SPA In The News

Scholarships

Mark R. Hafen MURP Diversity Scholarship for MURP students!

Named after (and established by) the former MURP Program Director Dr. Mark Hafen, this privately funded scholarship provides support to graduate students in the MURP program through funds raised from generous donors, with preference given to diverse students from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one deserving planning student of merit who submits a personal statement describing how their background and/or experiences can contribute to our program's goal of expanding opportunities to historically underrepresented, economically disadvantaged, and marginalized communities. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.

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James E. Blanton III Veterans Scholarship for MPA and MURP students!

In memory of James E. Blanton III, this scholarship provides support to MPA and MURP graduate student veterans who honorably served in a branch of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) or the National Guard.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to up to two deserving students who submit a personal statement relating how their military service has led them to pursue a graduate degree in public service. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.

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Public Service Scholarship for PSL minor students!

Established by the former School Director Dr. Ronald Sanders, this scholarship provides support to undergraduate students in the Public Service & Leadership (PSL) minor.

The $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually to up to two deserving students with a demonstrated commitment to a career in public service. This may include an interest in federal, state, or local government; the nonprofit sector; or community based-organizations. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.

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Mark Bentley APA Sun Coast Section Scholarship for MURP students!

Named after (and established by) Mark Bentley—one of the state's top land use lawyers and a long-time supporter of local professional planning development activities in partnership with the Sun Coast Section of APA Florida—this scholarship provides support to emerging planners in the MURP program.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one deserving planning student of merit who submits a personal statement describing why they chose planning as a career path, how their planning education will be applied to their career goals, and their accomplishments in planning-related activities and/or within the MURP program. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.

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Joan Pynes Memorial Scholarship for MPA and GCNM students!

In memory of the late Professor Dr. Joan Pynes, this scholarship rewards outstanding academic performances by graduate students in the MPA and GCNM programs.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one deserving student who is interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit administration or NGO's, and submits an outstanding project paper in nonprofit management that is already graded. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.

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Jamil Jreisat Scholarship for MPA and GCPM students!

Named after (and established by) the late Professor Emeritus Dr. Jamil Jreisat, this scholarship rewards outstanding academic performances by graduate students in the MPA and GCPM programs.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to up to two deserving students who either submit an outstanding independent research paper in public administration that is already graded, or have completed at least 24 graduate credit hours with a perfect 4.0 GPA. The application process and deadlines are announced via email to current students only.