This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Political Science majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 17 Political Science scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Political Science. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $69,000. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Political Science scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Political Science degree commonly see early-career median pay around $80,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Political Science ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 74% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 1.4 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Political Science scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute Civil War Essay Prize is an annual writing contest encouraging students to engage deeply with the history, causes, legacy, and continuing impact of the American Civil War. This competition invites high school and college students to
Award: Varies Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The Truman Scholarship supports college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and are committed to a career in public service. Created by Congress in 1975 in honor of President Harry S. Truman, the award is the U.S. federal memorial to
Award: $30,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
The APSA Public Scholarship Program is a remote, 12-month fellowship that trains political science graduate students to present academic research to the public. Fellows produce accessible summaries of new political science research under APSA staff supervision, with work featured on
Award: $2,000 Deadline: September Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The NSHSS Activism and Advocacy Scholarship is awarded by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) to honor students demonstrating outstanding leadership in social, political, or civil advocacy. This scholarship is available to NSHSS members graduating high school. Eligibility
Award: $1,000 Deadline: September Est. Time: High (~128 min)
Name: National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) Essay Student Scholarship Contest Award Amount: Scholarship recipients receive an...
Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~63 min)
The Washington Media Scholars Foundation provides over $30,000 in college scholarships to twenty students each year. The scholarships are awarded to dedicated undergraduate students, who are pursuing a career related to the public policy advertising industry. This opportunity is open
Award: $2,000 Deadline: July Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Jerry Clark Memorial Scholarships offer a $5,000 award annually to two students who are majoring in social science fields. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing degrees in areas such as political science, sociology, ethnic studies, communications, and other
Award: $5,000 Deadline: May Est. Time: Med (~78 min)This comprehensive collection of Political Science scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Political Science scholarship opportunities.
Political science majors study governments, public policy, diplomacy, political theory, and international affairs. These students often become policymakers, advocates, diplomats, analysts, campaign strategists, lawyers, or researchers. Because political science connects to high-impact careers in public service, many universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and foundations offer scholarships, grants, and fellowships for students majoring in political science or related disciplines such as public administration, global affairs, and international relations.
This guide outlines some of the most valuable scholarship opportunities for political science majors — including awards for minorities, women, graduate students, future lawyers, and students pursuing government or nonprofit careers.
Yes, there are many scholarships and grants available for students pursuing degrees in political science. These awards are provided by universities, government organizations, professional associations, and private foundations to support students interested in careers in public policy, government, international relations, and related fields.
Political science scholarships may be based on:
These awards help political science students reduce educational costs while building professional experience in policy, advocacy, and global affairs.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards for political science and public service majors. It targets college juniors preparing for careers in government, public administration, public policy, or international affairs.
Typical eligibility requirements include:
What the Truman Scholarship provides:
This scholarship significantly boosts a student’s competitiveness for top graduate programs and future roles in government or nonprofit leadership.
The American Political Science Association (APSA) offers multiple funding opportunities for students and early-career scholars.
APSA scholarships and related support may include:
These awards are ideal for students committed to advancing the study of political science through research, teaching, or public service.
Many scholarships are specifically designed to support underrepresented students in political science, public policy, and government-related fields. These programs seek to diversify leadership in public service and policymaking.
Examples of scholarships and fellowships for minority students include:
These programs help increase representation and ensure more diverse voices in policy and government leadership.
Yes, several scholarships specifically support women pursuing degrees and careers in political science, public policy, or government leadership.
Examples include:
These scholarships promote gender diversity and help more women access leadership roles in politics and public service.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship supports students preparing for diplomatic careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Eligibility requirements typically include:
Core benefits:
This fellowship is ideal for students focused on diplomacy, international relations, and global public service.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is another elite opportunity for students aiming to work in U.S. diplomacy and international service.
Typical eligibility requirements include:
Program benefits may include:
Rangel is a powerful pathway for students committed to international affairs, development, and diplomatic service.
Students concentrating in international relations, comparative politics, or global security can access specialized awards that complement political science scholarships.
Notable examples include:
These programs are especially valuable for political science majors with global and diplomatic career goals.
Yes. High school seniors planning to major in political science or related fields can apply for several early scholarship opportunities.
Examples include:
These awards help students begin building their credentials in public service even before college.
Graduate students in political science, public policy, public administration, or international affairs can access additional funding opportunities beyond undergraduate-level awards.
Common examples include:
These opportunities help graduate students build research portfolios and professional experience while minimizing debt.
Many political science majors move into law school or government careers. Several scholarships target students on these paths.
Examples include:
These scholarships are ideal for political science majors who plan to pursue law school and work in government, advocacy, or public interest fields.
Several companies and corporate foundations recognize that strong public policy, government relations, and leadership skills are valuable in the workplace. As a result, they sponsor scholarships for students studying political science, public administration, or global affairs.
Examples include:
These awards can provide both financial aid and valuable professional experience.
Many universities offer department-based scholarships for political science students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, or research potential.
Examples of common university-based support include:
Students should contact their university’s political science or public policy department, as well as the financial aid office, to learn about campus-specific opportunities.
Students conducting research in areas such as voting behavior, international conflict, public opinion, or policy evaluation can benefit from dedicated research funding.
Common sources of support include:
Research experience is a major advantage for students considering graduate school, policy analysis roles, or academic careers.
To apply for scholarships and grants in political science, students should be prepared to show both academic excellence and a genuine commitment to public service.
Typical application components include:
Applying early, staying organized with deadlines, and tailoring each application to the scholarship’s mission will significantly increase your chances of success.
Fact: While many scholarships do focus on public service and government careers, political science scholarships are also available for students interested in:
Whether you want to become a diplomat, policy analyst, attorney, community organizer, or researcher, there are political science scholarships designed to support your path.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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