Scholarships

Karthika Sasikumar, Professor

Karthika Sasikumar, Political Science Scholarship Committee (Chair)

The Political Science Department is fortunate to be able to award more than 10 scholarships to our students each year–this is an extraordinary level of support that surpasses what any other department on campus can offer. The scholarships were created by generous benefactors–often former faculty, students, and friends of the department–who desired to ease the financial burden on our students as they seek to earn their degrees in Political Science. The department encourages all of our students to apply for one or more of these awards. Note that these are department awards, and are separate from grants and aid that may come from the college, state, or federal levels. (Students should always explore their financial aids options with SJSU’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office as well.) Some of our scholarships are reserved for those students with financial need, others are available for any student majoring in Political Science. Sometimes students assume that they are not eligible for our awards because they do not qualify for financial aid. Others assume that they are not eligible because they are already receiving financial aid. Both assumptions are probably false, since nearly all of our students will be eligible for one or another of the department’s many awards. The different scholarships support different purposes, have different requirements, and some even have different application deadlines. We encourage you to read the individual scholarship descriptions to learn about their purposes and their different requirements and how to apply. The awards are competitive, but depending on the scholarship the committee considers a wide range of factors in each student application.

2024 Political Science Scholarship Application Form

Alumni Scholarship

$3,000 to $4,500 awarded annually
The Alumni Scholarship is funded by generous donations from our graduates and is available to all Political Science majors. Applicants for the Alumni Scholarship must be full-time Political Science majors taking a minimum of 12 units.

Burton R. Brazil Scholarship

$2,000 to $3,500 awarded annually
The Burton R. Brazil scholarship is funded by an endowment created by the family, friends and colleagues of Burt Brazil, a respected professor of political science who specialized in political theory and public administration and who served as Executive Vice President for SJSU. Applicants must be full-time students, either graduate or undergraduate, majoring in political science or public administration, with a strong academic record and a commitment to a career in public service or teaching.

Charles Kunsman Scholarship

$1,000 to $1,500 awarded in even-numbered years
The Charles Kunsman Scholarship was created by former students of this popular professor with the support of his colleagues and family. Professor Kunsman is fondly recalled for his personal warmth, humor and love of teaching comparative politics, given color by anecdotes from his extensive travels. Applicants must be full time undergraduate political science majors with a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Douglas McIntyre Award

$1,250 to $1,750 awarded annually
The Douglas McIntyre Award was established by the family of this life-long public servant and is open to all Political Science majors who are taking 12 units or more at SJSU. Recipients are chosen from among those applicants with demonstrable financial need.

Horace Knapp Jr. Memorial Scholarship

$1,500 awarded annually
The Horace Knapp, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for a graduate student will be awarded annually. The terms of the scholarship are: a. Students must have taken at least 6 units in the MPA program, and have obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher in those courses. b. The quality of an essay describing the applicant’s career goal of city government service and the motivation for this aspiration.The Scholarship Committee will notify the applicant with the winning essay of the scholarship award, and shall notify the SJSU Foundation of the name of the successful applicant. Funds will be disbursed to pay for $1,500 of that student’s next semester’s tuition.

IPACE Scholarship

$2,000 awarded annually
The Institute of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE) was established in 2012 by SJSU Political Science Emeritus Professor Terry Christensen. With generous financial contributions from SJSU alumni, community leaders, and civic organizations, the IPACE Scholarship supports political science student interns working in local and state government offices, community outreach positions, and nonprofit organizations. Students with a strong commitment to civic engagement and public service and who are currently enrolled in the POLS 181 Internships course/in a political science-related internship are encouraged to apply.

John Gilbert Scholarship for International Studies

$1,000 to $7,000 awarded annually
The John Gilbert Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of a fund set up by the family and friends of John Gilbert. The John Gilbert Scholarship is exclusively for students who participate in an SJSU-approved study abroad program. Applicants for the John Gilbert Scholarship for International Studies must be Political Science majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall, at SJSU, or in the Political Science major. Applicants must be full-time Political Science majors taking a minimum of 12 units at the time of application, or full-time students when enrolled in the study board program. This scholarship also supports participation in Faculty Led Programs that take place in the intersession (summer and winter).

John L. McLemore Scholarship

(2) $2,000 scholarships awarded annually
The John L. McLemore Scholarships are awarded annually to two students who have declared a major in Political Science. The students will have completed a minimum of 60 units by the start of the next academic year following the award. These scholarships are intended for students who have demonstrated significant financial need. Preference will be given to students who are first in their families to attend a university.

John McLemore received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Political Science from San Jose State University in the early 1970’s. He graduated with a heavy student loan burden since he had minimum family financial support. Mr. McLemore had a successful 38-year career in the electronics industry. He served as a member of the Santa Clara City Council, the chairman of the Caltrain Joint Powers Board, and as vice-chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. He is a long time supporter of the Departments Alumni Association.

Peter Szego Scholarship

$2,000 awarded annually
The Peter Szego Scholarship was created by friends and admirers of this longtime political and civic activist for progressive causes. The scholarship offers financial support for political science internship students (applicants must be enrolled in POLS 181 or currently in a political science-related internship) who have a consistent record of academic success and show a strong commitment to civic engagement, local politics and government, and/or public policy.

Roy E. Young Scholarship

$1,000 to $1,500 awarded in odd-numbered years
The Roy E. Young Scholarship was established by friends and former students of Roy E. Young in appreciation of his inspiring teaching and mentoring, and for his constant and enthusiastic interest in politics. This scholarship is targeted at students with a special interest in US politics. Applicants should be full-time Political Science majors taking a minimum of 12 units.

Steven Glickman Memorial Scholarship

$2,000 awarded annually
This Scholarship honors Steve Glickman, who was deeply involved in local politics, and in public service on behalf of young people. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, majoring in Political Science, with a commitment to a career in public service. Students planning careers in local politics or government are strongly encouraged to apply. Recipients will be selected by a committee comprised of faculty of the Political Science Department. The committee will consider the student's academic performance as well as the student's potential for engagement in public service at the local level.

T.M Norton Scholarship

$1,500 to $2,500 awarded annually
Professor T.M. (Ted) Norton had received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. He began his career at San Jose State University in 1960 and taught in the Political Science Department, specializing in Constitutional Law. He was a very active member of the SJSU Academic senate, twice serving as chair, and producing a comprehensive history of the Senate in 1992.

Wesley Hubbard Scholarship

$2,500 to $3,500 awarded annually
The Wesley "Bud" Hubbard Scholarship is named for a long-time local political leader and is for students interested in state or local government and politics. Applicants must be full-time Political Science majors taking a minimum of 12 units.

College of Social Sciences Scholarships

CSU-wide Scholarship