Monroe M. Sweetland Endowed Community Leadership Scholarship

Portland State University is proud to be the home of the Monroe M. Sweetland Endowed Community Leadership Scholarship, which honors a remarkable Oregonian and steadfast friend of the University. Monroe Sweetland's achievements as a citizen, legislator, and early advocate for PSU were characterized by his enduring commitment to educational opportunity for all. In the years following World War II, as a state Senator, Monroe Sweetland focused his attention on expanding educational opportunities for Oregonians. He knew that accessible, quality higher education was imperative to serve a growing Portland metropolitan area and nearby rural communities. During his tenure as a state Senator he almost single-handedly shaped legislation, approved in 1955, which led to Portland State's transformation from a small extension program for returning veterans to a first-class public university. Mr. Sweetland also helped lead the effort to establish Portland State's first graduate program, the Graduate School of Social Work. For decades, former State Senator Monroe Sweetland was a well-known figure in Oregon politics, an individual of great integrity and civility, highly regarded by his colleagues regardless of political affiliation. Always a vocal advocate of higher education, he served as a lobbyist for the National Education Association for many years. The scholarship reflects his lifelong interests and career accomplishments and assists students in some of PSU's most distinguished and active professional programs.

This is a one-year non-renewable award. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need. As of November 15, 2007, we anticipate that one award of up to $1,000 (distributed equally in Fall 2008, Winter 2009, and Spring 2009) will be given to a graduate student for the 2008-09 academic year; a similar award will be given to an undergraduate student, administered separately through the Office of Financial Aid.

For students receiving financial aid, this award will impact the financial aid package.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Monroe M. Sweetland Endowed Community Leadership Scholarship if you meet these requirements:

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident AND
  • Regularly admitted (or applied to and granted regular admission for Fall 2008 before the end of the selection process) to one of the following graduate degree programs or fully-approved graduate certificate programs:

    in the School of Education

    • M.A./M.S. in Education in Counseling; Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Policy, Foundations, and Administration; or Special Education
    • Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Administration; Curriculum and Instruction; Postsecondary Education; or Special and Counselor Education
    • M.Ed. in Education (Elementary or Secondary)
    • Graduate Certificate in Children's and Young Adult Literature; Addictions Counseling; or Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling

    in the School of Social Work

    • Ph.D. in Social Work and Social Research
    • M.S.W.

    in the College of Urban and Public Affairs

    • M.A./M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Health Education; or Political Science
    • M.A.T./M.S.T. in General Social Science with Political Science as a defined concentration
    • M.P.A. in Public Administration or Health Administration
    • M.U.R.P.
    • M.P.H. in Health Promotion or Health Management and Policy
    • M.U.S.
    • Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy or Urban Studies
    • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Real Estate Development, or Transportation
  • Good academic standing and demonstration of satisfactory progress toward the degree/graduate certificate of admission, with a minimum of 6 graduate credits registered and successfully completed each term of the 2008-09 academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring)
  • You have financial need
  • You must file the 2008-09 FAFSA

On-line Application Process

You will be able to apply for OGS (Office of Graduate Studies) scholarships and awards beginning on November 16, 2007.

Access the on-line application for OGS scholarships and awards at the ScholarX website (http://portlandstate.scholarships.nelnet.net/). You will need to first create an account by clicking on "First Time User." Once your account is created, you will click on "Returning User" to access the application form.

To apply for OGS scholarships and awards, you must complete the PSU Graduate Scholarship Application on the ScholarX website. The deadline for this application is April 21, 2008 at 11:59PM (Pacific Daylight Time). This includes your letters of recommendation.

Transcripts

You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial) from ALL previous colleges, including PSU, to our office if you are applying for graduate scholarships using the on-line PSU Graduate Scholarship Application.

TRANSCRIPTS CANNOT BE COPIED FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE FILES.

Mail to:
Graduate Scholarship/Fellowship Programs
Office of Graduate Studies, OGS
Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207-0751

Hand-deliver to:
Office of Graduate Studies
6th Floor, Unitus Building
SW 4th and Lincoln

Deadlines

The deadline for the OGS scholarships and awards is Monday, April 21, 2008. The following items are due on this date:

  • The PSU Graduate Scholarship Application (due on or before 11:59PM of the 21st) - including two letters of recommendation - accessible by the ScholarX website
  • Transcripts - must be received or post-marked by April 21, 2008