Exclusive Government Scholarships with 2024 Deadlines

About government scholarships

Government is a social science that studies government and political structures, institutions, and policies. Some colleges have different names for a government degree, such as political science or international relations degrees, but they are very similar in nature.

In 2020, 48,597 degrees were awarded to students majoring in government. Government majors study and conduct research on political systems, but there are also many other applications for a government degree. A major in government is also a strong background for those interested in other social sciences like law, international relations, history, economics, and public policy.

3.95 million people in the United States workforce have a government degree. Government majors can find jobs in a large number of fields. While many people think that students studying government only find careers in the federal government, there are also plenty of students who work in state and local governments or even behind the scenes in politics. Government majors can also work in nonprofit organizations, businesses, or various forms of media.

Across the United States, there are 1,302 schools offering degrees in political science and government. While getting a degree can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding, it is also expensive. The median debt for political science and government students is $10,284. Although student loans assist students in pursuing their degrees, there are plenty of other student aid options that can help with tuition fees. Scholarships are a great option for those who want to get a college education. If you are looking for a scholarship provider, Bold.org has plenty of options for students who pursue higher education.

What is a government scholarship?

A government scholarship is a financial award for those who are in an undergraduate or graduate program studying government or political science. The student should be enrolled in an accredited college and have a passion for politics and government. Scholarship awards will also be available for you even if you are not a government major but still plan to pursue careers in government, national security, and more.

Can you get a government scholarship?

Yes, there are plenty of scholarships for those who study government as well as opportunities for those pursuing other career fields. If you are interested in going to law school or working with non-profits, there are also plenty of scholarships that are catered specifically to those in similar fields. 

On Bold.org, you can find several scholarships that can help undergraduate and graduate students studying government.

Can you get a scholarship from the government?

In the United States, the government does provide student aid and scholarships to those who need them. Government employees and their families qualify for general financial aid programs like Pell Grants. Another great way to find a scholarship program for undergraduate or graduate students in the United States is through your state grant agency.

For international students and those who study abroad, there are also some options for you. Chinese and Japanese universities have many scholarships and fellowships including Chinese government scholarships. European countries including the UK also have great scholarship programs for local and international students.

While federal aid and loans can be helpful, it is crucial that university students also look elsewhere to make sure that they can fund their education. On Bold.org, you can find additional aid to help cover any remaining costs you may have.

How to apply for government scholarships

To begin applying for government scholarships, click on any of the scholarships listed above. If you have not yet created your free Bold.org profile, the listed scholarships will redirect you, so that you can create an account and begin applying to Bold.org's exclusive scholarships.

The scholarship search features provided on Bold.org can help you find the most relevant scholarships based on your experiences, goals, and skills. Use filters such as the ones for education level, scholarship amount, deadline, and category to help you narrow your search. The bookmark tool can help you save scholarships you are interested in, so you can return later.

Once you've decided on scholarships that fit you best, you can begin applying. The application process is set up to be easy, so all you have to focus on is writing a great essay or submitting other materials like videos or images.

Best government scholarships

Regardless of whether you are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in government, there are plenty of scholarship options on Bold.org.

1. Akila Couloumbis Memorial Scholarship for Social Justice
2. Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
3. Feltus Impact Fund Scholarship
4. WiseGeek Law No-Essay Scholarship

Government scholarships for high school students

High school is a great time to get started on applying for scholarships. By applying early, high school students can maximize their higher education funding. To start applying, click on any of the below scholarships for high school students.

1. Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship
2. Bold Community Activist Scholarship
3. WiseGeek Law No-Essay Scholarship

Government scholarships for undergraduate students

For undergraduate students, scholarships can be a great way to get some financial support while pursuing your degree. If you have any unmet financial need when funding your government education, consider applying for the scholarships below.

1. Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care
2. Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship
3. James E. Simonetti Memorial Scholarship Fund

Government scholarships for graduate students

About 67.1% of workers in careers related to government obtain at least a master's degree. Graduate degrees are very expensive, so it is crucial that government majors get adequate financial assistance. Below are some scholarships for students in a government graduate program.

1. Diversity in Law Scholarship
2. Derrick Richardson Law Student Scholarship
3. Akila Couloumbis Memorial Scholarship for Social Justice

Government scholarships for international students

4.18% of political science and government students are international students. For students studying abroad, consider the opportunities below.

1. Carlynn’s No-Essay Coming to America Scholarship
2. Expand Your Horizons Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about government scholarships

How to find government scholarships

Students can find government scholarships by searching the Bold.org scholarships page. Depending on one's exact career path in government, students can filter by categories like "Law" or "Journalism" to find more specific scholarships.

In addition, students pursuing government programs can apply for other relevant scholarship opportunities based on their hobbies and identities. For example, a female student pursuing a government degree can check out the "Women" category for additional scholarships.

Additionally, some schools offer scholarships for their government students, so always check your university's financial aid office for more information. Often, prospective college students who excelled academically in high school can earn student aid and partial funding from their school's financial aid office.

When can I start applying?

It's never too early to begin applying for government scholarships! As soon as you're at least fourteen years old and in high school, you'll start qualifying for scholarships. The sooner you begin applying, the more scholarships you will be able to apply for, boosting your chances of covering all of your financial need.

It's also never too late to apply for scholarships! High school seniors can and should submit scholarship applications, even if it's their last month of high school. Undergraduate and graduate students can continue applying for scholarships throughout their degrees. Recent graduates who have student loans are even eligible to apply for certain scholarships!

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?

Every scholarship will include a list of eligibility requirements in the description. Eligible students must meet all of the criteria to qualify and apply, so read carefully! Some scholarships have a wide range of eligibility requirements and are less competitive as a result. The fewer eligible applicants a scholarship has, the better your chances of winning will be. 

Eligibility requirements can be anything from race or gender to location or field of study. Students who display academic excellence, leadership, or other positive traits can even qualify for additional scholarships. Additionally, students who demonstrate financial need can unlock scholarships exclusively open to low-income students. 

To make sure you're taking advantage of all of your opportunities, make sure your Bold.org profile is completely filled out. Since Bold.org may block ineligible students from applying for certain scholarships, it's important that your profile accurately reflects your information so you don't miss out on any scholarships.

Before applying, read through all requirements to ensure that you're eligible to receive the scholarship. Since scholarships often take time and effort to apply for, you want to be sure that you're not wasting time on a scholarship that you're not eligible to receive.

Are scholarships counted as income?

Generally, scholarship money is not counted as income, as long as the money goes to qualified expenses and doesn't exceed your total costs.

The scholarship award must be used for school-related expenses, like tuition and fees, books, and school supplies. Scholarship money is taxable if it is used for other college-related costs like room and board, food, or travel.

Scholarships from Bold.org are sent directly to the school of the winner and applied towards qualifying educational costs, so you don't need to worry about reporting it as income or paying taxes on it.