Francis M. Rich, Jr. Endowed Scholarship

(Two to Four $1,000 - $1,500 Scholarships will be Offered) 
 
Starting on April 1, 2025, the Political Science Department will start accepting applications for Francis M. Rich Scholarships for students in the Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Program. The Scholarships will be given through the Political Science Department and the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service. 

At least 2 Francis Rich Scholarships of $1,000 - $1,500 each will be 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 2 to 4 public administration (MPA) students for the FALL 2025, SPRING 2026, and SUMMER 2026 semesters.   The recipients of the Francis M. Rich Scholarships will be selected no later than May 30, 2025. 

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 at Palmers Restaurant in San Marcos, Texas. 

Awards Criteria for:

MPA SCHOLARSHIPS 

The major criteria for the Hobby Family scholarships 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 in the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and/or Summer 2026 semesters a 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. 

To be considered for an MPA Scholarship your information needs to be received no later than Midnight May 12, 2025. 

To apply for a Francis Rich Scholarship, MPA students must submit an email application to Dr. Howard Balanoff, hb02@txstate.edu Chair of the Public Administration Program Scholarship Committee, with a copy to Ms. Allison Hopson, agh72@txstate.edu The Department’s Administrative Assistant. The subject heading for the email should be “Public Administration Scholarships” and applicants should attach a letter of financial need, achievement etc. and an updated resume.

Once the email with the attachments is received, then the applicant will be provided with instructions on how to apply for the Francis Rich Scholarship in BOSS. 

Selection 

The Scholarship Selection Committee is currently made up of the Scholarship Committee Chair and other selected public administration faculty. The Committee will review the files of the applicants and make its final recommendations no later than June 15, 2025.