Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid and University Scholarships would like to announce the NEW university scholarship portal: The Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP). All currently enrolled students (graduate and undergraduate) should apply for university and departmental scholarships through ASAP. Students can access the portal by going to ASAP.appstate.edu or through the “Student” tab in their AppalNet account. If you have questions, please reach out to University Scholarships at scholarships@appstate.edu

The Department of Government and Justice Studies would like to assist its students financially whenever possible. To this end, the Department offers a number of competitive and need-based scholarships which are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. A brief description of each is provided below. 

Also keep in mind that Appalachian has its own scholarship and financial aid information available, and they provide you with numerous ways of finding out about even more scholarships from around the country that you may be eligible for.

Scholarships for Majors

Government and Justice Studies Opportunities Scholarship

Applicants for the Government & Justice Studies Opportunities Scholarship must be pursuing a degree in Government and Justice Studies. Undergraduate applicants must be taking at least 12 credit hours. Graduate applicants must be taking at least 9 credit hours. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0. The scholarship is renewable with reapplication, as long as the aforementioned specifications are met. Preference will be given to applicants with financial need; verification is not required. In the application, the applicant must provide a brief response to the following prompt: Why are you pursuing a degree in Government and Justice Studies and how will receiving this scholarship assist you with completing your degree? The Government and Justice Studies Opportunities Scholarship was established with the generous support of Katelynn and Aaron Walker who are alumni of the Department of Government and Justice Studies.

Winston-Salem Police Department Scholarship Program

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) Scholarship Program covers tuition, books, and fees for the remaining undergraduate studies at App State for Criminal Justice majors willing to make a three-year service commitment as a WSPD office upon graduation.  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.  Students must pass a background check, initial eligibility testing, and have at least a 3.0 GPA.  As part of the scholarship program, students will complete their required internship at the WSPD prior to graduation.  Interested students can find additional information at the WSPD website or by contacting the WSPD Recruitment Office (Recruit@wspd.org; 336-773-7856).   

Dr. Edward M. Allen, Jr. Scholarship for Political Science

This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior political science major each spring semester. Criteria include a 3.5 GPA, at least nine hours of political science coursework completed, demonstrated financial need and being actively involved in a variety of student activities. The award is named after one of the most outstanding teachers in the history of Appalachian who served in the department for over 25 years. To apply for the scholarship, you will need to complete an application form for the scholarship and submit a resumé and a brief essay of approximately 300 words identifying your scholarly interest; career goals; service activities and financial need. Approximate award amount $2,500.

Andy Nobles Memorial Scholarship for Criminal Justice

This scholarship is awarded to an entering freshman from Mecklenburg County in financial need who intends to major in criminal justice. Selection occurs from the pool of applicants for various freshman level scholarships available through the University Admissions office during the spring semester. Applicants must demonstrate a verifiable need for financial support (FAFSA required) and must be full-time students.The award is named after an Appalachian criminal justice alumnus who was killed in the line of duty as a Charlotte Police Officer. Approximate award amount $2,500.

Roland Frederick Moy Study Away Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to provide support for an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates an interest in international affairs. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need. Applicants interested in this scholarship must: (1) write about their current or past involvement with international affairs in the classroom or in extracurricular activities, and (2) write about how participation in a Study Away Program will help further their interest in an understanding of international affairs.

North Carolina Sheriff's Association Scholarship in Criminal Justice

This scholarship is awarded to a rising senior in criminal justice with both an outstanding academic record and a demonstrated financial need. The criminal justice faculty selects the individual from a list of eligibles provided by the Financial Aid Office each summer.

Richter H. Moore, Jr. Law and Society Research Award

This research award is given to the graduate student in the department who is pursuing research that relates to the connection between the legal system and society. The competitive award is based upon applications and faculty nominations of students who have shown an interest and competence in this area of research. The award is named for the "Father" of criminal justice in the southeast who chaired the department for 14 years and was a founder of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the Southern Criminal Justice Association and other professional organizations.

David Sutton Endowment for Political Science and Criminal Justice

The successful applicants for this scholarship must meet the following requirements: (1) be a Political Science major with at least 18 completed hours of coursework in political science and a minimum of 45 completed hours in coursework overall at the time of application; (2) have a grade point average of 3.5 or above and (3) evidence of community service or campus involvement. Applicants meeting the minimum criteria described above are cordially invited to submit an application for this scholarship.  In the application, please provide a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay that describes (1) your career plans and aspirations; (2) your financial need [if you have need]; (3) your community service/campus involvement (such as membership in organizations, leadership roles played, off-campus service activities and so on); (4) any awards or honors you have already received and (5) a brief statement on why you chose political science as your major.

Mark Don Browder III Insurance Memorial Scholarship

To provide scholarship support to undergraduate students majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration or graduate students accepted in the Masters in Public Administration program. This scholarship is nonrenewable. 

SECU Public Fellows Internship

This is an opportunity for students who will be completing unpaid internships in public service organizations for at least 6 academic credits.  Through the generosity of the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union Foundation, the University is a site for the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Public Service Fellows Internship Program and is able offer up to $5,000 scholarships for tuition, fees and other internship expenses. The purpose of the Public Service Fellows Internship Program is to connect undergraduates with organizations located in rural and under-served regions of NC. Students selected for the program will gain meaningful on-the-job experience and learn about career opportunities in public service. Priority is given to students whose internship sites are located in or serve under-served areas or rural communities of North Carolina including Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.  Application will be made through AppSync.  Contact your advisor or internship coordinator for more information about the application process and deadlines.

ASU Local Government Alumni Association

Nine scholarships are awarded each year to undergraduate students majoring in political science with a concentration in Town, City, County, Management and graduate students in the Master of Public Administration program. The recipients are selected by the faculty in public administration in conjunction with the officers of the alumni association. The selections are made in the fall during the Association's annual conference.

Robert G. Hester Scholarship Endowment for Local Government

Application is open to Junior or Senior students  who are concentrating in Town Administration and City and County Management. Preference should accrue to those students who have achieved a satisfactory academic standing (3.0 minimum GPA) and have evidenced a need for financial assistance to the satisfaction of the selection committee. Approximate award amount $1,000.

Southern Corrosion Local Government Association Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship is awarded to Junior or Senior students majoring in Politcal Science who select an area of concentration in Town administration and city and county management. Applicants should have, and recipients maintain, satisfactory academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA). Applicants should evidence a need for financial assistance to the satisfaction of the selection committee.

Marvin Hoffman Local Government Scholarship

This scholarship supports undergraduate students majoring in Political Science who are pursuing a course of study related to town, city and county management and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Approximate award amount $2,000.

Jimmy C. Draughn Scholarship for Local Government 

This scholarship provides support for undergraduate or graduate students in the Political Science Department pursuing a course of study related to town, city and county management. Additional preference related to scholarship recipients may be submitted by the donors at a later time prior to the completion of minimum funding, however said preferences are subject to Foundation approval before becoming a part of this scholarship endowment agreement. Approximate award amount $1,000.

North Carolina City and County Managers Association Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in the City/County Management track in the MPA program. MPA core faculty select the recipient from the pool of second-year students in the fall semester who have shown academic excellence and promise as a future city or county manager.

Mayor Roy Maness Local Government Endowment

Applicants must be interested in a career in the area of Town Administration and City and County Management and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Approximate award amount $2,000.

Utility Services Local Government Scholarship 

Application is open to juniors or seniors in an area of concentration in Town Administration and City and County Management, that maintain 3.0 GPA and evidence a need for financial assistance to the satisfaction of the selection committee. Approximate award amount $1,000

Matt Winn Williamson Scholarship for Town, City, County Management

Applicants must be a junior or senior majoring in Town, City, County Management, must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and/or potential, preference in the selection process should be directed to individuals connected to the original Town Administration and City or County Management program. Approximate award amount $2,000.

College Scholarships

Consider scholarships offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Visit the college website to see the qualifications for each scholarship offered. For more questions, contact the Dean's Office at cas@appstate.edu or (828) 262-3078.

  • Sally A. Callegari Memorial Scholarship for Gender Diversity in Animal Studies
  • Drs. Joanne Smith and Don R. Brannon Scholarship for Natural Sciences
  • Richard A. Thomas Memorial Scholarship for Arts and Sciences 
  • Jonathan K. Perryman Memorial Scholarship for the Sciences
  • GlaxoSmithKline Women in Science Scholarships
  • The Peggy Harmon Shore Pre-Health Care Professional Endowed Scholarship