Middle East Studies Center

Group of Arabic Studies students riding camels across desert in Giza, Egypt.

Scholarships

MESC directly supports our students with three scholarships generously provided by our alumni and partners:

We highly recommend students research and apply for one or all of these prestigious awards.

Application

The MESC Scholarship Application Form is formatted as a Google Form. You will need to be signed into your pdx.edu account before submitting. Please have your personal statement and unofficial transcript ready to upload. You will not be able to resubmit or add additional information after the form has been submitted. If you experience any technical issues, please let us know at mesctr@pdx.edu.

Each scholarship requires a statement of purpose, unofficial transcript from PSU, and a letter of recommendation. If you are applying for more than one scholarship, you may use one recommendation letter. See individual scholarships for specific criteria and more details.

Scholarship awards are determined by the Middle East Studies Center Faculty Advisory Committee chaired by the Director of the Middle East Studies Center.

No application will be turned away if more time is needed. Please email mesctr@pdx.edu to request an extension. 

Note: All scholarships are provided on a one-time basis and are non-renewable. 

Scholarship Tips 

Scholarships are gifts. Someone has either raised or earned money to help students pay for college expenses. Your application needs to reflect the hard work someone else has put in for your benefit.

Scholarships are competitions. Each donor is looking for something specific, but they are all looking for the best candidate. Your application will be compared to other students, so this is the time to brag about yourself! Let people know about all the interesting and exciting things you’re doing in and out of school. The more completely you present yourself, the better your chances are of earning a scholarship.

Scholarships are limited. Not everyone who applies for scholarships gets one. We wish that everyone who applied could win a scholarship, but there just isn’t enough money to do that. That’s why your application has to show you at your best.

 

Good luck!

 

GARY AND PATRICIA LEISER SCHOLARSHIP IN MIDDLE EASTERN LANGUAGES

This scholarship was established by PSU alumni to support students with a serious interest in Middle East Studies and languages. Gary and Patricia remain actively involved as alumni of PSU. 

Available To: Undergraduate, Graduate
Number of Awards: 1-2 annually 
Amount: Up to $2000 (paid towards tuition & fees)
Renewable: No 
Deadline: May 12th, 2025

CRITERIA

You must meet the following requirements:

  • Full-time PSU student (or accepted for full-time enrollment)
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Open to all majors
  • Must be enrolled in Arabic, Persian 
  • Demonstrated serious interest in the Middle East by taking courses related to the region from any discipline
  • 3.25 overall GPA will be given priority

APPLICATION

Your application must contain the following materials:

  • MESC Scholarship Application Form 
  • 350-word typed statement of purpose addressing your past and present experience with Middle East Studies; your plans for Middle East Studies for the next year and beyond; and how this scholarship would contribute to your future studies
  • Unofficial transcript from PSU
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member, academic advisor, or someone who can speak to your experience with Middle East Studies. Please have the recommendation letter emailed separately to mesctr@pdx.edu with the subject "[YEAR] Scholarship Application: [Your Name]." 

ELIZABETH DUCEY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established by a community member in 1960 and first awarded in 1964. Preference is given towards students intending to use the award for studying abroad, but it is not required.

Available To: Undergraduate, Graduate
Number of Awards: 1 annually 
Amount: $600 (paid towards tuition & fees)
Renewable: No 
Deadline: May 12th, 2025

Criteria:

You must meet the following requirements:

  • Full-time PSU student (or accepted for full-time enrollment)
  • Must be enrolled and making satisfactory progress in Arabic, Persian, or Hebrew.
  • Course history related to Middle East, North Africa, and/or South Asia (includes any department)
  • Academic excellence and financial need are a major consideration

Application 

  • MESC Scholarship Application Form 
  • 350-word typed statement of purpose addressing your past and present experience with Middle East Studies; your plans for Middle East Studies for the next year and beyond; and how this scholarship would contribute to your future studies
  • Unofficial transcript from PSU
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member, academic advisor, or someone who can speak to your experience with Middle East Studies. Please have the recommendation letter emailed separately to mesctr@pdx.edu with the subject "[YEAR] Scholarship Application: [Your Name]." 

JOHN DAMIS MIDDLE EAST STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in the name of former MESC Director and PSU Professor of Political Science & International Studies John Damis for the purpose of supporting a student with a serious interest in Middle East Studies.
Available To: Undergraduate, Graduate
Number of Awards: 1-2 annually 
Amount: Between $1,000 - $2,000 (paid towards tuition & fees)
Renewable: No 
Deadline: May 12th, 2025

CRITERIA

You must meet the following requirements:

  • Full-time PSU student (or accepted for full-time enrollment)
  • Be majoring in International Studies or Political Science with a Middle East focus
  • 3.0 overall GPA will be given priority

APPLICATION 

  • MESC Scholarship Application Form 
  • 350-word typed statement of purpose addressing your past and present experience with Middle East Studies; your plans for Middle East Studies for the next year and beyond; and how this scholarship would contribute to your future studies
  • Unofficial transcript from PSU
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member, academic advisor, or someone who can speak to your experience with Middle East Studies. Please have the recommendation letter emailed separately to mesctr@pdx.edu with the subject "[YEAR] Scholarship Application: [Your Name]." 
Other Funding Resources