CSU Robert M. O'dell Endowed Scholarship in Public Administration

The California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) established the Robert M. O’Dell endowed scholarship fund in April 1987 to honor the former city treasurer of Los Angeles. The scholarships are awarded on an alternating basis between northern and southern geographic regions of California to the 17 campuses offering degree programs in public administration.

Four (4) Scholarships for the amount of $2,500 each will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be in a degree program in public administration.
• Applicants must be in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time, upper-division undergraduate or graduate student at Fresno State majoring in public administration and must remain a full-time student in good standing during the 2024-2025 academic year in which the award is received.
• Applicants may not be a previous recipient of this award.
• Strong consideration will be given to an applicant who is also (1) a public administration major specializing in finance and/or (2) a first-generation college student.

How to apply: In addition to completing the general scholarship application on this site, applicants must provide a brief personal statement answering the following questions:

1. What experience has impacted your personal growth?
2. Tell us about a time you failed. What did you learn from that experience?
3. Why are you pursuing your major? How does it relate to your career aspirations?
4. Provide an example of service beyond the classroom (i.e., have you taken on significant family obligations, helped other in a specific way, been involved in political action, worked/volunteered/interned at a particular organization, etc.). Why is this example significant to you?

Scholarship recipients will be invited by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers to attend their annual professional conference in the spring.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 3, 2024

Please direct all questions to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Phone Number: (559) 278-2182