Awards, Scholarships and Financial Aid for Earth Sciences Students
The following information represents a selection of award programs that are available to Earth Sciences department students with a focus on those that are administered directly by the Earth Sciences Department . Students are encouraged to also visit the web pages of the specific scholarships, as well as these to links:
There are also two types of scholarships in the
online STAR Giving Tree and Scholrship system:
UH Manoa scholarships and UH System scholarships
List of Scholarship Opportunities (follow links to detailed descriptions)
| Fund Name | Undergrad | Grad |
| Agatin T. Abbott Memorial Fund Awarded to an outstanding Earth Sciences senior undergraduate each year. |
x | |
| Geology Summer Field Camp Stipend Application Deadline: March 1 (of year BEFORE the summer field camp) |
x | |
| Dorothy & Harold Palmer Fund Interest-free loans to attend Field Camp. |
x | |
| Hawaii Space Grant Consortuim Undergraduate Fellowships Application Deadline: June 15 for Fall, December 1st for Spring |
x | |
| Earth Sciences Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application Deadline: Feb 15 |
x | |
| Harold T. Stearns Fellowship Application Deadline: April 1 |
x | x |
| William T. Coulbourn Fellowship in Marine Geology Application Deadline: April 1 |
x | x |
| Fred M. Bullard Graduate Fellowship for continuing students. research support. | x | |
| Donald Swanson Graduate Fellowship for continuing students. research support. Application Deadline: April 1 |
x | |
| ARCS Foundation Award | x | |
| J. Watumull Merit Scholarship Awarded yearly to the Department's outstanding graduate student. Faculty Nominations made in April. |
x |
Non-Earth Sciences administered programs for grads...
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation Grants-in-Aid
National competition; applications due January 15
GSA Graduate Student Research Grant Eligibility
Detailed Descptions of Award Opportunities
Agatin T. Abbott Memorial Fund [Undergraduate]
This award is given to an outstanding senior(s) each year.
Criteria:
Outstanding senior based on academic record
Contributions to the department's programs may also be considered.
Awarded in Spring
Back to top.
Summer Field Camp Stipend
A limited number of merit-based stipends may be awarded each year from the Department of Earth Sciences to undergraduate Earth Sciences majors to offset the cost of geology summer field camp if funds are available. These are given as reimbirsements of partial expenses, after the course is successfuly completed. Typical award size: $500 to $1000. There is no dedicated fund to support this activity, so the ability of the department to make an award in a given year depends on the status of the department budget.
To Apply
-
Student submits application, acceptance letter from the host university for the field camp, and a cover letter to the Earth Sciences department chair by 1 March in tn the Spring before attendng the camp,.
-
Student hears back from the Earth Sciences department chair sometime after the 1 March Deadline.
If application is accepted, student:
Will pay for the field camp up front.
Attend field camp.
Request official transcript from the host university to be sent directly to the University of Hawaii's Admission and Records Office.
Have grades mailed to the University of Hawaii's Department of Earth Sciences.
Once student successfully completes field camp with a passing grade:
Fill out UH Foundation Check Request Form for Student Aid Recipients with department secretary.
Monetary reimbursement award will be placed into student's MYUH account.
Dorothy & Harold Palmer Fund [Undergraduate]
The Dorthy & Harold Palmer Fund provides interest-free loans to Earth Sciences students to offset the cost of participating in Hawaii and
mainland field exercises and summer field training camps (Field Camp).
Repayment arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis. Selection of the students will be made by the chair of the Department of
Earth Sciences. Application deadline: 1 March. Apply befoe atending field camp.
Back to top.
Hawaii Space Grant Undergraduate Fellowships [Undergraduate]
The University of Hawaii Space Grant College, as a
participant in the national Space Grant College and Fellowship
Program, invites applications for NASA Undergraduate Space Grant
Fellowships to support studies in fields related to space.
Fields related to space means scientific disciplines or fields of study
(including astronomy, geology, meteorology, oceanography, math,
physics, engineering, computer sciences, and life sciences) that are
concerned with the understanding, utilization or exploration of
space, or with the investigation of the Earth from the perspective of
space.
A significant goal of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program is to encourage interdisciplinary studies and
research and to train the future generation of space scientists in
the physical and life sciences, math, engineering, and computer
science.
All full-time undergraduates enrolled at the University
of Hawai`i at Manoa who have declared a major and propose study or
research with a strong space component are eligible to apply for two-
semester Fellowships. In rare instances, a one-semester project may
be considered. Fellowship applicants must be U.S. citizens and each
applicant must be sponsored by a mentor who is willing to advise the
student for the duration of the award. Awards of Fellowships will be
based on academic qualifications of the student, quality of proposed
research/study, appropriateness of proposed research to NASA's goals,
and feasibility of proposed research/study within the planned
academic time-frame.
Successful candidates will be designated University of Hawaii Space Grant Fellows. Fellows are expected to
work between ten and fifteen hours a week on their projects.
Financial support for Fellows includes a stipend of $3000 per
semester and up to $500 for supplies and/or travel pertinent to their
project. Women, under-represented minorities (specifically Native
Hawaiians, Filipinos, other Pacific Islanders, Native Americans,
African Americans, and Hispanics), and physically challenged students
who have interest in space-related fields are particularly encouraged
to apply.
For more information visit the
Hawaii Space Grant Consortium.
Inquiries
Questions concerning the preparation and submission of applications and the administration of this Fellowship Program should be addressed to Ed Scott at 956-3955.
Students and Faculty Mentors are strongly urged to contact the Space
Grant College Office prior to submission of the proposal in order to
ascertain the appropriateness of the intended project.
Application Deadline: June 15th for the Fall, December 1st for the Spring
Back to top.
Dept. of Earth sciences Undergraduate Research Fellowships [Undergraduate]
The University of Hawaii Manoa Dept. of Earth sciences invites applications for its internaslly funded research fellowship. All full-time undergraduates enrolled in Earth Sciences degree programs at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa who propose study or research with a strong Earth or environmental Sciences component are eligible to apply for two-semester Fellowships. Generally just one fellowship wil be awarded in a given year.
To Apply:
Complete a ERTH Undergraduate Reasearch Fellowship Application Form, available in (.doc) or (PDF) format. In it you will outline your proposed project.
Application Deadline: Feb. 15th
Back to top.
Harold T. Stearns Fellowship [Undergraduate] [Graduate]
Undergraduate and graduate students in the Earth Sciences Department may apply yearly for Harold T. Stearns Fellowship funds to support research in fields that Dr. Stearns was active in researching. Requests for up to $1500, or more in well-justified cases, are availlable per year. The awards shall be for research in the following areas:
Studies of limestone and ancient emerged and submerged shorelines related to eustatic and tectonic changes in sea level on islands in the central Pacific, other Pacific islands, and along shores bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Geologic mapping of Pacific Islands for which no adequate geologic maps are available.
Hydrologic studies of Pacific Islands.
Geochemical, petrologic and radiometric studies of limestone and volcanic rocks on Pacific Islands.
Analysis of geophysical data of submerged terraces bordering Pacific Islands.
To Apply:
Complete a Stearns-Coulbourn Fellowships Common Application Form. In it you will outline your proposed project. The application describes the research, its methodology and significance, and a proposed budget. This fund may also be accessed through the STAR system
Obtain a letter of support from your advisor or other faculty member and attach it to the application form. (The faculty member will monitor the research.)
- Submit the proposal and letter of support to Office Manager in POST 701.
Application Deadline: April 1
Back to top.
William T. Coulbourn Fellowship in Marine Geology [Undergraduate] [Graduate]
The William T. Coulbourn Fellowship in Marine Geology is offered yearly to deserving undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Earth Sciences. The purpose of this award is to support student research in sedimentary marine geology. Both graduates and undergraduates may apply. Up to $1000 of these funds are available per year.
To Apply:
Complete a Stearns-Coulbourn Fellowships Common Application Form. In it you will outline your proposed project. The application describes the research, its methodology and significance, and a proposed budget.
Obtain a letter of support from your advisor or other faculty member and attach it to the application form. (The faculty member will monitor the research.)
Submit the proposal and letter of support to Office Manager in POST 701.
Those receiving a William T. Coulbourn Fellowship are required to present, within one year, an oral summary of their results at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Geology Club, or other public forum. Direct any questions to the Department Chair.
Application Deadline: April 1
Fred M. Bullard Graduate Fellowship [Graduate]
The Bullard Fellowship program is supported by a generous $1.8M gift from the estate of Thais Freda Bullard in memory of her father, Fred Mason Bullard. Awards are made to incoming and continuing graduate students that show exceptional potential for success in graduate school, and to continuing students through a competitive application process. The award supports innovative research efforts spearheaded by students (as opposed to advisors), supports salary, travel, and research costs. does not support fixed equipment such as computers). Applications for the continuing student Reasearch Award are normally due in November each year but be on the lookout for annual annoucement email. See the UH press release and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Donald A Swanson Graduate Fellowship [Graduate]
New
The Swanson Fellowship program is supported by a generous gift from USGS Scientist and long-time Earth Sciences department friend and collaborator, Don Swanson. Awards are made to continuing graduate students that show exceptional potential for success in graduate school, through a competitive application process. The award supports innovative research efforts spearheaded by students (as opposed to advisors) on Earth Science research in Hawaii by funding travel and other expenses directly related to conducting the research. It does not support fixed equipment, such as computers, conference travel, or student salary).
To apply:
Complete a Don Swanson Fellowships Application Form by the 1 April Deadline. In it you will outline your proposed project. The application
describes the research, its methodology and significance, and a proposed budget. A letter from your project advisor is also required.
See the UHF press release.
ARCS Foundation Award [Graduate]
The funding for these awards comes from a group of concerned local women who raise nearly $100,000 annually for local university students. The availability and amount of the award is set each year by ARCS. Criteria:
Limited to U.S. citizens with graduate GPR's of at least 3.5 (these criteria set by ARCS).
Academic performance, including GPR, total credit hours of courses taken (not 699, 700, or 800), and difficulty of courses.
Progress towards the degree, including research progress.
Other evidence of academic excellence including outstanding service to the department or for the graduate students, etc.
Unless no other qualified students are available these awards will not be repeated and will be given only to students who have completed at least two semesters in the department.
J. Watumull Merit Scholarship [Graduate]
This award is given each year to an outstanding Earth Sciences graduate student by the
Watumull Foundation.
Criteria: Same as for the ARCS awards EXCEPT it is not limited to U.S.
students only, and the recipient must plan to spend at least one more year
at UHM as the award is given in two parts, half at the beginning of the fall
semester and the other half at the beginning of the spring semester.
Nominations made in April.
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation Grants-in-Aid [Graduate]
The Grants-in-Aid program offers students an excellent opportunity to fund their research and publish an abstract in the AAPG Bulletin. The Grants-in-Aid program has become highly competitive and can only fund about 25 percent of the applications received.
The purpose of the program is to foster research in the geosciences by providing support to graduate students in the earth sciences whose research has application to the search for the development of petroleum and energy-mineral resources, and/or to related environmental geoscience issues.
Grant Amounts typically range from $500 to $2,000 each.
The program is available to Master's (or equivalent 2-year degree) and Ph.D. applicants. Bachelors with Honors and 4th year degree students are NOT eligible. Candidates for Master's or equivalent degrees may receive a maximum of one grant, and Ph.D. candidates may receive a maximum of two grants. However, no more than two grants will be awarded to any one applicant during his/her graduate education. Due to award timing, it is critical that first-year Master's degree students apply for grants in their first year so that the research money will be available to them in the second year.
To Apply:
- Visit:
http://foundation.aapg.org/gia/index.cfm.
- Note:
- The following rule may have changed because their systems have been upgraded:
The application form cannot be submitted electronically, but must be printed out, signed by the applicant, edorsed by the department, and mailed with the other required documentation.FAX'd applications will not be accepted. Delivery by courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL is recommended if time is short, particularly for students outside of North America.
- The following rule may have changed because their systems have been upgraded:
- Note:
- To be eligible, applications must meet ALL requirements, and those received after January 31 are NOT be considered.
- Successful applicants will be notified in April/May, and asked to provide current mailing addresses and appropriate transmittal instructions for the grants. They will also be given the opportunity to submit their abstracts for publication in the AAPG BULLETIN. For additional questions contact Leona Anthony or the AAPG staff.
GSA Graduate Student Research Grant Eligibility [Graduate]
For a sample application, please visit --
http://www.geosociety.org/grants/gradgrants.htm
The primary role of the GSA research grants program is to provide partial
support of master's and doctoral thesis research in the geological sciences
for graduate students enrolled in universities in the United States, Canada,
Mexico and Central America. In 2008, 53% of the applicants received funding.
GSA strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to
participate fully in this grants program.
For additional information please contact:
Program Officer Grants, Awards and Recognition
Geological Society of America
P.O. Box 9140
Boulder, CO 80301-9140
Phone: (303) 357-1028
awards@geosociety.org
Campus Financial Aid Offices
Other Online Resources
Basic Info
Many Earth Sciences students apply for -- and receive -- varying amounts of financial aid. Some financial aid assistance is need-based, while some is determined by academic achievement. Other types of financial aid assistance are awarded based on race, chosen major, geography or other criteria. Financial aid awards may include any combination of scholarships, grants and loans. Financial aid providers include the U.S. Government, the State of Hawai'i, corporate entities and private people. Note: Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register on-line at http://www.sss.gov/regist.htm
Once you have been accepted into a University of Hawai'i program, contact the financial aid office of the campus you will be attending to find out what additional types of financial assistance may be available, and what the application procedures and deadlines are.
Earth Sciences Funds quick links
follow links to detailed descriptions on this pageUndergrads
Agatin T. Abbott Memorial Fund
Geology Summer Field Camp Fellowship
Hawaii Space Grant Consortuim Undergraduate Fellowships
Both Undergrads and Grads
William T. Coulbourn Fellowship in Marine Geology
Graduate
Fred M. Bullard Graduate Fellowship