Assistant Dean Jeffrey Judge detailing your long-term aspirations and a current copy of your resume. Please email applications to Kristie Hess (hessk1@msu.edu) by 5 p.m. on the first Monday following MSU spring break.

• Blaine W. Strimple Endowed Scholarship in International Relations

  The Blaine W. Strimple Endowed Scholarship honors Blaine Strimple, who earned his degree from Michigan State in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in French. 

  While attending college, Strimple was also in the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC). Mr. Strimple traveled the world for the next 20 years as an officer in the United States Air Force. He was an academic instructor for the USAF Officer Training School at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. In addition to speaking and teaching English, French and German, he taught Spanish and Russian.

  After retiring from the military, Strimple traveled and taught extensively. During his travels, he discovered how uninformed Americans were about other people and places. He established this scholarship to promote cultural tolerance and encourage understanding through the study of language, international relations and travel.

  The Blaine W. Strimple Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a JMC student studying international relations with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. This one-year award of $3,500 will be applied to the recipient's account for the following academic year.

  The purpose of the scholarship is to assist a student who has shown, through academic excellence and diverse outside activities, that they are committed to changing impressions and prejudices by focusing people on their common hopes and desires.

  If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please address a letter of interest to Assistant Dean Jeff Judge detailing your long-term aspirations as they connect to the goals of this scholarship and provide a current resume. Additionally, one faculty letter of recommendation is required.

• Michael and Audrey Rubner Scholarship for International Studies

  The Michael and Audrey Rubner Scholarship is awarded to JMC students who have been invited to apply and meet the following criteria: 

  Anticipated graduation date is December, May or August following the semester of application. 

  The Rubner Scholarship is a one-year scholarship for $2,000. 

  Specifically, the scholarship honors Michael Rubner, one of several founding faculty members in James Madison College, and his wife Audrey, an important member of the extended family of James Madison College. Priority for the scholarship will be given to students in International Relations or similar fields of study, with clear interest in the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy-making, or in international security.

  Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest to Assistant Dean Jeff Judge detailing their long-term aspirations as they connect to the goals of this scholarship, a current resume and one faculty recommendation.

  Materials must be emailed to Kristie Hess (hessk1@msu.edu) by 5:00 p.m., the first Monday following MSU spring break.

• Doug Toma Scholarship for Outstanding Roommates and Case Hall Residents

  About the Scholarship

  • Do people gather in your room to hang out?
  • Is your roommate engaged in planning fun and interesting extracurricular activities, for you and others on your floor?
  • Is your roommate a recognized leader on your floor, someone to whom others turn for advice and ideas?
  • Is your roommate actively involved in the extracurricular life of James Madison College, in student organizations and campus activities that enhance the overall experience of College?

   

  Recognize your outstanding roommate for their contributions to your college experience, your floor and the living-learning environment in Case Hall. This $3000 scholarship has been established by friends of JMC alumnus Doug Toma (Socio-Economics '86) to recognize and support those students who best exemplify the "residential college" elements of the Madison experience.

  Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in James Madison College and have lived in Case Hall for the last two semesters to receive this award. Recipients are required to live in Case Hall during the subsequent academic year while the scholarship award is paid. The scholarship will recognize students who are outstanding roommates, active participants in the residential college community of James Madison College and students who add value to the living and learning experience in the residence hall.

   

  How to Apply

  1. Nomination essay of at least a page from a roommate or Residence Assistant describing why this student is a valued roommate, friend and peer.
  2. At least one letter of recommendation from someone other than the nominator (i.e. roommate, RA, floormate, or others familiar with the nominee's extracurricular contributions) documenting the nominee's contribution to their floor, extra-curricular organizations and activities, and the value of those contributions to the academic atmosphere of Case Hall and James Madison College.
  3. Nominee invited to submit resume documenting those same activities.
  4. Preference will be given to roommates assigned through a blind draw prior to their first year in Case Hall, but all roommates regardless of how the pairing took place should apply.

   

  Visit the Doug Toma Scholarship to learn the purpose for establishing this award, and how to nominate your roommate to be the next Outstanding Roommate in Case Hall. Please write professional essays and letters worthy of the college’s commitment to quality writing and the nominee you are supporting. Application materials must be submitted electronically to Katie Dyjach (in the Dean’s Office) at dyjachk@msu.edu.

  For more information, please contact Rocky Beckett (beckettr@msu.edu).

• Sylvia E. Tramm and Constance C. Tramm Hunt Scholarship Fund in James Madison College

  Sylvia Tramm was a lifelong advocate, activist and volunteer in support of public education and the opportunity it promises for all. Created by Peter Tramm, Sylvia's husband, and Professor Constance Hunt Tramm, Sylvia's daughter, the Tramm Scholarship honors the memory of Sylvia Tramm. Constance C. Tramm Hunt's name was added to the scholarship in the fall of 2023 during her final semester teaching prior to her retirement.

  The Sylvia E. Tramm and Constance C. Tramm Hunt Scholarship Fund in James Madison College is awarded to outstanding sophomore students based on financial need and merit. Top first-year students who are not already receiving scholarships are invited by James Madison College's Academic and Student Affairs Office to apply for this scholarship.

  The Tramm Hunt Scholarship is a non-renewable award of $2,000 for each recipient.

  Because the Tramm Hunt Scholarship is available by invitation only, the application form is not posted.

Internship/Education Abroad Scholarships

• James Madison College Education Abroad Scholarships

  The College is accepting applications from James Madison College students for scholarships to support participation in Education Abroad programs in Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. While you need to specify the program for which you're applying, you need not have been formally accepted into the program at the time of the scholarship application.

  Application Deadlines
  Summer & Fall semesters: February 28 (of each year)

  Spring semester: November 15 (of each year)

  To apply:
  Student Application Form | Faculty Recommendation Form

  Students do not need to be enrolled in Education Abroad credit at the time of application, but must be enrolled before receiving the award. Recipients are also expected to complete a Letter of Acknowledgement to the scholarship donor.

  All applicants will automatically be considered for the Smith-Zinman Award, the JMC Alumni Association Awards, the Burton Gerber Award, the Lily Ann Klinger Memorial Award (for SRP students), and the Dean's Awards.

  For more information, please contact Lauren Michalak, michal34@msu.edu, or at 517-898-0742.

• MSU Office for Education Abroad Scholarships

  Financing your education abroad may mean multiple sources of funds including scholarships and fundraising. The Office for Education Abroad has its own scholarships, but be sure to look at other opportunities, especially in your MSU college(s) and also sources outside MSU.

  MSU Office for Education Abroad Scholarships

• James Madison College Field Experience Scholarships

  The College is accepting applications from James Madison College students for scholarships to support participation in Field Experience internships in the Spring semester. While you need to specify the internship(s) for which you're applying, you need not have been formally accepted into an internship at the time of the scholarship application.

  Application Deadlines
  

  Fall semester: May 1 (of each year)

  Spring semester: November 15 (of each year)

  Summer semester: February 28 (of each year)

  
  

  To apply:
  Student Application Form | Faculty Recommendation Form

  Students do not need to be enrolled in Field Experience credit (MC 400 & MC 401) at the time of application, but must be enrolled before receiving the award. Recipients are also expected to complete a Letter of Acknowledgement to the scholarship donor.

  **Please note, these scholarship are limited to students completing the JMC Field Experience through the completion of an internship and enrollment in MC 400. Students may not apply for these scholarship if they are using a substitution (education abroad program, senior honors thesis, etc.) for their Field Experience requirement.

  All applicants will automatically be considered for the JMC Alumni Association Field Experience Scholarships, the Douglas J. Hoekstra Award, the Katherine O’Sullivan See Award, the Lily Ann Klinger Memorial Award (for SRP applicants), and the Dolley Madison Awards. Applicants pursuing internships in the Chicago region will also be considered for the JMCAA Chicago Club Awards.

  For more information, please contact Lauren Michalak at michal34@msu.edu. 

  
  
  
• Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award for internships in public policy
  • Students in ANY major are eligible to receive scholarships in the Gordon and Norma Guyer Endowed Internship Program
  • Students must arrange to be employed in a public policy related internship and enroll for MSU internship credit
  • Scholarships of at least $1,000 will be applicable towards a student's tuition
  • Students receiving a scholarship are expected to participate in activities of the Guyer program including an orientation session before the internship begins and a potential reception following internship completion.
  • Application materials are posted online:
    • Announcement - Guyer Internship Award
    • Application Form - Guyer Internship Award
  • To apply, submit all applications materials (hardcopy or PDF) to JMC Field Experience Coordinator:
    
    • Lauren Michalak, James Madison College, 329B South Case Hall (michal34@msu.edu)
  • Scholarships will be offered for Spring, Summer and Fall semester internships. Please watch for future postings.
• MSU Federal Credit Union Internship Opportunity Award
  Through the generosity of the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and individual donors, the MSU Career Services Network is able to grant stipend awards for undergraduate students participating in unpaid internships located in the United States during all semesters.

  The MSUFCU Internship Opportunity Award program was established to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to accomplish educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek experiential learning opportunities to further progress toward their career.

  Recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate MSU student in good standing
  • Accepted to or actively pursuing a high quality, unpaid, career-related internship focusing on the following areas: non-profit organizations, government, media, the arts, public relations and advertising;
  • Demonstrated financial need (as determined by student essay and the MSU Office of Financial Aid);
  • Open to U.S. based internships, preference will be given to applicants interning at non-profits located in the Lansing area, non-profits in Michigan and Michigan start-up businesses in operation less than two years;
  • Program is not open to students interning with an MSU department, who are interning internationally, who are past Award recipients, or graduate level students.

    Internship Awards

    Awards of up to $1,000 each are available.  The number of awards will be given based on available program funds and demonstrated student interest and need.  Contingent awards are available for students who have not accepted an internship offer by the semester deadline.

    Recipients will be required to express acceptance and appreciation in writing within three (3) weeks of notification of the award, participate in a pre-internship Career Services workshop and post-internship donor event, and help with other program-related activities (details shared after award notifications.)

    Application Checklist

    To be considered for this award, all applicants need to submit an MSUFCU Internship Award Application via Desire 2 Learn, a one (1) page personal essay and a current resume, all to MSU Career Services via their Desire 2 Learn account through the MSUFCU Intern Award Course. 

    All application materials must be uploaded into D2L by the semester deadline

    (see link below for deadline)

    Info at: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/msufcu-internship-opportunity-award/

• Rachel Kahan Memorial Scholarship (DC Study Away Program)

  Rachel P. Kahan Memorial Scholarship Application

  This award honors the memory of Rachel P. Kahan who was a graduate of MSU’s James Madison College and an alumnus of the College of Social Science Spring 2007 Washington, DC Semester Study Program. Also a member of DC Spartans Board, Rachel was very active in giving back to MSU and the DC Study Away program. Rachel passed away in 2012 after an inspiring battle against cancer. Rachel touched the lives of many Spartans and through this scholarship will continue to positively inspire active community participation and leadership.

  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. Recipients can be enrolled in any college at MSU, but must be in good academic standing. Those applicants who have demonstrated the Spartan tradition of community engagement and civic leadership are encouraged to apply.

  Application Procedure

  Applicants must submit the following application materials:

  • A completed Application for the Rachel P. Kahan Memorial Scholarship.
  • A resume of achievements to date.
  • A 2-3 page in response to the following question: How have you demonstrated intellectual curiosity, civic leadership and/or Spartan spirit during your time at Michigan State University and how will Rachel Kahan’s example influence your Washington, DC experience?
  • Two completed Recommendation Forms from a faculty member and/or academic advisor. Our office will send your recommender(s) the link to fill out the recommendation form. Please inform them ahead of time.

  Application Deadline for Fall and early Spring semester applicants is April 1.

• Dr. Charles A. and Marjorie A. Gliozzo Endowed Scholarship for Domestic and International Internships

  Application (see back) [PDF]

  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. Applicants must be MSU undergraduate students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application and accepted into an internship program as described below. Applicants must also be undergraduates at the time of the internship. There may be additional eligibility criteria that students need to meet in order to receive credit.

  The internship in which they participate:

  • Must be credit granting and approved by a MSU college
  • Must be on-site conducting the internship for 4 weeks minimum to one-year maximum
  • May be domestic or international
  • May be in tandem with any MSU study abroad program
  • May be affiliated with the US State Department, other governmental agencies, multinational organizations, or the private sector 

  Financial need is not a factor in awarding this scholarship.
  
  To be considered, submit your application, essay and one letter of academic reference to the MSU Office of Study Abroad. Scholarships for variable amounts ranging from $500 to $1500 will be awarded to recipients.

  If you have questions about the application process or award, contact the MSU Office for Education Abroad, 517-353-8920 or abroad@msu.edu

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (for Pell Grant recipients)

  Apply Online

  The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the regions and countries where they go.

  The Gilman Scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is open to U.S. undergraduate students who demonstrate high financial need. This Scholarship is open to students studying participating in study abroad or international internship programs.

  To be eligible for a Gilman Scholarship, an applicant must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Be an undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
  • Be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of his/her study abroad program or internship;
  • Be in the process of applying to, or accepted for, a study abroad or internship program of at least two weeks for community college students and four weeks for students from four-year institutions, in a single country and eligible for credit from the student's home institution. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;
  • Be proposing to study in a country not currently under a Travel Warning issued by the United States Department of State* or otherwise determined ineligible for program participation.

  Webinars are scheduled to help you with the application process. Please note that these take place in Central Standard Time (CST). To register, please go to the Gilman website.

  View Deadlines and Timelines for more details. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline as late applications will not be accepted.

• Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies - Scholarship for Study Abroad, Internships & Research

  CLACS offers scholarships to support undergraduate experiential learning and grants to fund graduate student research in Latin America and the Caribbean.

  Scholarships here.