Endowed Funds and Current Scholarships

Below is a list of scholarships available to currently enrolled students at the Graduate School of Political Management. The GSPM Student Services team will send application instructions and deadlines when applicable to current students interested in applying for scholarships.

Endowed Funds

The Founding Dean Christopher Arterton Scholarship Fund

The Graduate School of Political Management was founded by Neil Fabricant and Christopher Arterton in 1986. Since then, Dr. Arterton has dedicated himself to making the school into what it is today. Over its history, GSPM has constructed an innovative and highly regarded curriculum, recruited an excellent faculty, attracted quality students, provided them with the best technical training and ethical guidance, and placed them in significant professional positions. Since its founding, the school has emerged as the leading institution for the study and teaching of political management in the United States and abroad.  Dr. Arterton has played a vital leadership role and the success of GSPM is due mostly to his passion for politics and his students, alumni, faculty and staff.

The Linda Johnson Memorial Fund

Created by the Class of 2009, The Linda Johnson Memorial Fund is in memory of Professor Johnson's late wife Linda Johnson. This fund is a testament to not only the memory of Linda Johnson, but to the profound effect that Professor Johnson has had on his students from year to year. The strength of both Dr. Johnson and his wife, throughout both her life and her illness, was an inspiration to all who were around them.

The Jack Gerard Endowment

The Jack Gerard Endowment provides a scholarship for students who studied as undergraduates at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The donor, Jack Gerard is a former member of the GSPM Board of Advisors and an alumnus of BYU.

The Kelly J. Purcell Credit Union Memorial Fund

The Kelly J. Purcell Credit Union Memorial Fund was endowed in 2007 in memory of Kelly Purcell, GSPM ´00, who tragically passed away in 2006. The fund was created by gifts from the California and Nevada Credit Union League and its member credit unions.

The Laurence F. Lane Graduate Scholarship in Political Management

Established in 2000 by Laurence F. Lane, B.A. '68, M.A. '76, a former member of the GSPM Board of Advisors. The income earned by this fund provides financial assistance to students wishing to pursue a degree in Political Management to further their careers in the growing field of professional political management, including governanace, elections, lobbying, and issues management.

The Robert M. McGlotten Endowment

Established in 2001 by Robert M. McGlotten, a former member of the GSPM Board of Advisors, and Cheryl G. McGlotten. The income earned by this fund provides unrestricted support to GW's Graduate School of Political Management at the discretion of the Director.

O'Dwyer Fund for Student Loan Forgiveness

Funded by GSPM board member Brian J. O'Dwyer and his wife Marianna, the O'Dwyer Fund for Student Loan Forgiveness encourages GSPM graduates to take jobs in the public sector by helping to pay some of their student loan debt. With their support, the O'Dwyers hoped that graduates would pursue careers in the public sector rather than feeling pressured to take higher-paying jobs in other fields.

The O’Dwyer Fund offers “forgivable” loans to recent GSPM graduates who carry significant loan debt and who are employed in the public sector. These loans are to be used to pay down the graduate’s private or federally subsidized student loans that were used for undergraduate or GSPM studies. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Tuition & Financial Assistance page.

Current Scholarships

The Detore Graduate Scholarship in Political Management

The Detore Graduate Scholarship in Political Management is funded annually by former GSPM Board of Advisors member Bob Detore.

The Garry South Annual Scholarship

The Garry South Annual Scholarship is funded annually by former GSPM Board of Advisors member Garry South.

The Jack Gerard Annual Scholarship

The Jack Gerard Annual Scholarship is funded annually by former GSPM Board of Advisors member Jack Gerard.

The NABPAC Annual Scholarship

The NABPAC Annual Scholarship is funded by the National Association of Business Political Action Committees and is for students working as a PAC manager or at a PAC; or intending to work as a PAC manager; or believes that campaign finance knowledge is a critical element in his/her career development and is studying in the PACs and Political Management graduate certificate program.

Interested students who are currently enrolled or who are entering the program should contact Program Director Dr. Casey Burgat via email or at 202-994-2272. Current students interested in applying must have at least six credits remaining before completing the degree in order to qualify for the scholarship. Applicants should include a copy of their current resume.