Republican Party Scholarships

Offers from the Party of Lincoln

The organization that evolved into today’s Republican Party, which is one of the country’s two largest political parties, first met in 1854 in Ripon, Wisconsin. The name “Republican” was bestowed on the party in a newspaper editorial later that year, and toward the end of the decade the party assumed control of the House of Representatives. At that time in the country’s history, slavery was a major point of contention, and the Republicans took the side of the abolitionists.

When the Republican presidential candidate, Abraham Lincoln, won the presidency in 1860, that marked the beginning of the party’s period of dominance in American politics, which did not end until the presidential election of 1932. Herbert Hoover lost in a landslide to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and the era of divided bipartisan government began. Today, the divide between the two parties is significant: only at the time of the Civil War were the two farther apart.

Below are some examples of the scholarships sponsored by the Republican Party. Some require party membership and others do not.

Scholarships and Internships

National Federation of Republican Women

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) funds two scholarships and one internship, each with its own criteria, deadlines, and award amount. All are one-time awards given to women, and you can download applications for them from the NFRW website. Here are your choices:

• The National Pathfinder Scholarship is given to female students who are either at or above the sophomore level or graduate students. There are three annual awards made in the amount of $2,500 each.
• The Betty Rendel Scholarship goes to undergraduates majoring in political science, government, or economics who have finished at least two years of college. The three annual awards bring $1,000 each.
• The Dorothy Andrews Kabis Memorial Internship gives a student who is at least 21, or a junior, a chance to work at the party’s national headquarters in Alexandria. Each recipient will receive housing, round-trip airfare, and a small amount to spend.Applicants must have clerical skills, a working knowledge of government, and campaign experience. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who plans to make a career working in political organizations.

California Federation of Republican Women

The California Federation of Republican Women (CFRW) hands out the President Ronald Reagan Scholarship every year to a female undergraduate who has finished two years in college and is majoring in political science, communication, or planning to study law. Applicants must live in California and be registered Republicans. The scholarship is worth $2,000, and you can download an application from the CFRW site.

With your application, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a transcript, a California Federation of Republican Women certification, and you may also send a photo of yourself.

New Providence Republican Women

The New Providence Republican Women have established the Dolores Brooks Scholarship for a graduating high school senior who is both female and dedicated to the party’s principles. Applicants must live in Northern Virginia, attend one of a list of high schools, maintain a 3.5 GPA, and show a commitment to politics or public affairs. The one-time award of $1,000 will be paid directly to the recipient’s school during her first term in college.

Virginia Federation of Republican Women

The Virginia Federation of Republican Women hands out three VFRW Political Studies Scholarships for $1,000 each every year. To be eligible, you must be a female undergraduate or graduate student attending an accredited school in the state of Virginia. Applicants must study in one of these fields: government, political science, or law, and must submit an essay on Republican women and political activism.

North Shore Republican Women

The North Shore Republican Women, located in Lake Conroe, Texas, give a $1,000 scholarship every year to a female student who attends either Willis or Montgomery High School. Applicants must be interested in working with the Republican party (you must submit a reference letter to that effect), and the application asks for details about your high school efforts (for example, your extracurricular activities and GPA).

Newport Harbor Republican Women

The Newport Harbor Republican Women, of California, sponsor an annual scholarship program for outstanding high school seniors, giving up to three scholarships for $1,000 each every year. Scholarships are reserved for students in the Newport Mesa School District, and recipients also have the opportunity to work in the office of one of California’s legislators.