Scholarships & Awards
The Department of Political Science has several academic scholarships and awards for our undergraduate and graduate students.
How do I apply?
The call for applications are typically at the beginning of spring semester. For academic year 2024-2025, applications for all scholarships will be due March 2, 2025.
Although scholarship applications are due in spring semesters, you must be enrolled in classes in the following fall semester to be eligible. Scholarship recipients receive funding through their financial aid. While graduating seniors are no longer eligible for scholarships, they are eligible for departmental awards, listed at the bottom of this page.
In spring semesters, after scholarships are posted, students can apply during through the . Although this page lists the opportunities in the department, once logged in with your Bronco ID and password, you can search the Bronco Scholarship Portal. Below each scholarshipm, you can also find unique links that will take you directly to each scholarship.
Department Scholarships
The Sean Yu Student Leadership Scholarship
in honor of Professor David Speak ($1,000)
The Sean Yu Student Leadership Scholarship was awarded annually to a student in the Political Science major who provided leadership to student organizations during their time at Cal Poly Pomona. Of particular salience was activity in the Political Science Club, the Model UN, the Mock Trial and ASI.
Selection Criteria
- Must be a Political Science major
- Must be enrolled in classes for full-time in Fall 2025 (this will be confirmed before scholarship funds)
- Must demonstrate their participation in student organizations on campus
- International students may apply
- Submit a resume that includes list of relevant leadership experience in addition to the general application essay
- Preference will be given to students who were not given a department scholarship in previous years
Previous Sean Yu Leadership Scholarship Recipients
2015 - Travis Barrett
2016 - Tara Kwan
2017 - Maxwell Iskiev
2018 - Athenamarie Garcia-Gunn
2019 - Alexandra Porges
2020 - Jared Hasen-Klein & Natalie Kassar
2021 - Danna Batarni & Derek Sweem
John H. Esterline Scholarship in Political Science ($1,000)
The Esterline Scholarship is given in tribute to former Department Chair and faculty member Dr. John Esterline. After a distinguished career in diplomacy for the United States, Dr. Esterline served in the department until his death in 1996. The scholarship is awarded from an endowment fund at Cal Poly Pomona established through the generous contributions of the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor John H. Esterline.
Selection Criteria
- Must be a Political Science major
- Must be enrolled in classes for Fall 2022
- Must have a GPA greater than or equal to 3.2
- Must demonstrate interest in international affairs in the general application essay
- International students may apply
- Preference will be given to students who were not given a department scholarship in previous years
Previous John H. Esterline Scholarship Recipients
2015 - Melissa Petersen
2016 - Steven Zhang
2017 - Daniel Raad
2018 - Daniel Raad
2019 - Zachary Wardlow
2020 - Alex Carcamo & Yesennia Sandoval
2021 - Raisa Majid & Avery Ulinskas
2022 - Martha Juarez Martinez & Cole McMillin
2023 - Emily Phan & Nathalie Vasquez
2024 - Aakriti Adhikari, Cole McMillin, & Stephanie Paredes
John A. Mortberg Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)
The John A. Mortberg Endowed Scholarship in Political Science will be awarded to graduate students in the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program. The scholarship is intended to support promising MPA students who are pursuing a career in public service.
Selection Criteria
- Must be currently enrolled in the MPA Program
- Must be enrolled in classes for Fall 2025
- Must demonstrate interest and commitment to a career in public service in their personal statement
- Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need