O’Neill Indianapolis offers scholarships and fellowships to incoming and current graduate students based on academic achievement, civic engagement, and financial need. Award amounts range from $500 to $20,000 per year, per scholarship. Graduate research assistantships are also available to full-time students. Some graduate scholarships will be automatically matched once the general application is completed while others require an additional application. The application deadline for all scholarships is March 1.
Apply for a graduate scholarship or fellowship
Admissions-based scholarships
Complete the general application to automatically be considered for the highest value admissions-based scholarship you are eligible for.
Scholarships requiring an additional application
Once you have completed the general application, you are eligible to apply for other scholarship opportunities that may require additional materials, such as a personal statement or letters of recommendation.
When should I apply for scholarships?
In general, it is best to submit your general application and any scholarship-specific applications as soon as possible to be considered for the most funding.
Admissions-based scholarships
Once you complete the general application, you will automatically be considered for the following scholarships.
The Bill and Mairin Foley Military Service Scholarship was created to honor Senior Lecturer Emeritus and Retired United States Army Colonel Bill Foley’s 14+ years of service to the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis.This scholarship is awarded to students who are current or former military service members or who are children of current or former military service members. Preference will be given to students who have high financial need or are from underrepresented populations.
Two scholarships will be awarded to MPA students in good academic standing.
Established to honor former O’Neill Indianapolis Executive Associate Dean Greg Lindsey. The Greg Lindsey Academic Scholarship supports an undergraduate or graduate O’Neill student. To apply, students must demonstrate financial need and have at least a 3.0 cumulative IU GPA.
The O'Neill Alumni Association is proud to sponsor $1,000 scholarships for current O’Neill students. The scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who meet the qualifications. Current O’Neill students returning for the next academic year with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply.
Scholarships requiring an additional application
Once you complete the general application, explore the scholarships below. These require additional materials, such as a personal statement or letter of recommendation, but can equate to thousands more in funding.
You may have to search for these by name in the Indiana University Scholarship System.
This award was established in memory of C. Michael Pitts, who served as an associate professor for O’Neill in labor relations and mediation for many years before his death in 2002. It is for O’Neill Indianapolis students seeking an MPA and who have an interest in pursuing a career in public service or the nonprofit sector. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, be a resident of the state of Indiana, and demonstrate financial need.
The Cory R. Elson Scholarship was established for the fallen Indiana State Trooper Cory Elson by his wife, Amy. This scholarship provides recognition and financial support to Criminal Justice students who wish to pursue a career in policing. To apply, students must demonstrate financial need and have at least a 2.6 cumulative IU GPA.
Scholarships for graduate students enrolled in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis who have demonstrated financial need and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. First preference will be given to students who are current United States Service members or United States Military veterans, and second preference will be given to spouses, children, or stepchildren of current United States Service members or United States Military veterans.
Current full-time and retired police officers and firefighters in the state of Indiana are eligible to receive money to support undergraduate or graduate coursework at IU Indianapolis.
Awarded to a graduate student at O’Neill Indianapolis. Recipients will have a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need, interest in pursuing a career in public service or not-for-profit sector, and are a current resident of the state of Indiana. Students must demonstrate their record of community service and complete an internship with a community nonprofit organization or governmental agency.
This unique fellowship provides financial support for an internship for a graduate student or Accelerated Master's Program student at the O'Neill School. The recipient will intern with the Indiana Senate Majority Finance Committee or other group designated by Senate leadership. This two-semester experience requires a commitment of 20 hours per week during the fall semester with a scholarship of $5,000. The spring semester requires a 30–35 hour per week commitment, and the Senate will pay a biweekly stipend of $900. Partial tuition remission is available for up to 9 credit hours in the fall and 6 credit hours in the spring. To apply, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and an interest in learning about state finance and budget process.
Scholarships for students enrolled in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and are current or retired Indiana State Police officers or the children, stepchildren, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren of a current or retired Indiana State Police Officer. The scholarship is renewable if recipients continue to meet the criteria.
O'Neill Indianapolis hires full-time graduate students to support the research of our tenure-track faculty members. Graduate Research Assistants will are expected to work 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and are compensated $15/hour for the first year and $17/hour for the second year (if renewed). In addition, selected candidates will receive a renewable scholarship covering majority of the tuition and fee costs for the spring and fall semesters.
Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis who have secured unpaid or low-paying internships at nonprofit, public, or private organizations lasting a minimum of eight weeks or 80 hours. A low-paying internship is defined as a wage and/or stipend lower than minimum wage, verified by a letter from their internship supervisor. Preference is given to students participating in an unpaid internship. The scholarship is not renewable.
Fellowships established by Paul H. O’Neill support a cadre of master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral students who are known for and highly sought after for their leadership and superior problem-solving skills. Recipients will have demonstrated scholarly achievement as evidenced by an excellent academic record, leadership, and initiative through academic and/or extracurricular achievements, and a commitment to public service and/or environmental science.
This three-semester fellowship provides financial support for a talented O’Neill graduate student to gain experience with the Indianapolis Mayor's Office, IndyGo, and Indianapolis International Airport. Peterson Fellows work in partnership with all three municipal agencies to address specific challenges and opportunities that impact the Indianapolis community. The rotation begins in the fall and ends after the summer semester. The selected Fellow will receive $20,000 distributed throughout the three semesters. Students must be interested in a career in public service and in good academic standing. This scholarship is not renewable. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed and must be accepted as an intern by the Indianapolis Mayor's Office, IndyGo and Indianapolis Airport Authority. Applicants may be subject to a background check and drug screening.
Scholarships will be awarded to graduate students at O'Neill Indianapolis who have an interest in public management and/or financial management. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA, represent and embody the spirit of IU Indianapolis, and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to Indiana residents.
Award supports a graduate student at O’Neill Indianapolis. Students may be attending classes on a full- or part-time basis. Preference is given to a single mother or single father.
Midwest Student Exchange Program
Out-of-state students from select Midwestern states can save thousands of dollars on tuition by participating in the Midwest Student Exchange Program. You must be a legal resident of Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin to receive the discount.
Learn more about the program