Scholarships

The Department has funds for up to two (2) awards of $500 each during fall, spring, and summer semesters. These awards are intended to provide financial support to students participating in real-world learning experiences beyond the campus and classroom environments. A third, highest-ranking applicant, will be named the Natalis Award recipient and receive an award of $600 during the fall and spring semesters. 

Selection Criteria

1. Strength of the student's essay. The essay must be 1-2 pages in length and address the following:
   1. a description of the organization and your specific work
   2. an explanation of its relationship to your psychology major
   3. how your studies in psychology have prepared you for this experience (e.g., include specific examples from PSY classes)
   4. how you plan to draw from your knowledge of psychology during the experience
2. Financial need statement (optional, but considered). 

Additional Eligibility

Candidates must:

1. Be enrolled in University of Minnesota Twin Cities classes during the term (fall, spring, or summer) of application.
2. Have an engagement experience planned for the award term. Qualifying experiences include:
   1. Significant short-term service experiences.
   2. Unpaid internships/volunteer experiences in the local, national, or international community.
   3. Learning abroad that incorporates an internship or community-based research experience.

Deadline

The Summer 2026 Engagement Scholarship application is open. Applications are due Monday, June 15th, by noon.

The Department of Psychology is proud to offer Donald G. Paterson and Junita J. Mortensen Academic Scholarships for psychology undergraduate students. Students may receive these awards in addition to any other College of Liberal Arts award, only if financial need has been demonstrated. Each year, several $1,000 academic scholarships are awarded to undergraduate psychology students to support their education and academic enhancement within the discipline. These academic scholarships are intended to apply toward the cost of tuition, fees, and books on campus.

Selection Criteria 

1. Strength of student's academic record and promise. (GPA 3.5 and higher)
2. Depth of involvement in the discipline and clarity of academic purpose. (Students that have completed multiple upper-level PSY courses)
3. Strength of student's personal statement.
4. Past involvement in relevant extracurricular, volunteer, research, and work activities. (As evidenced in student's resume)

Eligible Candidates

Candidates must have completed 30, but typically not more than 75, semester credits by the end of the fall term prior to their application submission. Applicants with more than 75 credits should submit a statement describing their need for an additional year of academic work.

Deadline

The 2027-2028 Academic Scholarships will open early Spring 2027.

The Mortensen Study Abroad Scholarship in Psychology is awarded to a psychology major studying abroad for a summer, a semester, or an academic year. Short-term programs are eligible if the program is sponsored by a Psychology faculty. 

Selection Criteria

1. Academic performance in the major.
2. Strength of student's statement.
3. The student's plan for integration of study abroad within their psychology major academic plan.
4. Whether or not the student has had a previous study abroad experience.
   1. Preference given to those planning their first experience

Eligible Candidates

Candidates must have completed 30, but typically not more than 75, semester credits by the end of the fall term prior to their application submission. Applicants with more than 75 credits should submit a statement describing their need for an additional year of academic work.

Deadline

The 2027 Study Abroad Scholarship will open in December for Spring and Summer 2027.