Scholarships & Awards

The Department of Sociology is proud to sponsor various scholarships and prizes in recognition of the outstanding academic work produced by our undergraduate students. Scholarships support you during your academic career while research awards recognize cutting-edge academic research in the field of sociology. We encourage you to apply for either a scholarship or a research opportunity—or both—during your time as an undergraduate in sociology.

The Barbara Newsome Internship Award

The Barbara Newsome Award provides financial support for sociology undergraduates who engage in the community through unpaid internships related to their major. The award provides a $2,000 stipend for a minimum of 120 internship hours, and it is awarded three times a year.

Eligibility: You must be a declared sociology major in good academic standing and working a minimum of 120 internship hours.
Apply: See the CLA Undergraduate Internship Grant for more information and to apply.  We take applications 3 times a year.
Deadline: Applications for Summer 2024 open on March 25th and close on May 20th. 

Sociology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

The Sociology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award is for sociology majors in good academic standing who are completing their own research involving social sciences. This is an annual award for up to $500 toward books and tuition during the summer or fall semester.

Eligibility: You must be a declared sociology major in good academic standing and completing original research involving social problems and/or solutions to social problems.
Apply: Submit the SURF application the to the Department of Sociology at 909 Social Sciences Building.
Deadline: Applications for Spring 2024 SURF must be submitted to the Main Office (Room 909 Social Sciences Building) by Monday, November 20th, 2023.

The Knoke Family Scholarship

The Knoke Family Scholarship was established in 2022 by UMN Sociology Professor David Knoke and Joann Knoke. This new scholarship fund for Sociology majors will award two, $5,000 awards annually, with preference given to first-generation students to help them navigate the higher education landscape.

First-generation students often serve as role models within their family, and carry the dreams of their parents and grandparents on their shoulders. David and Joann Knoke recognize how critical additional funding is for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

The first person in her family to go to college, Joann graduated from the University of Toledo with a degree in education and taught elementary school for many years. David’s mother was also the first in her family to graduate college, and went on to teach home economics. Paying it forward as a “thank you” to the parents, teachers, friends, and organizations who helped David and Joann with their education, the Knoke Family Scholarship aims to empower students with the support they need to thrive, especially for those first-generation students whose transition to college can be challenging.

Applications are now open and are completed through the University's general scholarship application in Spring Semester - due no later than 9:00 AM on April 7th, 2023:
https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/scholarships

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) supports research or creative projects undertaken in partnership with a faculty member. Financial awards of up to $1,700 are offered twice a year to full-time undergraduates. These grants provide students an excellent opportunity to receive a stipend for work on a research project of their own design.

Eligibility: You must be a declared sociology major, in good academic standing, and conducting research or a creative project in partnership with a faculty member.
Apply: Visit the UROP website or stop by their office in 233 Appleby Hall for more information.
Deadline: Visit the UROP website for details about upcoming deadlines.
 

University Honors Program

University Honors Program (UHP) has information and application materials for scholarships if you have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, even if you are not in the University Honors Program. These scholarships range from general scholarships for academic achievement to scholarships targeted to specific student populations: non-traditional students, new transfer students, minority students, and/or students with particular academic interests. The University Honors Program can also help you find information about national scholarships and can help you apply for these awards.

Eligibility: You must be a declared sociology major, and have a GPA of at least 3.5.
Apply: Visit the University Honors Website

Other Scholarship Resources

You should also consider applying for college-wide and university-wide awards and scholarships.

Scholarships and fellowships for minority students