When former Congressman Tim Penny retired from Congress he donated hundreds of thousands of dollars of left over campaign funds to the Minnesota State University Student Association to establish the Penny Fellowship. This money has been augmented by an annual fundraising dinners and golf tournaments. I represent IFO on the Penny Fellowship Advisory Committee.
The Penny Fellowship awards scholarships to MnSCU students participating in low or unpaid community and public service internships. Students can receive up to$1,500 to intern in Minnesota and up to $2,500 for internships in Washington D.C. and internationally. For example, if a student interns for a Senator in Washington D.C. they can get $2,500 to help pay for housing, food, travel, professional clothes, tuition and book costs!
More information, including a list of possible internships, can be found online at www.msusa.net.
The Penny Fellowship often has money for more grants than students applying. We would like to get the word out to faculty members and students about this grant opportunity. If you know a student who is interested in doing an internship in government (any level) or community service, and who could use financial help, please refer him or her to the web site above or have them contact Kari Winter, the staff person for the Penny Fellowship at Development@msusa.net. If you teach in a relevant area such as political science, please announce this grant opportunity to your classes.
