Minority Scholarship Program:

Under the sponsorship of the American Economic Association, the Department of Economics at University of California, Santa Barbara is the current host of the AEA Summer Training Program and AEA Minority Scholarships.

Now in its 35th year, the program is designed to prepare undergraduates for doctoral studies in Economics by offering honors courses that bridge the gap from undergraduate coursework to first-year PhD work. Applicants considering a Master's degree rather than a doctorate also are encouraged to apply, as are those interested in graduate study in related fields (e.g., Demography, Public Health, Regional Science, Statistics).

The program at University of California, Santa Barbara has a limited number of slots; it is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of race or ethnic background.

In addition, the American Economic Association offers scholarships for minority students who wish to participate in the Summer Training Program. The intention of the scholarship is to increase the number of African American, Hispanic, and Native American students with doctorates in economics. We therefore seek scholarship applications from minority undergraduates with the potential and interest to pursue a PhD in economics. Applicants must have completed at least two years of college-level courses, including specific mathematics and economics courses.

The primary target group for the program includes qualified sophomores, juniors, seniors, and B.A. or B.S. degree holders who are interested in continuing to study graduate economics, or who have been admitted to an economics MA or PhD program for the fall of the year of application. If conditions justify additional preparation, students attending or who have completed Master's programs, in economics or in other fields, also may apply to the AEA Summer Training Program.
Currently 20-25 Minority Scholarships are available each year.

Eligibility for the Minority Scholarship

The Minority Scholarship is offered to qualified US citizens and permanent residents who are members of racial or ethnic minorities historically disadvantaged in the US context, and for which there are gains to diversity from increasing their representation in the Economics profession, and who are interested in a Ph.D. in Economics. Consideration also will be given to those interested in a Master's degree (MA or MS) in Economics. Financial assistance awards also depend on demonstrated financial need. Funding presently exists for 20-25 awards annually.

Scholarship Package

The scholarship package pays tuition, room and board, books, the cost of transportation to Santa Barbara, and a stipend. As registered students at University of California, Santa Barbara, the scholarship recipients will have access to university facilities including libraries, computer labs, sports facilities, and social events.

Application Deadline

Primary consideration for acceptance into this program will be given to Juniors and Seniors who are planning to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics. All applications must be received by March 15th of the year of application.

Applications must be received by the deadline date. Postmarks will not be honored and late applications will not be accepted or reviewed. Interested parties may submit applications at any time prior to this. Early applications will be held on file for the review committee.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that letters of recommendation and transcripts are submitted in a timely fashion. Recommendations must be postmarked by the date indicated on the form.

We expect to notify accepted applicants late April.