Scholarships, Awards & Funding

The History Department is proud to recognize and support our students through a variety of scholarships, awards, and funding opportunities. Here's what's available to you:

Department Scholarships & Awards

The History Department Writing Award Best for: History and Social Studies majors, including incoming first-year and transfer students
This award, formerly known as The Elliott Mayrock Writing Award, is given in recognition of exemplary work in upper level history classes. Each spring, the department invites submissions for the best 400-level seminar or tutorial paper of the year. The recipient receives a monetary award in recognition of their outstanding work. Click here to see a list of previous awardees!



The David W. Sass History Scholarship Best for: Junior and Senior History majors
Established by history grad David W. Sass to recognize "outstanding achievement in the study of history." This scholarship celebrates students who have made a real mark in their academic work. Click to see past recipients and get inspired!



The Robert Ryan History Scholarship (multiple awards available) Best for: History majors with strong academic records
Established in 2002 in honor of longtime History Professor Robert Ryan, this scholarship recognizes students who have excelled both in the department and at Ithaca College overall. Multiple awards are given to students in each class as we want to provide valuable support to our History majors as they move through their course of study. Your chances are good! Check out past recipients here!

To be eligible for the Robert Ryan History Scholarship, you must:

  • Be a full-time History major for the duration of the award
  • Have a minimum 3.0 GPA in History courses and a 3.0 overall GPA
  • Have completed or be currently enrolled in at least 9 credits of IC History courses PA and application materials), and
A Note of Gratitude

These departmental awards exist because of the generosity of our alumni and faculty:

  • David Sass , Class of 1957
  • Elliott Mayrock , Class of 1973
  • Robert Ryan , History Professor for over forty years

We are grateful for their commitment to supporting the next generation of historians — students just like you.

Funding Opportunities Beyond the Department

H&S Summer Scholars Program

Want to spend a summer doing hands-on research with a faculty member and get paid for it? This two-month program is a fantastic way to deepen your skills, build your resume, and work closely with a professor on a project you're passionate about.

Explore the Program
Dana Student Internship Program

Through the Provost's office, the Dana Program supports students pursuing internships or faculty-student collaborative projects. If you have an idea, this program is worth a look.

Learn More Here
Emerson Summer Internship Program

Rising seniors, take note! This program can help fund a credit-bearing internship, significantly reducing the cost to you while giving you real-world experience.

See If You Qualify

And there's even more out there!

Grants, fellowships, and awards from foundations and organizations outside of IC are also available. Taking the time to explore what's out there — within the School, across the College, and beyond — is one of the smartest things you can do as a History student. Find a whole list of funding opportunities here!