Public Administration Scholarships

HOBBY CENTER & HOBBY FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS IN BOSS FOR THE SPRING 2025 AND SUMMER 2025 SEMESTERS

(Three to Six $1,000 - $1,500 Scholarships will be Offered) 
 
Starting on October 1, 2024, the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service will begin accepting applications for scholarships/fellowships for students in the master’s in public administration (MPA) and bachelor’s in public administration (BPA) programs. The Scholarships will be given through the Political Science Department and the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service. 

The scholarships to be awarded include the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service Scholarship and  The William P. Hobby Family Scholarship Both of these scholarships are available to apply for in BOSS) the Texas State University Scholarship Application System.

Each of the scholarships offered will provide at least a $1,000 to $1,500 reduction to tuition for 3 to 6 public administration (MPA & BPA) students for the SPRING 2025, and SUMMER 2025 semesters.   The recipients of the scholarships Hobby Center Scholarships will be announced no later than November 15, 2024. 

Scholarship Award recipients will be honored and recognized at the annual Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) Banquet which is conducted by the Centex Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). The Awards Recognition Banquet is scheduled annually in San Marcos sometime during the month of May. 

Awards Criteria for:

MPA SCHOLARSHIPS 

The major criteria for the Hobby Center scholarships/fellowships will be financial need & academic achievement. To qualify for an MPA Scholarship/Fellowship at least 6 hours of coursework toward the MPA degree must be completed. An exception may be made for highly qualified students that are applying for their first semester of MPA coursework. 

To receive an MPA scholarship/fellowship in the Spring 2025, and/or Summer 2025 semesters the student must be enrolled in at least 6 hours of MPA coursework in the semester in which they receive their scholarship (An exception may be made if the student is in their last semester and is scheduled to graduate).

Finalists for a master’s in public administration Scholarship may be asked to attend an interview with the Public Administration Program Scholarship and Awards Selection Committee. 

BPA SCHOLARSHIPS 

The major criteria for a BPA scholarship will be financial need & academic achievement. To qualify for a BPA Scholarship a student must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework with at least 6 hours of completed BPA coursework at Texas State University. 

To receive the scholarship in the Spring 2025 and/or Summer 2025 semesters, the student must be enrolled in at least 6 or more hours of coursework for the semester in which they receive their scholarship (An exception may be made if the student is in their last semester and is scheduled to graduate). 

Finalists for a bachelor’s in public administration scholarship may be asked to attend an interview with the Public Administration Program Scholarship and Awards Selection Committee. 

If you are interested in applying for a William P. Hobby Center, a Hobby Family or a Francis Rich scholarship you will need to compose a letter (not to exceed 2 pages) outlining financial need, academic achievement and your reasons for pursuing a MPA or BPA degree and any other relevant information.  

To be considered for a Public Administration Scholarship your information needs to be received no later than Midnight October 31, 2024. 

In addition to following the instructions in BOSS you will need to email an attached letter of financial need, achievement etc. and an updated resume with the subject header: Public Administration Scholarships to Dr. Howard Balanoff, Chair of the Public Administration Program Scholarship Committee with a copy to Ms. Dodie Weidner, MPA Administrative Assistant. 

Selection 

Once the letters have been received, the Scholarship Selection Committee which is currently made up of the Scholarship Committee Chair and other selected public administration faculty will review the files of the applicants and make its final recommendations no later than November 15, 2024.