May 4th Legacy Scholarships

The May 4th Legacy Scholarship Program was established by Kent State University in 2020. 

This program provides four scholarships to be given to students majoring in our Peace and Conflict Studies program. Each scholarship bears the name of one of the students killed (Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder) to serve as a lasting testament to their lives and presence at Kent State.

These scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University.  

Applications for the four May 4th Legacy Scholarships being awarded in 2026 will be accepted starting on March 23, 2026.  The deadline for applications is April 20, 2026.

 


 Information on how to apply can be found below.

Each scholarship is in the amount of $3,000.  The scholarship may be applied to any of the following costs associated with attending Kent State University: Tuition, Room and Board, Fees, Books and Supplies.

Donations are always welcome.  See below for how to contribute to the May 4 scholarship fund.

For more information about May 4, 1970 and the students honored by these scholarships, see:

May 4th Information

Eligibility
  • The May 4th Legacy Scholarships are available to undergraduate students majoring in a program of study in the School of Peace and Conflict Studies.  Students pursuing an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies are also eligible to apply.  (No more than two scholarships can be awarded to graduate students.)
  • Students beginning or continuing a relevant program of study in SPCS are eligible to apply.

     

Criteria for Award

 

  • Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:  a commitment to peaceful change and academic excellence, both demonstrated in their application for the award. 
  • Applications from students who have faced significant socio-economic challenges or are first-generation will be particularly welcomed. Kent State University has the final selection authority for this scholarship.

     

Application Process

How to apply:

All applications should be submitted through ScholarshipUniverse.  

In Flashline, search for ScholarshipUniverse (no space) OR go to https://kent.scholarshipuniverse.com/

Once there, click on Scholarships on the menu (on left side of your screen)

Search for May 4 

The four scholarships are listed as:

Select the scholarship for which you want to apply and click “View” to get the instructions on how to apply.  Each scholarship is worth $3,000.

Students can apply for all four scholarships (to improve the odds of getting one), but can only be selected to receive one.  (If applications are submitted for more than one, but there is a preference for a specific scholarship, indicate that in the personal statement.)

Eligible students beginning or continuing their studies in Summer or Fall 2026 should submit the following with their application:

  • A document discussing your educational history (including program of study in SPCS) and relevant grades.
  • A personal statement (up to 750 words) that:
    • Demonstrates knowledge of May 4th and discusses its significance for you
    • Provides evidence of your previous commitment to peaceful change and/or how you plan to bring about peaceful change in the future.
    • Indicates how you will use the funds

Applications will be accepted starting on March 23, 2026 and are due by April 20, 2026.

 

Applications will be considered by the SPCS Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC).  All decisions of the FAC will be final.

 

Award recipients will become part of the community of May 4th Legacy Scholars listed on the SPCS website. We will also be consulting with scholarship recipients on how best to facilitate online networking and support between recipients.

Inquiries about the scholarships can be emailed to Professor Neil Cooper: cooper@kent.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Resources
How to Contribute

Looking to donate to the May 4th Legacy Scholarship fund?

How to Contribute to the Scholarship Fund