We offer fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships to students of philanthropy.
M.A. Scholarships
Application-based scholarships
- COVID-19 Relief Scholarship
The COVID-19 health crisis has negatively impacted many people who want to pursue a degree from our school. The COVID-19 Relief Scholarship will provide $500 per class for Indiana residents and $1,500 per class for non-residents who have experienced some hardship. This scholarship is available for the summer 2021 semester.
- Internship Scholarship
We are proud to offer this scholarship to help offset the burden you face when completing an unpaid internship.
The scholarship is open to graduate students who are participating in their approved 150-hour internship in the spring 2021 semester. Graduate scholarships are valued at $2,250. The deadline to apply is December 31.
You must have secured an approved internship before submitting an application for this scholarship.- Campbell Family Scholarship for Inclusive Philanthropy
The goal of the Campbell Family Scholarship for Inclusive Philanthropy is to provide more opportunities for people of color and other under-represented groups to assume leadership roles in philanthropy.
This scholarship is open to our online graduate certificate or master's students from traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education.
Students may apply for the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students must reapply each semester.
- Indiana residents receive $500 per class
- Non-Indiana residents receive $1,500 per class
Deadlines:
- Fall – August 1
- Spring – December 15
- Summer – April 15
Scholarships will be awarded beginning for fall 2020 pending approval from the Indiana University Foundation.
- Emily Student Book Scholarship
This award is for Indianapolis students in a philanthropic studies program (undergraduate or graduate, including Ph.D.). International students studying in Indianapolis are eligible to apply. Students must be in good academic standing.
The award is for the purchase of books required for philanthropic studies courses up to $300 per semester.
Priority Deadlines:
• Spring Awards – January 17
• Summer Awards – May 1
• Fall Awards – August 1- IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Student Internship Fund
Multiple donors to the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy have established a fund at the Indiana University Foundation to create an internship assistance fund for students enrolled in the undergrad or graduate programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
These funds will be used to help defray the costs of internships for students, as well as to provide a resource for living expenses, especially when the internship is without pay.
Eligible students may apply at any time during the year as funds will be given on a rolling basis. Students may request support regardless of whether their internship is paid or unpaid, but preference will be given to internships that are unpaid and are not in the greater Indianapolis area.
The amount of funds paid to the recipient(s) will depend on the student need and the amount available in the fund. The committee will make every attempt to award an amount that is feasible for the student based on the opportunity at hand and the overall needs of every student applying.
Students interested in this opportunity will work directly with the department of academic programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Apply for internship assistance
Fellowships
- ZFI (Zakat Foundation Institute) Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship
We are excited to launch the ZFI (Zakat Foundation Institute) Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship. This one-year fellowship program requires you to take 18 graduate credits at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy leading to a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University.
- McKinney Fellowship
This competitive fellowship is designed for students admitted to the master of arts in philanthropic studies program with an interest in pursuing a career centered on conservation and environmental issues. We are interested in finding leaders who fundraise effectively, advocate passionately, and want to make a positive global impact. Preference will be given to applicants interested in staying in Indiana upon completion of the program.
Recipients will receive a scholarship equal to full tuition for the master’s degree. In addition, students will be offered a community-based graduate assistantship. Our graduate assistants are places in an organization, work 20 hours per week, and earn a stipend and health insurance.
- Hearst Minority Fellowship
The Hearst Minority Fellowship allows two minority students each year to come to Indianapolis to study philanthropy through the M.A. and Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies degree programs.
Apply for this fellowship
Graduate assistantships
Graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to incoming students. Awardees receive health insurance and a stipend with a work requirement. Based on the competitiveness of your application, you may also receive tuition assistance.

I am so grateful to be a Hearst Fellowship Recipient. During my first year, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for 10 hours a week. This preset hourly arrangement simultaneously provided me ample time to dedicate to my graduate courses. The volunteer experience complemented my course work and therefore laid a strong foundation for my academic career.
Brittany Jenkins, M.A. '16