The Department of Political Science is proud to offer a variety of departmental scholarships that are available to a wide array of our students. 

All required materials for Hamilton, Gruenewald, Corbett, and Trivers Scholarship applications must be received on or before 5 p.m. on April 1 of each year. Materials should be emailed to POLS@bsu.edu.

This scholarship is named in memory of Dr. Gruenewald, the first department chair of the Department of Political Science. It is given each year to an undergraduate who has completed a political science internship sometime during the current academic year.

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must:
  • be a junior or senior majoring in political science or legal studies
  • have served or be hired to serve an internship 
  • have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
To apply for this scholarship, students must submit:
  • a letter detailing what their internship meant or will mean for their career aspirations
  • a letter of recommendation
  • one copy of their unofficial transcripts

This scholarship is given to a political science or legal studies majors who has been admitted to an accredited law school in memory of Dr. Hamilton, who taught law and government at Ball State Teachers College and Ball State University.

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must:
  • be a graduating senior in political science or legal studies
  • have been accepted to an accredited law school
  • have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
To apply for this scholarships, students must submit:
  • a letter detailing what they hope to accomplish as an attorney
  • proof of acceptance to an accredited law school (copy of an email is sufficient)
  • a letter of recommendation
  • one copy of their unofficial transcripts

This scholarship was founded to honor the legacy of Dr. Corbett, who taught methodology in the Department of Political Science for nearly 30 years. It is awarded to an undergraduate who has completed POLS 210, the course that Dr. Corbett created.

To be considered for the Corbett Scholarship, a student must:

· Have completed or in the process of completing POLS 210 with a grade of B or better.

· Have an overall and major GPA of 3.0 or better.

· Submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

· Submit an unofficial copy of their undergraduate transcripts.

· Write a one page essay about their goals and how political science fits into those goals.

Dr. Trivers was a world-renowned diplomat who also taught in the Department of Political Science. This scholarship honors his memory and is given to a student who excels at the study of global politics.

To qualify for this scholarship a student must:

· Have declared the concentration in Global Politics and International Affairs

· Have a GPA of 3.0 or above

· Submit a one or two-page essay describing why they have chosen to study international affairs

· Submit an unofficial copy of their transcripts

Dr. Roger Hollands, a professor in the Department of Political Science, founded this scholarship in honor of his family. It is awarded to a deserving undergraduate studying political science.

This scholarship does not require an application. It is awarded through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.


 This scholarship is still building and was founded by the Frankland family and generous donors in honor of Dr. Frankland’s retirement after 50 years of teaching and scholarship. Once it is fully endowed, it will be awarded to an undergraduate student who displays excellence in the study of international and comparative politics.

This scholarship honors the contributions made by Judge Dailey to the Muncie and Ball State Community. It is awarded to a deserving student preparing to apply to law school.

This scholarship does not require an application. It is awarded through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

This scholarship is given to an undergraduate studying political science or legal studies.

This scholarship does not require an application. It is awarded through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Paying for Your Education