Eligibility & Cost
Who is Eligible?
- Students of all majors and from all campuses are eligible to participate
- The Columbus Program is open primarily to undergraduate juniors and seniors.
- Students who complete the Columbus Program curriculum and one to three other prescribed courses will have fulfilled the requirements of a minor in political science.
- A grade point average of 2.50 is required to participate in the Columbus Program.
- Participation in the Columbus Program is selective and internship slots are limited.
If interested, contact Program Director Sarah Schmidt at sschmi16@kent.edu. Include the following information in an e-mail:
- Name
- Major
- Year in your program of study
- Banner I.D. number
If you want to apply, Click the "apply" link and complete the online application. You are encouraged to contact Director Patton first, to learn more about the program.
Cost of the Program
The cost will cover Kent State University tuition and housing. Housing will be subsidized and will cost no more than residence halls at the university.
Internships may or may not be paid. There may be scholarships and stipends available.
Scholarship funds are available to assist students participating in CPSI:
- Jack Gargan CPII Scholarship Fund — Dr. Jack Gargan, a noted scholar of Ohio politics, left an endowment to help students with financial need to join the Columbus Program in State Issues. Professor Gargan taught innumerable graduates of Kent State University who went on to become leaders in state and local government; his spirit lives on in this scholarship fund.
- Vernon and Barbara Sykes Endowment Fund for the Columbus Program — Senator Vernon Sykes of Akron, emeritus professor of the Kent State Department of Political Science, formalized and directed the Columbus Program for close to 20 years. The Sykes’ endowment ensures students do not face financial barriers to participating in his career-launching program.
