Apply for departmental scholarships
De Kryger-Monsman Memorial Prize
As a result of a gift to Calvin College by Mrs. Gerald Monsman in memory of her husband, typically one prize is awarded each year but sometimes there are two awarded to a junior Political Science or International Relations major for use in the senior year at Calvin College. The award is given for academic achievement. Selection of recipients is made by the Political Science Department each spring in conjunction with the Committee on Scholarships and Financial Aid. Award amounts may vary somewhat from year-to-year. The amount for 2008-09 is a total of $3,300 . This amount is divided equally if two awards are given.
De Kryger-Monsman Application Form
Applications must be turned in to the Political Science Department office by March 1, 2008.
Charles Strikwerda Scholarship
The Charles Strikwerda Scholarship was established by the late John Van Dellen to honor his nephew, long-time Political Science Department faculty member, Charles Strikwerda. The scholarship is awarded to a current Calvin sophomore or junior Political Science or International Relations major who has a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. The Strikwerda Scholarship is awarded on the basis of excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, as it is to be awarded to an "all-around good student who contributes significantly to the classroom and campus environment." Recipients will be selected by the Political Science Department in coordination with the Committee on Scholarships and Financial Aid. Award amounts may vary somewhat from year to year. The amount for 2008-09 was $2,000.
Charles Strikwerda Scholarship Application.
Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department office by March 1, 2008.
Peace and Justice Scholarship
Calvin College alumnus Paul Hoffman established this scholarship fund in June 1987. The fund provides scholarships to Calvin College students who are actively involved with global peace and justice issues, particularly related to the causes of war and conditions for peace in the nuclear age. Candidates must be completing their sophomore, junior, or senior year at Calvin and apply on forms provided by Calvin. Recipients will be selected by the Political Science Department or an interdisciplinary committee chosen by the department which includes faculty members in other departments or mentors of student organizations such as Amnesty International, the Service-Learning Center, and Bread for the World. Award amounts may vary somewhat from year to year. The 2008-09 award is $2,200.
Peace and Justice Scholarship Application Form.
Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department Office by March 1, 2008.
Johan and Wilma Westra Scholarship
NOTE: Applications for this scholarship for the 2008-2009 school year will NOT be accepted due to the renewing of the 2007-2008 winners because of their continued eligibility.
Dr. Johan G. Westra was the first full-time Political Science professor at Calvin College and taught for many years. He also served as the pre-law advisor for more than 20 years. His wife, Wilma Westra, served Calvin College as bookstore manager, executive secretary of the Alumni Association, Coordinator of Adult and Continuing Education, and as a volunteer Knollcrest Festival chairperson. The Westras established this scholarship for a student either majoring in Political Science or who is in the pre-law program. Special consideration is given to students active in volunteer work and interested in a career in public service. In addition to meeting these requirements, candidates for the scholarship must be entering the junior or senior year, be a current Calvin student and planning to enroll full-time the following year, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Typically one prize is awarded each year but sometimes the amount is divided between two students. As of the 2008-2009 academic year this scholarship is renewable the following year if the recipient(s) is still a student at Calvin and continues to meet the criteria for the scholarship. Financial need as established by the government is not required but there should be some evidence that the scholarship is needed to help meet educational expenses. The amount for 2008-09 is $1,200.
Westra Scholarship Application Form.
Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department office by March 1, 2008.
The Lyle and Barbara (Duimstra) Voskuil Family Scholarship
In 2008 Barbara and Lyle Voskuil, graduates of Calvin College, established this scholarship to show their appreciation for the quality liberal arts education they received from Calvin College. The scholarship is established for a current Calvin College student majoring in Economics or Political Science who is planning to enroll full time the following year and has a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Financial need as established by the government is not required but there should be some evidence that the scholarship is needed to help meet educational expenses. Preference will be given to students who are interested in international and global relationships and values and how the world can work together (includes economics, law, finance, health care, education, etc.). Preference will also be given to students that can look at these qualities in a global perspective. The scholarship is automatically renewable if the student maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The amount for 2008-09 is $1,500.
Voskuil Family ScholarshipApplication Form
Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department office by March 1, 2008.
Dr. Bernard Zylstra, S.J.D., Memorial Scholarship
Gerrit and Carol Zylstra have established this scholarship to honor their brother Bernard Zylstra, former Professor of Political Theory and President of the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, Canada. Bernard Zylstra actively promoted the development of Christian political theory, and this scholarship is intended to support the continuation of the development of Christian political theory. The endowment funding provides for four scholarships for the 2008-2009 school year. The amount to be awarded for 2008-09 is $3,000 each. Awards are intended for use in the junior or senior year. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must submit a 1200 word essay that reflects on some article by Bernard Zylstra concerning political theory. Applicants must provide a statement of potential career goals that indicates some relevance to political theory and of how this scholarship would help accomplish those career goals.
Zylstra Scholarship Application Form
Applications and the Zylstra essays are also available in the Political Science Department Office. Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department Office by March 1, 2008.
Pi Sigma Alpha Award
Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society for undergraduate and graduate students of political science, giving students the opportunity for valuable administrative experience. Students of government, political science, public administration, and international relations are accepted into the membership when they attain high standards of learning and academic distinction in political science and overall educational work. This award is given to those Political Science or International Relations major who have completed, or who are currently in the process of completing 9 semester hours of political science courses and who have maintained a 3.5 cumulative GPA. This is a national organization and Calvin's on campus faculty advisor is Professor Corwin Smidt in the Political Science office in DeVos Center Room 261H. Contact him at: 616-526-6233 or email him at: smid at calvin.edu
Fox Fund Award
The Fox Fund is awarded as a supplemental travel grant for current Calvin Political Science or International Relations majors or minors with a financial needs. This fund was established in 2004 by the Political Science Department as a result of a gift from Rev. Joseph D. and Mrs. Barbara D. Fox to honor their son, Ben Fox. The award can be used for transportation or related travel expenses to departmentally-sanctioned purposes, normally either for participation in Model United Nations or in a State/Local Internship. A maximum of $100 is given to eligible students in any given academic year but students may apply in more than one year.
Fox Fund Application Form
Application forms must be turned in to the Political Science Department office, De Vos Communication Center 261, by October1 (for fall semester grants) or March 1, (for spring semester grants) of the academic year in which the funds are to be used.
Political Science Student Travel Funds
The Political Science Department has a small amount of funds available for Calvin Political Science or International Relations majors or minors traveling for department related purposes.
Political Science Student Travel Funds Application Form
Outside Scholarships
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program
The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection. The Foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development. Scholars are invited to participate in a number of programs: Truman Scholar Leadership Week, The Summer Institute, The Truman Fellows Program, and the Public Service Law Conference. Please visit the Truman Scholarship Web site for an overview of the programs the Foundation currently offers for Scholars or Ken Bratt, Calvin's Honors Program Director at kbratt at calvin.edu or 6-6296.
Gerald R. Ford Republican Women's Club
The Gerald R. Ford Republican Women's Club seeks to encourage women to become involved in the political process by awarding a Leadership Scholarship to that woman college student, from Kent County, who best exhibits the leadership style that is necessary for effective political involvement. To be eligible the applicant must be a female college student and a Kent County resident majoring or minoring in political science with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The application deadline is October 1. For additional information, contact the department chairperson.
Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship
A $500 scholarship will be awarded to a junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in a Michigan college or university. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in public administration, public affairs management, or some other field closely related to local government administration. Selection for this award will determined by the student's academic achievement, community involvement, and commitment to a career in local government administration. Application procedure: Applicants should submit a resume which provides the following information, as applicable: name, home address, school address, college where enrolled, cumulative GPA, declared major, expected graduation date, home community activities, school community activities, scholarly extracurricular activities, and career goals. Applicants also must provide a letter of recommendation from a professor, a copy of a resolution of support from a Michigan township board, and a short essay on an important issue facing local government. Application deadline: mid-May. Apply to: The Robert R. Robinson Scholarship Fund, c/o The Michigan Townships Association, 512 Westshire Drive, Lansing, MI 48917
Others ways to fund your education
Search for other Calvin scholarship opportunities available.
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