Scholarships
College of Social Science undergraduate scholarships
Below is a list of general undergraduate scholarships for Social Science students which may be of interest to sociology majors and minors. More are available on the link above.
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Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences
Who qualifies: Please note: This scholarship will alternate every other year between aiding undergraduate students and graduate students. Beginning AY2024-25, this scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students and alternate with graduate students every other year.
AY2024-2025
For Undergraduate Students: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:
- Students enrolled in the FAME program.
- Students enrolled in the Social Science Scholars program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
- Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
- Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.
AY2025-2026
For Graduate Students: This scholarship is available to graduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:
- Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
- Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.
How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement indicating the applicant’s academic and career goals AND the ways in which the applicant meets the criteria for the Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences.
Deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024
Deadline to apply is September 13, 2024
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Henderson Family Award for the Study of Slavery
Who qualifies: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all majors within MSU College of Social Science.
How much: $2,000 plus up to $10,000 in expenses if the research requires travel to a destination (archive, library, historical site, etc.)
How it can be used: Undergraduate Research
Applications are due March 8, 2024
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Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative
Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative
Who qualifies: Undergraduates with a 2.0 GPA or better.
How much: Up to $2,000
How it can be used: Undergraduate research
Proposals are due October 2, 2024
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Dean's Assistantship
Who qualifies: A Social Science junior or senior.
How much: $5,600-$5,800 stipend, working an average of 10 hours per week
How you will benefit: Opportunity to have an enriched independent research experience in the social sciences with a faculty mentor.
Deadline to apply is February 11, 2024
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Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who have indicated an interest in promoting civility in public discourse, specifically in the space of public policy, will be eligible for this award.
How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition, scholarly research, community outreach and engagement, conference attendance, and/or trainings in the public sector.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement a commitment to promoting civility and dialogue in the space of public policy and governance and how they plan to apply the knowledge, skills, and methods they have learned in their everyday lives to advance the impact of civility outside of the classroom.
Deadline to apply is November 15, 2023
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Ebert Family Leadership Scholarship Fund
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science with financial need who have indicated an interest in a career in non-profit and/or Non-Government Organizations (NGO) will be eligible for this award.
How much: $2,000
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a short essay on the impact of women leadership within the non-profit or NGO sector. Additionally, state how their specific life experience relates to their career goals, aspirations, and how one day they may pay it forward.
Deadline to apply is April 10
Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at guinotam@msu.edu -
Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students engaging in experiential learning (e.g., study away/aboard, internships). Preference will be given to students who are engaged with the Women’s Leadership Institute.
How much: Three (3) awardees, up to $5,000
How you will 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.
Deadline to apply is March 31
Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at guinotam@msu.edu -
Busby Social Science Support Fund
Thanks to a generous gift funded by MSU Social Science alumna, Michelle Busby, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Busby Social Science Support Fund. This gift was established by Ms. Busby to assist students with demonstrated financial need and/or disadvantaged or non-traditional circumstances.
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who are residents of Detroit and who are eligible to participate in federal need-based programs, such as Pell Grant-eligible students. Preference will be given to students pursuing a major or minor in pre-law.
How much: Two (2) awardees, $1,000 each
How it can be used: Tuition
Deadline to apply has been extended to March 22
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Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award
Who qualifies: Any MSU student of any major/year who is participating in a public policy internship.
How much: $1000+ awarded each semester
How it can be used: Tuition
Deadline to apply is TBA
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Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship
Who qualifies: Social Science undergraduate with a minimum of 60 credits.
How much: varied
How it can be used: Research project costs
Deadline to apply is February 11
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Ernest G. and Phyllis C. Green MSU Black Alumni Scholarships
Who qualifies: Social Science entering freshman, freshman, sophomore or junior with a 3.0 GPA or better.
How it can be used: Tuition
Deadline to apply is February 11
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Charles Hayden Kelley Scholarships
Who qualifies: Freshman, sophmore, or junior social science students who may not qualify for financial aid. Preference given to students from single parent households.
How it can be used: Tuition
Deadline to apply is February 11
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George and Alice Goetz Scholarship
Who qualifies: Social Science major who is an active duty service member or Veteran of the US Armed Forces.
How it can be used: Tuition
About the Scholarship: The values of the "Greatest Generation"; hard work, dedication to learning, prudent management, love of family and country, and responsibility to service were exemplified by George A and Alice E Goetz, members of this storied group and in whose name his scholarship has been established.
Deadline to apply is March 8
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Cynthia H. Fates Endowment in Social Science
Who qualifies: Any student majoring in Social Science.
How it can be used: Any experience-based learning program cost.
Deadline to apply is February 11
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Henderson Experiential Learning Award
Who qualifies: Students majoring in Social Science who will undertake experiential learning (study abroad, study away, or internship) in summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025. Preference is given to Veterans of the US Armed Forces.
How it can be used: Experiential learning opportunities to students which include, but are not limited to, civic engagement and service learning, undergraduate research, study abroad and internships.
Deadline to apply is February 11
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Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship
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.