This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Political Science majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.
We currently list 9 active scholarships tied to Political Science programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.
The scholarships currently listed total approximately $85,000 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.
Early-career median pay for Political Science graduates is about $80,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.
That means first-year earnings are roughly 74% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.4 years (before taxes and living expenses).
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 Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides need-based financial support to students who are actively engaged in progressive movements focused on social justice, economic equality, and community-based change. This scholarship is designed for students who are not only pursuing higher education but
Award: $15,000 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) is one of the most prestigious national programs supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to become scholars, researchers, and college professors in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Established by The Andrew W.
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: High (103 min)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. Application 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. Application Time: Med (48 min)The APSA Public Scholarship Program, administered through the American Political Science Association’s Centennial Center, is a competitive, year-long fellowship designed to help doctoral students in political science translate academic research into clear, accessible public-facing content. This fully remote, 12-month program
Award: $2,000 Deadline: September Est. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Application 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. Graduates often work as policymakers, analysts, advocates, campaign strategists, diplomats, researchers, and attorneys. Because political science connects directly to public-impact careers, many universities, nonprofits, government-linked programs, and foundations offer scholarships, grants, and fellowships for political science majors and related fields such as public administration, global affairs, and international relations.
CollegeWhale Tip: The fastest way to stand out is to prove sustained civic impact. Replace “I volunteered” with outcomes like “registered 300 voters,” “authored a policy memo adopted by a student government committee,” or “organized 8 meetings between residents and city officials.”
Yes. Political science students have access to a wide range of funding opportunities offered by universities, civic organizations, policy institutes, and fellowship programs. Awards commonly consider:
Use this table as a “what should I apply for first?” shortcut. Then scroll for details on major programs and how to strengthen your applications.
| Your Goal | Best-Fit Scholarships / Fellowships | What They Usually Emphasize |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate school funding for public service leadership | Harry S. Truman Scholarship, Rangel International Affairs Program, Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, public policy school fellowships | Leadership, credible public service plan, strong recommendations |
| Diplomacy / international affairs career | Pickering Fellowship, Rangel Program, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Boren Awards, Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) | International focus, language or region interest, service commitment (where applicable) |
| Undergrads building a public policy resume | University political science scholarships, departmental research grants, honors college funding, APSA student support programs | Academic strength, research potential, campus/community involvement |
| Pre-law + policy adjacent funding | Bar association pre-law scholarships, legal diversity scholarships, policy institute awards, university pre-law funding | Writing ability, leadership, community impact, clear public-interest narrative |
| High school seniors interested in civics | JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest, VFW Voice of Democracy, local civic club scholarships | Strong writing, civic awareness, leadership/service record |
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards for students pursuing careers in public service. It is primarily aimed at college juniors preparing for leadership roles in government, public policy, or international affairs.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship supports students preparing for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is another highly competitive option for students aiming at diplomatic careers.
If your political science concentration leans international, these programs are often a strong fit:
Many programs prioritize expanding representation in government, policy, and public leadership. Examples include:
Women pursuing political science, policy, and leadership roles can find targeted support through programs such as:
Political science students pursuing graduate study in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or political science often have additional funding options, including:
Many universities offer internal scholarships and project funding for political science majors through:
CollegeWhale Tip: Department awards are often nomination-based. If you want to win them, meet with faculty early, ask about internal deadlines, and share a one-page “impact summary” of your research and service work.
Political science funding often favors students who combine strong writing with real-world civic or policy experience. Typical application components include:
Fact: Political science scholarships also support students pursuing careers in:
If your work centers on public impact and leadership, there are scholarships designed to support that direction.
Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols
Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.