Unlocking Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sumners Foundation Scholarship

The Sumners Foundation Scholarship stands as a beacon of opportunity for students dedicated to advancing the principles of self-government and democratic processes. This merit-based program supports individuals pursuing higher education across various disciplines. The Foundation’s core mission is the research, study and teaching of the art and science of selfgovernment.

Who is Hatton W. Sumners?

Hatton W. Sumners was against lynching but felt that states were in a better position to address the problem promptly rather than relying on marshaling federal law enforcement. The Foundation derives its status from Hatton W. Sumners.

Types of Sumners Foundation Scholarships

The Sumners Foundation offers a range of scholarships tailored to different academic levels and fields of study. These scholarships are available through endowed programs at specific institutions and as at-large awards for students meeting particular criteria.

Endowed Scholarships

The Foundation has six endowed graduate and undergraduate scholarship programs in Texas and Oklahoma. In each case, scholarship applications and administration are handled by the individual institutions.

Law School Scholarships: These scholarships are available at the Oklahoma City University School of Law and Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law. Recipients receive full tuition and fees, a book allowance, and a living allowance for three years. A key requirement is maintaining a class ranking within the top one-third annually. One student per year is awarded the Thomas. W. Luce, III Centennial Dedman Law Scholars Program at SMU Scholarship. The Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center offers a unique learning opportunity for students who are passionate about criminal legal reform and eager to understand how lawyers help shape public policy. The Deason Center sets SMU apart as a prominent institution for criminal legal research. The Criminal Justice Scholarship provides students with hands-on public policy work, as well as access to exclusive events, meetings with national thought leaders, and engagement with a network of criminal justice and public policy experts.
Undergraduate Scholarships: Two-year Sumners scholarships are offered at Austin College, Howard Payne University, Schreiner University, and Texas Wesleyan University for students beginning their junior year. The trustees of the Foundation conduct personal interviews of the finalists on each campus and make the final scholarship decisions each spring. In addition to academic excellence, the trustees seek young men and women who are civically engaged and possess a capacity for leadership.
PhD Scholarships: Applicants must be enrolled as full-time Ph.D. candidates in Political Philosophy.

At-Large Scholarships

At-large scholarships support qualified students who demonstrate a passion for self-government. Students from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas are eligible to apply as long they are attending a college or university in Texas or Oklahoma. Working from a pool of undergraduate candidates deemed qualified in all respects for the Sumners Scholarship, the Trustees of the Foundation conduct personal interviews of the finalists and make the final scholarship decisions.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the Sumners Foundation Scholarship varies depending on the specific program. However, some general criteria apply:

Academic Excellence: All Sumners Scholarships are merit-based programs.
Civic Engagement and Leadership: The trustees seek young men and women who are civically engaged and possess a capacity for leadership. We are looking for students who in their vocation or avocation will help to further the democratic process - they might be pre-law majors, maybe they are pursuing an education degree because they want to teach government, maybe they are economics majors wanting to work in a think tank or maybe they are involved in the political process by helping run campaigns, serving on city committees, or just generally changing the world! SU students have been very successful at securing this scholarship in the past.
Geographic Requirements: Certain scholarships, like the at-large awards, have geographic restrictions. If you are a permanent resident of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas, you may apply for a Sumners Foundation Scholarship.
Specific Program Requirements: Law school scholarships require recipients to maintain a class ranking in the top one-third annually.

E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship

Awarded to residents of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi who have submitted the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application and whose residency has been verified by the E.H. Sumners Foundation.

Undergraduate students may receive this award for a maximum of 8 undergraduate semesters. Only awarded during a fall or spring semester. Applications for the E. H. E. H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Fund recipients must reside in one of the designated counties. Residency status for dependent students will be based on their parents residing in one of the five counties for at least 12 continuous months prior to the award period; residency status for independent students will be based on the student residing in one of the five counties for at least 12 continuous months prior to the award period. Dependency status requirements for an E. H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Fund award are the same as the requirements for federal aid. The E. H. Sumners Foundation verifies residency in the appropriate county for all applicants. The E. H. Sumners Endowed Scholarships are awarded from endowed funds to full-time undergraduate academically qualified students who legally reside in one of the five counties of Mississippi. The specific amounts for awards will be determined by an annual review of available funds. E. H. Receipt of the E. H. The award amount is based on campus residency. Certain Institutions may reduce award if living off campus. The E. H. The E. H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship funds will not be used for summer school. Those students receiving the E. H.
The priority deadline for incoming students is February 1, and for returning undergraduate students, the priority deadline is March 1.
By completing the On-line E. H. You have been awarded the Sumners Scholarship because you are a resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster County in Mississippi.In order to confirm your eligibility for the award, you must complete the Sumners Scholarship Application . This application must be completed annually. The Sumners Foundation will review your application and check residency. Then they will notify Financial Aid if you have been approved for the award.

Eligibility for E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship

The student must be a resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery or Webster County in Mississippi who desires and can benefit from a higher education.

All applicants must have resided for 12 continuous months in one of the five Sumners counties prior to enrollment.
All applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at the institution. Teacher certification courses may also be approved (except for visiting students) if documented as such by the School of Education.
The amount of the Sumners Scholarship shall not exceed the cost of attendance when combined with all other types of aid received by the student (including institutional and other scholarships/grants).
Independent students who have not established a residence in one of the Sumners counties may not establish eligibility by the address of parents who reside in one of the eligible counties.
If you withdraw from the university within the 100 percent institutional refund period (the first 10 days of classes), any scholarship that has already credited to your bursar account must be repaid in full.

How to Apply for E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship

You must complete the Sumners Scholarship Application and indicate the academic year for which you are applying. The Sumners Foundation verifies residency in the appropriate counties for all applicants.

Amount of E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship

Since the amount received by The University of Mississippi from the Sumners Trust may vary each year, as will the number of students enrolled from each of the eligible counties, it is possible that scholarship amounts may also vary from one year to the next. The amount you will receive is based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled, and the scholarship cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance when combined with all other types of aid.

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The following illustrates our current awarding expectations.

Anticipated Award Amounts starting with 2025-2026
- Full Time $5,000 per semester $10,000 per academic year
- 3/4 Time $3,750 per semester $7,500 per academic year
- Half-Time $2,500 per semester $5,000 per academic year
- Less than Half-Time $1,250 per semester $2,5000 per academic year

Course Load Definitions per Semester (in hours)

Full Time, 3/4 Time, Half-Time, Less than Half-Time
Undergraduate 12 or more, 9-11, 6-8, Less than 6
Graduate 9 or more, 7-8, 5-6, Less than 5
Law 10 or more, 8-9, 5-7, Less than 5
Pharm.D. 12 or more, 9-11, 6-8, Less than 6

Renewal Requirements for E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship

A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to continue to receive the Sumner’s Scholarship. If suspended, you may appeal, but appeals must be in by the appeals deadline.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for a Sumners Scholarship, you must complete a separate scholarship application. on February 12. You must also have been admitted by February 12.

Additional Scholarship at SMU

The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship, funded and awarded by the Dallas Bar Foundation, covers the full cost of tuition and fees of outstanding students of color each year. If you are interested in applying for the Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship, you must complete the separate scholarship application. Your scholarship application must be completed and on file with the Dallas Bar Foundation by February 15. To be considered for the scholarship, you must be admitted to the JD program by February 15. Conditional scholarships are evaluated at the end of each academic year. Recipients of these conditional scholarships must maintain grades within the top third or top half of their law school class. These are all full tuition and fee scholarships. The vast majority of scholarships at SMU do not have a grade requirement above good standing.

Additional Program Benefits

In addition to receiving varying degrees of financial support for their collegiate or post-graduate education, Sumners Scholars enjoy special access to other programs sponsored by the Foundation. Among the distinguished figures with whom Sumners Scholars have had private meetings are President Gerald Ford, then-Governor George W.

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Grants from the Sumners Foundation

The Foundation makes grants annually. Grant applications will be accepted from January 1 to August 1 using the online portal. Grant applications are available online below. All requests for grants cannot be acted upon favorably. Grants are made in good faith from information supplied by the applicant. CST and are screened by the trustees at a subsequent meeting.

Restrictions on Grants

No.
While the trustees have approved such grants in the past, those were limited to the creation of the Foundation's endowed scholarship programs.
No.
No.

Grant Reporting Requirements

Interim reports are due August 1 on or before grant applications are submitted. Final reports are due December 1.

Expectations for Sumners Scholars

The Sumners Foundation’s expectations of its Scholars are driven by its statement of purpose.

Core Values

and core values of the Foundation.

attention to diversity and inclusion.

Mission

The Foundation’s core mission is the research, study and teaching of the art and science of selfgovernment.

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