Scholarships and Fellowships
Apply for Scholarships and Fellowships
There are more than 100 scholarships and fellowships open to you, including several specific to political science and the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS).
In addition, each year we have department awards and fellowships that pertain to various accomplishments, including academic performance, community service, and plans to study law. For more information, please see the information below or contact your academic advisor.
Scholarships Awarded in Spring Quarter
Jenkin Outstanding Paper Award $500
Cash prize awarded to an exceptional paper submitted to an upper-division political science course. Open to political science majors only. Faculty may nominate papers and students may submit “A” papers for consideration.
How to apply:
- Describe your outstanding contribution and explain why you feel you should be awarded this distinction
- One-page maximum
- During spring quarter, keep an eye out for department advisors to send you more details about how (and when) to apply
Ernest Lopez Memorial Award $500
Cash prize to an outstanding student in their final quarter at UCR who has been accepted by an accredited law school. There is no race or ethnicity requirement. There is, however, a restriction that the award shall be made only to students who are disadvantaged by social or economic hardship. Award is campus wide and not restricted to any particular major.
How to apply:
- Submit a one-page maximum essay describing what you plan to do with your law degree
- Include a copy of your law school acceptance letter/email
- Include your LSAT score
- Include the name of the law school you will attend
- During spring quarter, keep an eye out for department advisors to send you more details about how (and when) to apply
Scholarships Awarded in Winter Quarter
Political Science Department Outstanding Student Award $500
This award is for seniors only. The award is based on scholastic achievement, minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. You must exemplify exceptional department or campus leadership and community service.
How to apply:
- Describe your outstanding contribution and explain why you feel you should be awarded this distinction
- One-page maximum
- During winter quarter, keep an eye out for department advisors to send you more details about how (and when) to apply
“Pay It Forward” First Generation Student Award, Up to $1500
This is for juniors only. This fund will provide financial support for an undergraduate junior who is studying political science. You must be the first in your family to pursue a university-level education. Dr. Ronald J. Schmidt established the "Pay It Forward" First Generation University Student Award in 2007.
How to apply:
- Provide a one-page essay that describes the challenges of being the first in your family to attend college.
- During winter quarter, keep an eye out for department advisors to send you more details about how (and when) to apply
Florian Award $1500 - $2500
The California Homebuilding Foundation/Monica Florian Endowment provides a scholarship opportunity for students majoring in political science at UC Riverside. Scholarship may be awarded to one student or split between two students.
- Open to all undergraduate students pursuing a political science degree
- Overall GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Must demonstrate a need for financial assistance
- Must intend to pursue a career in the California homebuilding industry such as:
- City planner or city planning commission
- City, state, or county land development/land use department
- California Department of Housing and Community Development
- Construction industry: architects, designers, builders, developers
How to apply:
- Submit an essay on how your future career affects the California Homebuilding Industry
- Most importantly, please include a few paragraphs (no fewer than 300 words) on how this scholarship will help you meet your educational goals
- During winter quarter, keep an eye out for department advisors to send you more details about how (and when) to apply
The Loveridge Summer Fellowship Program
The Ronald O. Loveridge Sacramento Summer Fellowship Program was established in 2015. Through 2019, 56 UCR students have participated—five in 2015, seven in 2016, nine in 2017, 11 in 2018, and 14 in 2019. The program allows for UCR's rising seniors and recent graduates to spend 10 weeks of the summer working in public service in Sacramento and experiencing the inner workings of California's state government.
Students get details about how and when to apply during winter quarter. After they apply, they are selected by the Department’s Undergraduate Committee. Most fellows are political science majors, but several also come from the public policy major. Fellows currently receive stipend of $3,000 and work full time for 10 weeks (from the final week in June to the last week in August) after being placed in important offices in Sacramento. The program works to connect students with alumni and other mentors throughout their stay in Sacramento by hosting weekly seminars and workshops, and fellows even have their own business cards. Before going to Sacramento there is an evening briefing and at the end of the program all fellows complete a five-page memo on what they learned.
This program represents a signature statement by the department, and by UCR. There is no other UC summer program in Sacramento that offers stipends and places students in top political offices. Most UCR students look to Washington. The Loveridge Fellowship Program recruits the “best and brightest” to go to Sacramento.
In 2019, there were 14 fellows (listed here with their placements):
- Ayesha Abbasi—Community College League of CA
- Mariam Al-Khalili—Strategic Growth Council
- David Angel—Secretary of State
- Therresa Austin—State Senator Roth
- Kyla Foreman—Speaker of Assembly
- Joanna Mai—CA Lung Association
- Andrea Mares—CA State Association of Counties
- Alma Ramos—CA Parks
- Andreas Rauch—Lt. Governor
- Natalia Garcia—Assembly Member Reyes
- Isis Orellana—Governor
- Leslie Sanchez—CA Association of Sanitation Agencies
- Melissa Sagun—Assembly Member Medina
- Michael Seley—League of CA Cities
Questions?
If you have questions about any of the above scholarships or programs, please contact your academic advisor for more information.