THE TIM J. PENNY
FELLOWSHIP
Supporting the Next Generation of Public Servants
Tim Penny is a founding member of the Minnesota State University Students Association (MSUSA), now Students United. For more than 50 years, Tim served southern Minnesota and supported students at Minnesota State’s seven universities.
As a student at Winona State University, Tim served as MSUSA’s first lobbyist, advocating for students before the Minnesota Legislature and the governing board now known as the Minnesota State Board of Trustees.
Two years after graduating, Tim was elected to the Minnesota Senate, where he served from 1976 to 1982. He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District from 1983 until his retirement from Congress in 1995.
The Tim J. Penny Public Service Fellowships continue Tim’s legacy by supporting the next generation of leaders and public servants.
FELLOWSHIP AWARDS:
Timothy J. Penny State Public Service Fellowship — $2,500
Supports qualifying internships in Minnesota with the Minnesota Legislature, a Minnesota state agency, a city or county government, or another Minnesota state or local government entity.
Timothy J. Penny Federal Public Service Fellowship — $5,000
Supports qualifying internships with the United States federal government, a federal government agency, a tribal government, or a tribal government agency, regardless of the internships location.
Applicants may apply for one or both fellowships but may receive only one Tim J. Penny Public Service Fellowship during the application cycle. Tribal government and tribal agency internships are considered under the Federal Public Service Fellowship.
2026-2027 APPLICATION DATES
-
Applications open: September 1, 2026
-
Application deadline: December 15, 2026
-
Award decisions announced by: February 1, 2027
-
Deadline to secure an internship & submit proof: August 31, 2027
-
Internship must begin by: December 31, 2027
Applications must be submitted through the Students United AwardSpring application portal by December 15, 2026.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
-
Be currently enrolled at one of Minnesota State’s seven universities when applying.
-
Have completed at least one full semester at a Minnesota State university before the application deadline.
-
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
-
Demonstrate an interest in public service.
-
Plan to complete a qualifying public-service internship.
Students who have graduated or are no longer enrolled when they apply are not eligible. Students enrolled only at a Minnesota State college are not eligible.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their leadership, commitment to public service, relevant experience and interests, and future goals.
This fellowship supports the next generation of leaders and public servants like Tim Penny.
Internship sites include Tribal Government, Minnesota State Government, and Federal Government. Students have held a range of positions, from administrative internships with local tribal authorities, all the way to internships with legislators in Washington D.C.
To better meet student needs, we've changed the application guidelines and openings for the 2026 application year. Applications open September 1st, and close December 15th. Check back soon!