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UC Riverside

School of Public Policy

SPP Student Affairs

SPP Scholarships

2023-2024 School of Public Policy Scholarships Application

The School of Public Policy (SPP) is now accepting applications for the following scholarships. Applicants must be current SPP students in the MPP, BA/MPP or Undergraduate Program. The Scholarship Review Committee will consider applicants’ demonstration of scholarship, academic promise, merit, and in some cases, financial need for all awards. Students may apply for up to three scholarships, but only one will be awarded per student. Additional selection criteria (if applicable) are listed below.

The UCR School of Public Policy plans to host an SPP Celebration of Scholars to recognize the scholarship award recipients and to celebrate their accomplishments. For the 2023-24 academic year, the SPP Celebration of Scholars will take place in Spring 2024 on the UCR campus. If you are selected as one of the recipients of the scholarship funds listed in this application, you will be contacted to attend the celebration. In addition, you may be asked to give a brief presentation about yourself, your academic focus, and/or relevant projects you may be involved in.

For any questions concerning the scholarships, or the application process please email sppscholarships@ucr.edu. 

The minimum cumulative GPA to be eligible for these awards is a 3.0 (or dependent on the scholarship requirements), as of Spring 2023. Applicants should describe their commitment to academic excellence in public policy, while highlighting specific barriers they may have encountered and overcome. Essays should be 1-2 pages double-spaced in APA format and submitted as a PDF. Additional documents may apply depending on the scholarship, as outlined.

Scholarship applications are due online by Wednesday, January 10, 2024

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NUMEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS AND APPLY NOW

List of Available Scholarships:

  • SPP Scholarship Fund
    • 3 awards of $1000 each
    • Open to all SPP Students

    The SPP Scholarship will be awarded annually by the Dean of the School of Public Policy to outstanding graduate and/or undergraduate students who have maintained an upper division GPA or 3.5 or higher. Students must be Public Policy majors (not minor) and must have taken PBPL 001.

  • SPP Experiential Learning Scholarship Fund
    • 2 awards of $1000 each
    • Open to SPP Undergraduate Students

    SPP students participating in the UCDC program or similar experiential learning experience are eligible to apply for this award. The purpose of the award is to encourage more SPP students to participate in the UCDC or similar programs and to help alleviate any financial burden that may arise as a result of participating in the program. Students need to show that they have been accepted into the UCDC or similar program and for which term. Please write a brief essay about how the UCDC or similar program experience might fit into your academic or professional development and how you plan to utilize the SPP Award if you were to be selected.

  • Western Municipal Water District Charles D. Field Endowed Scholarship
    • 2 awards of $1000 each
    • Open to 3rd & 4th Year Undergraduates & MPP Students

    The Western Municipal Water District Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually by the Dean of the School of Public Policy to undergraduate students with junior or senior standing who have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher with an interest in water issues. Student must be studying in a water-related field and/or an area of study that will lead to a water-related profession (i.e. public policy, communications, sustainability studies, environmental engineering, etc.). It is the donor's preference that the students have an interest in pursuing public service.

  • Anil & Gauri Garde Scholarship Fund
    • 3 awards of $1000 each
    • Open to all SPP Students

    Established by Dr. Anil Garde and Mrs. Gauri Garde, this Fund supports SPP students who experience financial hardship while striving to attain educational success. Please briefly describe the nature of your financial hardship and how this scholarship will help you achieve your academic goals.

  • Bob Stockton Scholarship Fund in Environmental Policy
    • 2 awards of $1000 each
    • Open to all SPP Students

    Established by family and friends of the late Bob Stockton, this Fund provides financial support to SPP students who are dedicated to the pursuit of academic research in the area of environmental policy. Please briefly describe how you came to be interested in environmental issues and how this scholarship will help you further your academic pursuit in environmental policy.

  • Michael P. Huerta Graduate Scholarship Endowed Fund
    • 2 awards of $1500 each
    • Open to 1st Year MPP Students

    This Fund will support first year graduate students in the School of Public Policy who demonstrate financial need and commitment to complete their Masters in Public Policy at UC Riverside. Preference will be given to students who express interest in pursuing a career in public service. In your essay, please include your goals and interest in pursuing a career in public policy and how you plan to utilize this award if you were to be selected.

  • Robert Heath Public Policy Scholarship Fund
    • 1 award of $1000
    • Open to SPP Undergraduate Students

    This Fund will support School of Public Policy undergraduate students. Preference will be given to students who have expressed interest in pursuing a career in international affairs or foreign policy upon completion of their degrees at UCR.

  • Michael J. Sullivan Graduate Scholarship Endowed Fund
    • 1 award of $1500
    • Open to SPP MPP Students

    This Fund will support School of Public Policy graduate students who demonstrate financial need and commitment to complete their Masters in Public Policy at UC Riverside.

  • Thy B. Bui Scholarship for UCDC Fund
    • 2 awards of $1500 each
    • Open to Undergraduate Students

    This scholarship will support undergraduate students participating in the UCDC program who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students who hold one or more jobs while attending UCR, and who may have to temporarily lose that income in order to participate in UCDC.

  • Anil and Pama Deolalikar Scholarship Award
    • 1 award of $1000
    • Open to all SPP Students

    This scholarship will provide financial support to undergraduate, BA/MPP, or MPP students in the School of Public Policy who are experiencing financial hardship.

  • Mal and Greg Wilkinson Student Scholarship Fund
    • 1 award of $1000
    • Open to all SPP Students

    This scholarship will provide financial support to undergraduate, BA/MPP, or MPP students in the School of Public Policy who are experiencing financial hardship.