Admission

Scholarships

The Pepperdine University School of Public Policy awards a number of scholarships each year. These awards are made available through endowed funds, gifts from supporters and alumni, and allocation of University general funds (see partial list in this section). The Scholarship Committee awards scholarships based on merit, need, academic and professional experience, as well as standardized test scores.

To be considered for scholarship funds, students must indicate a desire for scholarship consideration on the Application for Admission. Awards are made throughout the admission cycle as admission decisions are made. The scholarship deadline for the fall semester is May 1. Early application is encouraged.

Any scholarship recipient must agree to the terms and conditions as set forth on the School of Public Policy website and adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The scholarship provided for each term requires that the student maintain a full load of 16 units of course work in the Master of Public Policy program. If circumstances should require a reduced course load, the scholarship amount will be reduced proportionately.
2. The student understands and agrees with University policy that the full award for any term will be rescinded in the event the student withdraws or is dismissed during that semester or fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or higher, depending on the scholarship requirements. The student subsequently assumes full financial responsibility for tuition and fees as prescribed by the catalog.
3. The student understands that once the scholarship is rescinded, it will not be reinstated.
4. Certain information may be released to parties outside of the University who are providing scholarship assistance to Pepperdine students. The directory information released may include the student's name, address, hometown, and academic major.
5. Students agree to keep the scholarship amounts awarded to them by the Scholarship Committee confidential.
6. Students agree to abide by the terms of the scholarship, which may require a typewritten letter of appreciation or meeting with the donor for the scholarship.
7. For students who qualify for Veteran's Benefit Administration benefits, including, but not limited to, the Montgomery GI Bill or the Yellow Ribbon program, the scholarship offered may not exceed the cost of attendance.

Students can expect that the scholarship award per semester will remain effective the entire time they are enrolled in good standing in the Master of Public Policy program. Academic probation or other disciplinary action will jeopardize the student's award. Students who fail to meet scholarship requirements may have their scholarships rescinded.

Associated Women for Pepperdine School of Public Policy Scholarship

Associated Women for Pepperdine is a group of Church of Christ women who raise funds each year to assist deserving students who are members of the Church of Christ. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, merit, character, and church membership.

William S. and Gay Banowsky Endowed Scholarship

Established by Lew O. Ward and supported by a circle of friends,  the William S. and Gay Banowsky Endowed Scholarship provides grants to students pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

Janet O'Neil Buese Public Policy Scholarship

The Janet O'Neil Buese Public Policy Scholarship provides support for students at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

Dr. Frank W. and Mrs. Sherry R. Cornell Endowed Scholarship

The Dr. Frank W. and Mrs. Sherry R. Cornell Endowed Scholarship is restricted to students with financial need who are pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the School of Public Policy, with preference given to Catholic students. If no Catholic students are available, the scholarship shall be given to Christian students. The scholarship provides support to one or more students with financial need who are good standing in all areas of the University.

Joe and Farima Czyzyk Endowed Fellowship Fund

The Joe and Farima Czyzyk Endowed Fellowship Fund provides support for students at the School of Public Policy to fulfill their summer internship requirement.  The fellowship is reserved for students who pursue an internship at The Heritage Foundation or, if that is not possible, then another conservative public policy think tank located in Washington, DC.

Robert and Deborah Dudley Scholarship for the School of Public Policy

The Robert and Deborah Dudley Scholarship was established for qualified students pursuing a master’s degree and eventual career in public policy who demonstrate financial need.

Bertha and John Garabedian Foundation Endowed Scholarship

The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation Fund will provide assistance to qualified public policy students from Fresno, Kings, Madera, or Tulare counties in California.

Endowed Jewish Scholarship

Established to provide assistance to Jewish students in good academic standing who are pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy.

Peter and Veronica Johnson Endowed Scholarship

The Peter and Veronica Johnson Endowed Scholarship provides support to students with financial need who are highly qualified applicants to the School of Public Policy and remain in good standing in all areas of the University.

Thomas P. Kemp Endowed Scholarship

Established in spring 2006 as a memorial legacy to Pepperdine Regent Tom Kemp, this scholarship assists students at the School of Public Policy.

Seiji Masuda Endowed Scholarship in Public Policy for International Students

Established in 2004, the Seiji Masuda Endowed Scholarship in Public Policy for International Students was created to provide scholarships for international students from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei on the basis of merit and need.

William and Nancy Mortensen Endowed Minority Scholarship

The William and Nancy Mortensen Endowed Minority Scholarship will provide scholarship assistance to minority students in good academic standing.

Mike E. O’Neal Endowed Scholarship Fund

Established by Peter Cheung and Fred Prager, this endowed scholarship was created to aid deserving School of Public Policy students.

Allen and Marilyn Puckett Endowed Scholarship

The Allen and Marilyn Puckett Endowed Scholarship was established to provide support for students at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

S. A. Enlightenment Scholarship

The S. A. Enlightenment Scholarship was established with a gift from the S. A. Enlightenment foundation to provide scholarship support for students from predominantly Muslim countries.

Marilyn Dunton Simpson Endowed Scholarship

Established by Marilyn Dunton Simpson in 2009, this scholarship provides support for students at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

Maurice H. Stans Endowed Scholarship Fund

Established in 1999 by the Stans Trust, the Maurice H. Stans Endowed Scholarship was created for the purpose of providing support for African- American students—anyone born or adopted into the designated lineal ancestry who is not a minor.

Terralynn and Earl Swift Endowed Scholarship

Established in 2006 by Terralynn and Earl Swift, this endowed scholarship was created to provide assistance to students interested in studying how people from diverse cultures might discover common values in the context of global interdependency.

Flora L. Thornton Endowed Scholarship

Established by Flora L. Thornton in 2009, this scholarship is a meritbased academic scholarship for students at the School of Public Policy with demonstrated leadership potential who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

Lydell Ward Endowed Scholarship

Established by School of Public Policy Board of Visitors member Beti Ward, the Lydell Ward Endowed Scholarship is awarded to qualified female students pursuing a Master in Public Policy degree.

J. McDonald and Judy Williams School of Public Policy Scholarship

Established by J. McDonald Williams and Judy Williams in 1999, this scholarship is designed to assist deserving School of Public Policy students who are members of the Church of Christ.