human resource management phd scholarships

20 Great Scholarships for Human Resources Degrees

• Published August 2, 2016
• Last Updated October 5, 2023

Scholarships for human resources degrees are numerous. They help prevent budding HR specialists from being bogged down with high tuition costs. At the bachelor’s and master’s level, human resources programs prepare students for helping organizations maximize their employees’ talents and productivity.

Human resources majors are trained to handle staffing issues from recruitment to payroll and employee benefits for a satisfied workforce. Having an HR degree opens doors for:

• labor relations directors
• compensation managers
• training specialists
• position classifiers
• head hunters
• employee education consultants, and more

Some graduates excel as Chief Human Resource Officers (CHRO) with a median annual salary of $239,248! Master the strategies for linking employees with management by applying for these 20 great human resources scholarships.

1. Allen E. Grotke Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 28th

The Allen E. Grotke Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the Johnson County Employee Relations Resources Association. It provides $1,000 awards to current or past graduates from the county’s high schools who are pursuing degrees in:

• human resources

Tennessee residents must:

• be enrolling full-time at an accredited U.S. college
• maintain a cumulative GPA above 2.0
• submit two non-family letters of recommendation
• write an essay discussing why they’ve chosen employee relations fields.

Allen E. Grotke Scholarship Fund 398 South Main Street P.O. Box 217 Franklin, IN 46131 (317) 738-2213 [email protected] Scholarship Link

2. Anthony C. Russo Scholarship

Deadline: September 30th

The Anthony C. Russo Scholarship is valued at $3,000. It’s awarded yearly by the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association to support students seeking master’s degrees in:

• labor relations
• industrial psychology
• political science
• public administration

Eligible candidates must:

• be U.S. citizens
• attend accredited graduate schools
• have government work experience
• display strong interest in the public sector

Another $1,500 is available for NPELRA members to attend the Annual Training Conference.

Anthony C. Russo Scholarship 1012 S. Coast Highway Suite M Oceanside, CA 92054 (760) 433-1686 [email protected] Scholarship Link

3. Excellence in Human Resources Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

The Management Association’s Centennial Endowment Fund offers an Excellence in Human Resources Scholarship for $1,000 annually. It’s for undergraduates pursuing HR degrees in:

Qualified recipients must:

• be enrolling full-time this fall
• have rising junior or senior standing
• attend an accredited four-year business school
• exhibit leadership potential

Applications must include:

• an employment history
• letter of reference
• 300-word typed essay on human resources contributions.

Excellence in Human Resources Scholarship 9805 45th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55442 (800) 488-4845 [email protected] Scholarship Link

4. Fred Foulkes Scholarship Award

Deadline: April 19th

The Northeast Human Resources Association offers the Fred Foulkes Scholarship Award. The annual award is for $5,000. It goes to three full-time graduate students who are attending accredited New England colleges in:

• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut

They must maintain academic excellence. These scholarships for human resources degrees require:

• submitting an online application
• current resume
• transcript copy
• 750-word HR career goals essay
• two recommendation letters.

Fred Foulkes Scholarship Award 490 Virginia Road, Suite 32 Concord, MA 01742 (781) 235-2900 [email protected] Scholarship Link

5. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Scholarships

Deadline: May 20th

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education offers five Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Scholarships for $1,000 per year. They go to students pursuing degrees in:

• hospitality
• information technology
• other business fields

To qualify, candidates must:

• be enrolled full-time at one of the system’s 14 universities
• reside in Pennsylvania
• maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• have passed 60+ college credits
• show genuine commitment to the hospitality industry.

Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Scholarships 2986 North 2nd Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 720-4000 [email protected] Scholarship Link

6. HR Payroll Systems Student Scholarship

As a leading HRIS website, HR Payroll Systems funds one $1,000 Student Scholarship annually. It’s to financially help college students earning bachelor’s or master’s degrees in:

• organizational development

Interested applicants must:

• be currently enrolled at an accredited United States college

have completed at least one HR course

• carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
• demonstrate a passion for human resources
• attach at least one faculty recommendation.

HR Payroll Systems Student Scholarship 225 East Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32801 (866) 574-4968 Scholarship Link

7. Human Resource Leadership Awards

Deadline: March 13th

The Human Resource Leadership Awards of Greater Washington provide four $3,000 scholarships for human resources degrees annually. Eligible are undergraduates or graduate students attending accredited institutions in:

• the District of Columbia

Eligible HR majors must:

• maintain a minimum B average
• have active SHRM membership
• intend to pursue professional certification
• have not already won

Selected scholars are invited to attend the VIP Awards Reception.

Human Resource Leadership Awards 2807 North Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 284-5916 [email protected] Scholarship Link

8. IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowships

Deadline: June 6th

Offering $2,000, the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) administers two Graduate Study Fellowships. They’re for outstanding students pursuing master’s degrees in:

• business administration
• related fields

Qualified applicants must:

• have at least two years of HR experience
• already hold a four-year bachelor’s
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• demonstrate management potential
• have IPMA-HR membership
• be committed to the public sector.

IPMA-HR Graduate Study Fellowships 1617 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 549-7100 [email protected] Scholarship Link

9. J.C. Cote Human Resources Scholarship

Deadline: March 21st

The Arkansas SHRM State Council presents the J.C. Cote Human Resources Scholarship. This annual  $1,000 award is for juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have declared a major or business concentration in human resource management. Eligibility criteria mandates:

• attending an accredited four-year college in Arkansas
• having completed at least six HR credits
• achieving a cumulative GPA above 3.0
• being actively involved in an SHRM Student Chapter.

The selection process includes a panel interview.

J.C. Cote Human Resources Scholarship P.O. Box 7801 Arkadelphia, AR 71999 (870) 230-5377 [email protected] Scholarship Link

10. Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 30th

The Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund is named for the retired Executive Director. It was established by the Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut (HRACC) to award $1,000 to full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resources or business with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection is based upon candidates’:

• academic record
• financial need
• sponsorship from an HRACC member
• volunteer service
• interview quality
• genuine interest in human resources careers.

Jim Roberts Scholarship Fund 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 06053 (860) 827-5789 [email protected] Scholarship Link

11. Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 5th

In honor of the Southern Methodist grad who served 20 years as HR Director of the Texas Water Commission, the Austin Human Resource Management Association awards the Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to $2,000 annually. Eligible full-time and part-time students must reside in Central Texas, major in human resources or related fields, have active SHRM membership, achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and demonstrate leadership skills.

Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship 7000 Mopac Expressway, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78731 (800) 561-2096 [email protected] Scholarship Link

12. Larry Burk Undergraduate Scholarship

Deadline: November 1st

As the world’s largest HR association, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers several scholarships for human resources degrees. They include the $2,500 Larry Burk Undergraduate Scholarship. Qualified student members must:

• be pursuing a bachelor’s degree concentrated in HR
• attend an accredited U.S. university with an SHRM chapter
• have passed at least one human resources course
• have unmet financial need
• carry a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Larry Burk Undergraduate Scholarship 1800 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 535-6020 [email protected] Scholarship Link

13. Michael R. Losey Scholarship

Deadline: October 23rd

The Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association sponsors the Michael R. Losey Scholarship. The award is $2,000 for undergraduates and $3,500 for graduate students who are majoring in:

• organizational management
• industrial relations

Applicants must:

attend an accredited college in the Philadelphia area

have one or more semesters remaining

have internship experience

write a one-page essay about rising HR trends.

Michael R. Losey Scholarship 2119 Country Line Road Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 551-4736 [email protected] Scholarship Link

14. NAHR Foundation Graduate Scholarships

The National Academy of Human Resources Foundation’s Graduate Scholarships bestow $5,000 annually. They’re for full-time students enrolled in master’s programs in:

• industrial/organizational psychology
• other personnel-related majors

Judges look for scholars:

• attending accredited U.S. institutions
• actively involved in SHRM activities
• maintaining a minimum 3.5 GPA
• having completed at least six graduate credits
• showing dedication to HR management careers.

NAHR Foundation Graduate Scholarships 5420 Challen Place Downers Grove, IL 60515 (630) 215-5053 [email protected] Scholarship Link

15. Oracle Corporate Scholars Program

Deadline: April 4th

Through the United Negro College Fund, the Oracle Corporate Scholars Program is hosted annually to award up to $10,000 for African American students majoring in select business disciplines. These include human resources and organizational leadership. To apply, candidates must:

• attend an accredited HBCU
• have U.S. citizenship
• attain at least sophomore status
• maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
• submit an impressive resume

Recipients are offered summer internships at Oracle headquarters.

Oracle Corporate Scholars Program 1805 7th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 810-0258 [email protected] Scholarship Link

16. Robert W. Denomy Leadership Award

Deadline: June 1st

The Robert W. Denomy Leadership Award is worth $1,000. It’s presented annually by the Northwest Human Resource Management Association. It’s for dues-paying SHRM members who are attending accredited colleges in:

Award qualifications require:

• being enrolled in undergraduate HR programs
• having good academic standing
• serving in a local student SHRM chapter
• exhibiting leadership ability
• submitting two letters of recommendation.

Robert W. Denomy Leadership Award P.O. Box 13515 Portland, OR 97213 (503) 244-4294 ext. 203 [email protected] Scholarship Link

17. Roger P. Lette Student Scholarship

Deadline: November 30th

The Roger P. Lette Student Scholarship was created by the North Texas SHRM. It awards $1,000 annually. Eligible are undergraduates attending an accredited four-year business school in the Greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a human resources major or concentration. Recipients are chosen based on their:

• academic merit
• SHRM chapter involvement
• volunteer work
• two letters of recommendation
• essay writing skills
• commitment to HR

There’s also a $500 SHRM-CP Certification Scholarship available.

Roger P. Lette Student Scholarship PO Box 571358 Dallas, TX 75357 [email protected] Scholarship Link

18. Susan R. Meisinger Graduate Fellowship

Deadline: August 15th

The Susan R. Meisinger Graduate Fellowship is a renewable, $10,000 award. It’s gifted by the Society for Human Resource Management to first-time master’s students, including MBAs, attending accredited U.S. graduate schools for human resources. Successful applicants will:

• be active SHRM members
• hold HR certification
• have at least five years of industry experience
• achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA
• exhibit the business acumen for contributing to the human resources profession.

Susan R. Meisinger Graduate Fellowship 1800 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 535-6020 [email protected] Scholarship Link

19. Walter Vaughn Human Resources Scholarship

Deadline: March 14th

The Walter Vaughn Human Resources Scholarship is administered by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. It distributes $2,500 to African American undergrad or graduate students working full-time towards a degree in:

• similar degree

Eligible recipients must:

• have at least one semester remaining
• attend a regionally accredited U.S. university
• display excellent leadership abilities
• be actively involved in extra-curricular services.

Walter Vaughn Human Resources Scholarship 777 N. Capitol Street NE, Suite 550 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 408-9300 ext. 114 [email protected] Scholarship Link

20. Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

The American Indian Graduate Centers offers a few scholarships for human resources degrees, such as the $2,500 Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship. Eligible are enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized tribes. They must be a pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in:

• information technology.
• have at least one-quarter Indian blood
• attend an accredited college full-time
• demonstrate significant financial need

Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship 3701 San Mateo NE #200 Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 881-4584 [email protected] Scholarship Link

Investing in a college degree doesn’t guarantee gainful employment or a steady paycheck. But those who select a human resources degree can rest assured that the field is ripe with job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resource management will keep growing faster-than-average by 9 percent through 2024. That’s approximately 10,800 new jobs to be filled with skilled personnel administrators for managing corporate human capital. Winning some of these great scholarships for human resources degrees can go a long way towards affording your advancement into this business specialty.

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