Robert M. O’dell Endowed Scholarship in Public Administration

Robert M. O'Dell Endowed Scholarship

The Robert M. O'Dell Endowed Scholarship is designed to support students pursuing degrees in public administration, particularly those specializing in finance. The scholarship honors Robert M. O'Dell, the former city treasurer of Los Angeles, and is administered by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO).

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Robert M. O'Dell Endowed Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Degree Program:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a public administration degree program.

Academic Standing:

• Applicants must be in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Enrollment Status:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time, upper-division undergraduate or graduate student in public administration and remain a full-time student in good standing during the academic year in which the award is received.

Award Value

• Award Amount: Four (4) scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded for the academic year.

Application Process

Contact Financial Aid Office:

• Applicants must reach out to the financial aid department at their campus to confirm eligibility and get more details on the application process.

Personal Statement:

Applicants must submit a personal statement addressing the following (300-word count for each):

• What experience has impacted your personal growth?
• Tell us about a time you failed. What did you learn from that experience?
• Why are you pursuing your major? How does it relate to your career aspirations?
• Provide an example of service beyond the classroom (e.g., significant family obligations, helping others, political action, work/volunteer/internship experience).
• Why is this example significant to you?
• Scholarship Invitation: If selected, scholarship recipients will be invited by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers to attend their annual professional conference in the spring. 

Application Deadline

Deadline Information:

• Applicants should contact the financial aid department at their campus for the spring application deadline.