William P. Hobby Center Scholarship

(Three to Six $1,000 - $1,500 Scholarships will be Offered) 
 
Starting on May 1, 2025, the Political Science Department will start accepting applications for William P. Hobby Center Scholarships for students in the Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Program and the Bachelor’s in Public Administration (BPA) Program. The Scholarships will be given through the Political Science Department and the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service. 

At least 3 William P. Hobby Center 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 3 to 6 public administration (MPA & BPA) students for the FALL 2025, SPRING 2026, and SUMMER 2026 semesters.   The recipients of the Hobby Center Scholarships will be selected no later than June 15, 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 Center 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/fellowship in the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and/or Summer 2026 semesters a student must be enrolled in at least 6 hours of MPA or BPA 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 June 1, 2025. 

To apply for a Hobby Center 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. 

Awards Criteria for 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 Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026 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 Scholarship you will need to compose a letter (not to exceed 2 pages) outlining financial need, academic achievement and your reasons for pursuing a BPA and/or an MPA degree and any other relevant information.  

To be considered for an BPA Scholarship your information needs to be received no later than Midnight June 1, 2025. 

To apply for a Hobby Center Scholarship, BPA 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 Hobby Center Scholarship in BOSS. 

Selection 

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