Human Resource Students: Tips for Finding Scholarships

The field of Human Resources is fast becoming a key to an organization’s success. Business, industry, education—nearly any type of organization that employs a workforce must have an HR department. Once upon a time these personnel did little more than secretarial work-filed employees applications and resumes and tracked disciplinary action and other incidentals of employee history.

If you’re specializing in Human Resource Management or Human Capital Management, you are tackling a hot Business field. You are part conflict mediator, and one part HR strategist. Since most HR Management majors are housed in the Business Departments chances are you will learn many skills related to business administration and management, from marketing to organizational structure and business economics.

Scholarships will primarily come from your college or university, or private and professional organizations.

Private Sources

Narrow down your specific HR career focus and you may also narrow down your possible scholarship options. This is a good thing. Many students try to shoot for too many scholarships none of which is a particularly good fit. Only when you get very clear about your short-term and long-term goals do you find the awards that best fit your mold. Professional organizations are one of the most ample sources for student scholarships. Examples:

  • The Society for Human Resource Management sponsors scholarships out of its foundation funding. Awards are open to student members pursuing careers in Human Resource Management. Twenty-five scholarships are given annually, to undergraduates and graduates. Awards range between $500 and $2,500.
  • Various regional chapters of the SHRM also sponsor student scholarships in HRM. Most applicants must be student members of the chapter.
  • The Asian Pacific Fund sponsors the Human Capital Management Scholarship for students majoring in HRM at the University of California. These are scholarships designed to increase the number of minority students in the Human Resources industry. Eligible candidates must be first-generation college students and have financial need.

College and University Sources

If you’re majoring in HRM then you must explore the scholarships available through your own institution. Most offers some funds for both undergraduate and graduate students in the department. Example,

  • The College of Business Administration at California State University – Long Beach offers department HRM majors the Locher Scholarship. These $2,500 cash awards are open to juniors with both strong academics and financial need.