Public Affairs Student Services Center

Scholarships & Financial Support

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In addition to the financial aid services offered by CSU's Office of Financial Aid, the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs provides the following forms of financial support:

Scholarships and Fellowships

The application deadline for 2024-2025 scholarships has passed. 2025-2026 applications will be available Spring 2025.

For Undergraduate Students:

AKA Family Legacy Scholarship
For rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to undergraduates, students with demonstrated financial need, and students with years of experience beyond high school, whether significant work histories, family commitments, or balancing work and family responsibilities.  To be considered for this award, applicants must respond to the question: “What obstacles have you overcome to pursue your degree from the Levin School, and what do you plan to accomplish with your degree?”

Mary Brainard Trust Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a Brooklyn High School graduate who is or will be attending the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at CSU in pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Thomas Campbell Endowed Scholarship
For a full-time junior or senior majoring in Urban Affairs, with a demonstrated financial need, in the top one-quarter of the class, with a GPA of 3.0 or better and who is a resident of the seven-county greater Cleveland area.

Campbell-Steinbacher Endowed Fellowship
Eligible students will be rising seniors or seniors in one of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs undergraduate programs. The fellowship will be awarded to full-time students only and will provide full-time tuition and fees and a stipend. The fellow will be engaged in research for 20 hours per week with a faculty member of the department. Additional information about the fellowship and application are available here.

Mercedes Cotner Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. Preference will be given to graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Undergraduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Recipients must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per academic year to remain eligible for the scholarship, which is renewable pending eligibility and available funds.

John M. and Ruth Jean Coyne Endowed Scholarship for Public Service
For undergraduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with an interest in a public service career and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to students from Brooklyn, Ohio who meet all other criteria.

William M. Denihan Endowed Scholarship for Leadership in Government
For undergraduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with demonstrated financial need.  Renewable pending continued good academic standing and progress toward graduation.  Preference will be given to students with years of life experience beyond high school and experience working in the public sector, whether significant work histories and family commitments, or balancing work and family commitments.  An essay is required for this scholarship; in the space provided on the application form, applicants should respond to the following: “What experience to you have working in the public sector, what obstacles have you overcome to pursue a degree from the Levin School and what do you plan to accomplish with your degree?”

Robert E. Hagan and Ada Hagan Public Service Scholarship
Awarded through the Cleveland Foundation, for part-time or full-time students to further their education toward a public service career. Award is based on evidence of commitment to public service, community activities, financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship requires the completion of an external application. If interested, please visit https://www.collegenowgc.org/cleveland-foundation-scholarship-listing/robert-e-and-ada-hagan-public-service-scholarship/ for information.

Rhoda Katzel Endowed Scholarship
For undergraduate students enrolled in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs.  Recipients must be Ohio residents.  Preference is given to students with life experience beyond high school (i.e. significant work history, family commitments, or balancing work and family commitments).  An essay is required for this scholarship; in the space provided on the application form, applicants should describe the obstacles they have overcome to pursue a degree from the Levin School and what they plan to accomplish with their degree.

Robert P. and Leatrice B. Madison Endowed Scholarship
For juniors, seniors, or graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who are graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, with demonstrated financial need.

Steven and Dolly Minter Scholarship
For undergraduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with an expressed interest in urban and community development; preference will be given to first generation college students and those with high grades in courses related to urban and community development. In the space provided on the application form, applicants should describe their community service involvement and commitment.

Richard W. and Patricia R. Pogue Endowed Scholarship
For undergraduate juniors or seniors in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs in good academic standing, with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to participants in the Columbus Seminar.

Richard E. Sarosi Scholarship Fund for Urban Affairs
For juniors, seniors or graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to a student who is interested or engaged with the Hungarian community, culture and/or language. Applicants should describe their connection to the Hungarian community, culture and/or language, if any.  

Roberta Steinbacher Endowed Scholarship
For juniors or seniors in one of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs undergraduate programs with demonstrated financial need and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.

Roberta Steinbacher/Mareyjoyce Green Endowed Scholarship
For students in one of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs undergraduate programs with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

David and Pat Sweet Scholarship in Public Service and Civic Education - for students pursuing a degree in Urban Studies who have demonstrated an interest in public service and civic education.

Cuyahoga County Mayor's Secretaries Association Scholarship
For juniors or seniors enrolled in one of the majors in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with an interest in municipal government. Recipient must rank in the top quarter of the class.

UpDowntown, Inc. Scholarship
For juniors or seniors majoring in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better who are residents of greater Cleveland with demonstrated financial need. Award may be applied to tuition only.

Urban Affairs Alumni Organization Endowed Scholarship
For a junior or senior in one of the majors in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

For Graduate Students:

Diversity Leadership and Change Management Scholarships
Students entering or continuing their studies in the Diversity Leadership and Change Management program may learn more and apply for dedicated scholarships and graduate assistantships on the Diversity Institute Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships page

BP America Inc. Endowed Fellowship
For a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs MSUS or MPA student interested in the revitalization of urban neighborhoods with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need from the seven-county greater Cleveland area. Award may be applied to tuition only.

Boyle/Fagan Endowed Scholarship  
For graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a minimum GPA of 3.0; preference will be given to students in the Master of Urban Planning and Development program, those who are or were interning/employed by a business or organization dedicated to improving the residential quality of cities, and/or those with demonstrated talent and high potential for success in the revitalization of cities.  To be considered for this award, applicants must respond to the question: “How do you plan to improve the quality of life in urban environments with your graduate degree from the Levin School?”

Mary Brainard Trust Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a Brooklyn High School graduate who is or will be attending the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at CSU in pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

John M. and Ruth Jean Coyne Endowed Scholarship for Public Service
For graduate students in the final year of the MPA program, who have an interest in a public service career and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Preference will be given to students from Brooklyn, Ohio who meet all other criteria.

Dively Fellowship
For Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs graduate students with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better. Award based on demonstrated financial need with preference for students from the seven-county greater Cleveland area. Award may be applied to tuition only.

GAR Endowed Scholarship
For Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Ph.D. students exhibiting financial need.

Robert E. Hagan and Ada Hagan Public Service Scholarship
Awarded through the Cleveland Foundation, for part-time or full-time students to further their education toward a public service career. Award is based on evidence of commitment to public service, community activities, financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship requires the completion of an external application. If interested, please visit https://www.collegenowgc.org/cleveland-foundation-scholarship-listing/robert-e-and-ada-hagan-public-service-scholarship/ for information.

Joseph S. Kreinberg Scholarship
For Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs graduate students in their final year in the MPA program and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Norman Krumholz Endowed Scholarship
Given to a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs graduate planning student who demonstrates an interest in equity planning, and/or neighborhood planning.

Mercedes Cotner Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. Preference will be given to graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Undergraduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Recipients must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per academic year to remain eligible for the scholarship, which is renewable pending eligibility and available funds.

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Fellowship
For a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs MUPD or MSUS student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and with an interest in revitalizing the City of Cleveland. Preference given to students from the seven-county greater Cleveland area.

Catherine A. & David P. O'Neill Hope Scholarship Endowment
For graduate students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to a need-based student who is affiliated with the Urban Community School, St. Malachi's Church, or a resident of the City of Cleveland.

Richard E. Sarosi Scholarship Fund for Urban Affairs
For juniors, seniors or graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  Preference will be given to a student who is interested or engaged with the Hungarian community, culture and/or language. Applicants should describe their connection to the Hungarian community, culture and/or language, if any.  

Roby and Donna Simons Family Scholarship Fund
Scholarship assistance for Urban Affairs and CSU students who enroll and complete a travel-abroad course through CSU. Preference will be given to Levin School undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the School's section (UST) of a CSU travel abroad course, followed by other CSU students enrolled in a UST section, and other CSU students with financial need.

Dominic Tomaro Scholarship
For Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs MPA students interested in Public Works Management. Preference given to students working in, or aspiring to work in, local government or public works.

Robert P. and Leatrice B. Madison Endowed Scholarship
For juniors, seniors, or graduate students in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who are graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, with demonstrated financial need.
 
Student Awards and Prizes

Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs honors its outstanding students with the following awards and prizes:

Howard I. Bruce Award
Presented annually to that student enrolled in the Master's degree program at Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs who most closely epitomizes the qualities of excellence, industriousness and personal integrity that characterized Howard I. Bruce.

George S. Dively Prize
Presented annually to a student who exhibits high academic achievement and outstanding performance as a neighborhood intern.

Jerome S. Karaffa Prize
Presented annually to a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs undergraduate student who has demonstrated a keen interest in, and commitment to urban preservation and who has achieved high academic ranking.

Russell Kashian and Susan Oneson Award
For doctoral students who successfully author or co-author an article that is accepted for publication or is published in a peer-reviewed journal.

John C. Little Award
Presented annually to a graduating senior of Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs who most closely epitomizes the qualities of excellence, intellectual curiosity, and personal integrity that characterized John C. Little.

Sylvester Murray Award
Presented annually to a graduate student of Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs' Master of Public Administration program who has excelled academically and who exhibits outstanding potential for future success.

Wallace G. Teare Prize
Presented annually to a graduating Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs undergraduate or graduate student who exemplifies the professional ideals of Mr. Teare, a life-long advocate for quality housing for low-income and elderly people.

Larry D. Terry Ph.D. Award
Presented to a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs doctoral graduate who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and scholarship.

For more information about awards and prizes please contact your academic program director.

Graduate Assistantships and Paid Internships

For further information on Graduate Assistantships, see graduate assistantships, or contact Dave Arrighi: urbanprograms@csuohio.edu. For information on paid internships see internships.