Scholarship Opportunities

Happy PSU student

Scholarships not only help you out financially, but also allow you to showcase your hard work and dedication on your resume and future application materials. Moreover, the process of applying for a scholarship will help you work on your writing, networking, and organizational skills. The more scholarships you apply to, the more chances you have of receiving one! So don't wait, research available scholarships, prepare your application materials early, and apply! 

We've compiled a list of some of the most popular PSU scholarships our students have applied to below. Click here to go to the PSU Scholarships and PSU Fellowships websites for the complete database of opportunities available through PSU. 


Oregon Consular Corps International Studies Scholarship

Each year, the Oregon Consular Corps awards $3000 to two PSU undergraduate students majoring in International & Global Studies or Political Science with an interest in international affairs. 

Consul members of the Oregon Consular Corps (OCC) are committed to improved relations, communications, understanding, and trade between nations, peoples, and regions of the world. Oregon public universities are poorly funded and fewer young people in Oregon have the opportunity to pursue their educational and career dreams. Oregon Consular Corps members remember their own educational dreams and objectives and want more students in Oregon to have the opportunity to build a better world and better lives for themselves and for others.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be US citizen, or legal resident, or international student on student visa
  • Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours INTL or PS coursework focused on international issues
  • Declared Political Science or International & Global Studies major as of Fall 2024
  • Junior class standing or above (90+ credits) in good academic standing
  • Maintain full-time status (12 credits per term) during the 2024-2025 academic year (fall, winter, and spring)
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00
  • Must demonstrate or possess a second language proficiency, equivalent to that attained at the end of the second year of studies
  • Note: past recipients of the scholarship are not eligible to apply again

What You Need to Apply:

  • Download and fill out the OCC application form
  • A current resume/CV
  • A copy of your unofficial PSU transcript
  • Two letters of reference: At least one letter should be from a PSU faculty member or advisor with specific knowledge of your international study, international-related work experience, volunteer experience, or school work. Please ask for your reference letters to be emailed directly to us at pga@pdx.edu by the October 25 deadline.

Application form, resume/CV, and unofficial PSU transcript must be emailed to pga@pdx.edu by the deadline below. Please send all three attachments in one email. 

2024-25 Application Deadline is October 25, 2024
Finalists will be invited for an interview in early December.
Award recipients will be announced mid-December.
Scholarships will be awarded for Winter term.

 

David L. Boren Scholarship

Funds study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

 

Critical Language Scholarships (CLS)

The CLS Program is a U.S. government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply.

 

CUPA Memorial Scholarship

Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • This award is given annually to outstanding students in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. 

 

Ione E. Curtis Scholarship 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate student studying Political Science.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application

 

John Damis Middle East Studies Scholarship

Purpose: For International Studies and Political Science Majors
Amount: up to $1000
Criteria for Selection:

  • Undergraduate or graduate student at Portland State University
  • International Studies or Political Science major with Middle East focus
  • Overall grade point average of 3.00  

 

Elizabeth Ducey Scholarship

Purpose: Available to help finance study abroad.
Amount: Up to $500; average award of $200
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Applications accepted from any student intending to study for a specialty in Middle East Studies.
  • Students must be enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a Middle Eastern language.
  • Applicants must be enrolled full-time or accepted for full-time enrollment at Portland State University as degree-seeking students.

 

Nick Fish Memorial Fund for Leadership Endowment 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students in the Hatfield School of Government.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application

 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

There are two types of Fulbright grants: Open Study/Research Award, which funds one academic year of overseas study and/or research in one country; English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), which funds one academic year of teaching English in one country.

 

Gov. Barbara Roberts Leadership in Oregon Endowed Scholarship 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to students with the College of Urban and Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Preference will be given to a student enrolled in the Hatfield School of Government
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Preference will be given to undergraduate students at the sophomore, junior or senior level
  • Preference will be given to students who will add diversity to careers in public service

 

Marko Haggard Quasi-Endowed Scholarship

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students studying Political Science.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Limited to students who have resided in Oregon for at least 5 years 
  • Preference for student in the PSU Legislative Internship Program
  • Preference for students seeking a career in public service

 

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.

 

Institute for Asian Studies Scholarship

Purpose: The Institute for Asian Studies Student Scholarship is a competitive award of up to $1000 for one or two qualified, full-time, degree seeking, PSU students, who are pursuing an academic program at Portland State, or abroad, with a focus on Asia and/or Asian language studies.
Amount: Up to $1000
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be  full-time enrolled or accepted for full-time enrollment at Portland State University, as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Be pursuing an academic program at PSU, or abroad, with a focus on Asia and/or Asian language studies. 

 

Ellie & Nayla Kassab Scholarship for Arabic Studies

Purpose: This renewable scholarship is open to all full-time PSU students who have formally studied Arabic for at least two years; had an outstanding performance in previous Arabic studies; have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher; and a commitment to successfully complete the Minor in Arabic, or the Major in Arabic Language & Literature at PSU, and/or Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Open to PSU students who have formally studied Arabic for at least two years.
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher.
  • Commitment to successfully complete the Minor in Arabic, or the Major in Arabic Language & Literature at PSU, and/or Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.
  • To qualify for this scholarship MESC Students must take Ar 301-2-3 or Ar 304-5-6 or higher level Arabic classes).
  • Academic excellence and financial need are a major consideration. 

 

Vera Katz Endowed Scholarship

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to graduate students in the College of Urban & Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Must be a full-time student in the College of Urban and Public Affairs.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to public service.
  • Is the primary caregiver of a dependent child living at home.

 

Patricia and Gary Leiser Middle East Scholarship

Purpose: For study of Middle East languages
Amount: Up to $1000
Criteria for Selection:

  • Undergraduate student at Portland State University
  • Enrollment in Arabic, Turkish, or Persian language class at PSU during the year for which the scholarship is granted
  • Overall grade point average of 3.25
  • U.S. citizen
  • Demonstrated interest in the Middle East through coursework related to the region, although enrollment in a Middle East Studies degree program is not required.

 

Matching Fulbright Grants

Fulbright scholars who are admitted and enroll in Portland State University degree programs will receive a matching grant of up to $4,500 per year. This renewable matching scholarship is available to all Fulbright Scholars who begin a degree program at Portland State University. The grant will match up to $4,500 of Fulbright sponsorship during each academic year in which admitted Fulbright scholars are enrolled in a Portland State degree program.

 

Aspen Mitzvah Fund Scholarship

Purpose: The Department of World Languages & Literatures offers renewable scholarships to students enrolling in and completing second- and third-year modern Hebrew sequences. The award will be used to meet tuition costs and related educational expenses at Portland State University.
Amount: Up to $1000
Apply through PSU Scholarship Page
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Preference will be given to students in the more advanced (300-level) sequence, and to students in Judaic Studies. 
  • Full-time PSU students and high school students may apply. 
  • Academic performance and financial need are also major considerations.

 

Frank and Nadezda Munk Political Science Undergraduate Scholarship

Purpose: Annual scholarship available to senior-level undergraduate students in political science and international studies.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Open to senior-level undergraduate students
  • Demonstrate a high promise of achievement in international affairs

 

Linda Nettekoven Public Involvement Scholarship

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student in the College of Urban and Public Affairs with an interest in Public Involvement.
Apply Through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Applicants must be first generation students
  • Students must be enrolled enrolled in an undergraduate degree program within the College of Urban and Public Affairs.
  • They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Be entering their junior or senior year.
  • Demonstrate financial need and seek a career in public service.
  • Preference will be given to single parents.

 

Katrina Pongracz-Bartha Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to an upper-division undergraduate students in Political Science who have demonstrated interest and advocacy for women's issues. 
Apply Through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Students must be enrolled enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Political Science.
  • Be entering their junior or senior year.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Demonstrate interest in and advocacy for women's issues.
  • Preference will be given to applicants with job or family responsibilities.

 

Frank L. Roberts Community Service Endowed Scholarship 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to a incoming graduate students in the College of Urban & Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Open to graduate students at in the College of Urban & Public Affairs
  • Must have an excellent undergraduate portfolio.
  • Must be enrolled in and successfully complete 6 or more graduate credits that will count towards their degree each term of the award
  • Current year's FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form must be completed
  • Commitment to public or community service 

 

State Treasurer Urban Pioneer Award

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate students in the College of Urban & Public Affairs with an interest in a career in public service.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • To qualify you must be a US citizen or resident alien.
  • 1st generation student or a student returning to school at a later point in their life
  • Must demonstrate high financial need.
  • Must have submitted the FASFA form to financial aid.
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Must have achieved sophomore standing for Undergraduates.

 

Monroe M. Sweetland Endowed Community Leadership Scholarship 

Purpose: The Monroe M. Sweetland Endowed Community Leadership Scholarship will be awarded to an admitted graduate student in the School of Education, the School of Social Work, or the College of Urban and Public Affairs. Requires 6 or more credits graduate registration per term toward the program requirements and successful completion each term. Award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. 
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application

 

UPA General Endowed Scholarship

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate students in the College of Urban & Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Must be a student in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. 

 

UPA Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate students in the College of Urban & Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application
Criteria for Selection: 

  • Must be a student in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. 

 

Phyllis Weiner Endowed Scholarship 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students studying Political Science.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application

 

Helen and Sam Wilderman Scholarship 

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate student studying Political Science.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application

 

Yaden Family Endowed Scholarship Fund

Purpose: This scholarship is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in the College of Urban and Public Affairs.
Apply through PSU Scholarship Application 
Criteria for Selection: 

  • They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Demonstrate financial need.