SHRM Scholarships

The SHRM Foundation awards scholarships totaling more than $50,000 to SHRM student members.

The following scholarships are available:

10 Undergraduate Education Awards = $2,500

1 Lisa Burke Award (undergraduates) = $2,500

4 Graduate Education Awards = $5,000

25 Awards for the new Assurance of Learning Assessment = $200

Eligibility

SHRM student members with a valid SHRM ID number as of December 1 are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Local student chapter members who are not SHRM members are not eligible to apply.

Scholarship Criteria

Scholarship recipients will primarily be selected on merit. Undergraduate applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale and must have completed at least one HR management course.

Graduate student applicants must be enrolled in a master's degree program and clearly pursuing an emphasis area in HR or an HR-related program (such as business, psychology or labor relations) and have completed at least six hours of graduate course work with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Judging Criteria

The judging committee will evaluate scholarship applicants and select scholarship winners based on the following criteria:

Academic Scholarship (both graduate and undergraduate)

  • 35% SHRM student chapter involvement and/or commitment to the HR profession
  • 30% Academic achievement
  • 25% Additional leadership and service activities/work experience
  • 10% Financial need

Assurance of Learning Exam Scholarship

  • 50% Commitment to the HR profession and future career plans
  • 40% SHRM student chapter involvement and volunteer activity
  • 10% Financial need

How to Apply

All award applications must be submitted electronically. *Do not send any application materials through the mail. All scholarship recipients will be required to provide a Social Security number or tax ID. To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must submit the following information:

Academic scholarships:*

  • Completed application
  • One-page statement of HR interest
  • Resume
  • Two letters of reference

* Grade summary or unofficial transcript may also be submitted with application, but is not required. If selected for an academic scholarship, students will be required to submit an official transcript at that time, prior to receiving funds.

Assurance of Learning scholarships:

  • Completed application
  • Half-page statement of HR interest
  • Resume
  • One letter of reference from advisor or professor

Questions? Contact Maureen Flaherty at (703) 535-6423 or SHRMScholarships@shrm.org.