Scholarships
Michel-LaHood Summer Congressional Internship Program
Established in 2023, the Michel-LaHood internship provides stipends covering at least $7,000 in housing, living and travel expenses for each of up to three Bradley University students to participate in summer internships in congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
Members of Congress planning to host interns during the program's inaugural year are U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (IL-16), Robin Kelly (IL-2) and Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
Bradley undergraduates from all academic majors are eligible to participate, and may earn academic credit for the internship and an additional American government course through Bradley's Department of Political Science. Students are selected by a panel including representatives from the political science faculty, Bradley's Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service and the Dirksen Congressional Center.
Financing comes from an endowed fund first established by Ray LaHood in 2004. Donations can be made to the Ray LaHood Fund, c/o The Dirksen Congressional Center, 2815 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554.
Learn more about the program by clicking here.
Ray and Kathy LaHood Scholarships for the Study of American Government
The Dirksen Center sponsors the LaHood Scholarships to promote the study of politics and governance as practiced by the distinguished public servants who have represented Illinois's 18th district in Congress, a list which includes Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen, Robert H. Michel, Ray LaHood and, currently, Congressman Darin LaHood.
The purpose of the LaHood Scholarships is to provide financial support for tuition, fees, and books to Bradley University juniors who are majoring in a discipline related to The Dirksen Center's purpose and interest or in a subject related to the study of the federal government. The program is managed by The Institute for Principled Leadership.
The LaHoods endowed the program with a series of donations to The Dirksen Congressional Center beginning in 2005.
Who is Qualified to Apply?
In order to be considered for a LaHood Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- They are a junior in good standing who will enter their senior year of study in a field related to the study of the U.S. government (e.g., political science, public administration, American studies, U.S. history).
- They attend Bradley University.
- They have a Grade Point Average (on a four-point scale) of at least 3.0 overall and 3.5 in their major.
- They agree to write a 250-word evaluation of the impact of their scholarship before the end of their senior year.
They agree to meet with Ray or Kathy LaHood during the second semester of their senior year.
Questions?
Call, write, or e-mail:
Brad McMillan, Executive Director
Institute for Principled Leadership
Bradley University
1501 W. Bradley
Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 677.4408
bmcmillan@bradley.edu