Scholarship Opportunities

Supporting Students. Recognizing Achievement. Creating Opportunities.

The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University offers a variety of scholarships, awards, and funding opportunities to help undergraduate and graduate students pursue their academic and professional goals.

Through the generosity of alumni, faculty, friends, and community partners, students may receive support for tuition, field courses, research, professional conferences, and other educational experiences.

Apply for Departmental Scholarships

Each spring, the department recognizes undergraduate and graduate students through its annual scholarship and awards program.

Students should explore available scholarships and submit their applications through WMU ScholarshipUniverse. Eligibility requirements, application materials, and deadlines may vary by award.

Explore Scholarships and Apply Through ScholarshipUniverse

Scholarship and award recipients are recognized at the department's annual spring awards ceremony.

Departmental Scholarships and Awards

The following scholarships support students with a variety of academic interests, financial circumstances, and professional goals.

Field Courses, Research, and Professional Development

• Advisory Council Field Camp Scholarship: Supports undergraduate and graduate students attending summer field courses.
• Alan Kehew Scholarship: Supports graduate students studying glacial geology, geomorphology, or hydrogeology, including expenses associated with field research, conference travel, and the Hydrogeology Field Course.
• Laton-Lambright Field Camp Scholarship: Supports undergraduate and graduate students attending WMU's Hydrogeology Field Course.
• W. David Kuenzi Memorial Scholarship: Supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing educational and professional development opportunities.
• William and Linda Harrison MGRRE Scholarship: Supports undergraduate and graduate students working directly with WMU's Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education.

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Core of Four Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students completing core geology courses. Applicants must meet specific academic standing, coursework, GPA, and volunteer service requirements.
• John and Kelly Grace Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students, with preference for students studying science education, mineralogy, petrology, economic geology, or crystallography.
• Lloyd and Marilyn Schmaltz Endowed Scholarship for Geosciences: Supports undergraduate geoscience majors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who demonstrate financial need. Geographic preferences apply.
• Lloyd and Marilyn Schmaltz MGRRE Scholarship: Supports junior-level undergraduate geology majors, with preference for students demonstrating academic achievement, professional engagement, and an interest in Michigan geology.
• Roger and LuAnne Steininger Geology Scholarship: Supports junior- and senior-level undergraduate geology majors with demonstrated financial need and a commitment to a geology career.
• Shirley J. Aiken Geosciences Scholarship: Supports junior- and senior-level undergraduate majors, with preference for students interested in geochemistry, mining, and minerals. Volunteer service and multidisciplinary study are also considered.

Graduate and Specialized Scholarships

• Department Graduate Student Scholarship: Supports graduate students conducting thesis or dissertation research using geological core materials from MGRRE. Preference is given to research involving Michigan Basin cores and applications in areas such as geochemistry, geomechanics, petrology, and stratigraphy.
• Randall Kerhin Graduate Scholarship: Supports full-time graduate students, with preference for students maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Lauren D. Hughes Environmental Scholarship: Supports junior-level undergraduate and master's-level graduate students in water-related programs who demonstrate an interest in water quality.

Additional Departmental Scholarships

• The Hawkins Family and Warwick Family Endowed Scholarship: Supports full-time undergraduate and graduate students, with preference and priority criteria related to educational challenges, financial need, academic achievement, and other eligibility factors.
• Tom Straw Scholarship: Supports undergraduate and graduate students in geological and environmental sciences.
• Douglas Daniels Endowed Geosciences Scholarship and Award: Additional eligibility and award information should be confirmed through ScholarshipUniverse.

Department-Affiliated Scholarship Opportunities

Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society Scholarship

The Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society offers a scholarship for eligible WMU students pursuing degrees in Earth Science, Geology, Geophysics, or Hydrogeology who plan to participate in a qualifying summer field course.

Applicants must meet academic eligibility requirements and submit supporting application materials.

View Scholarship Requirements and Application Instructions

College and University Funding Opportunities

Students are encouraged to explore additional funding available through WMU's College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate College.

College of Arts and Sciences

• Climate Change Research Graduate Scholarship
• Graduate Research Assistantship Awards
• Arts and Sciences International Study Scholarship

University and Graduate College

• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award
• Graduate College fellowships, scholarships, and grants

Explore additional opportunities through WMU ScholarshipUniverse and the WMU Graduate College.

External Scholarships and Professional Organizations

Additional scholarships, field course awards, and research funding may be available through professional organizations and community partners.

Students are encouraged to explore opportunities offered by:

• Michigan Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists
• National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• Minnesota Ground Water Association
• Geological Society of America
• American Geophysical Union
• National Ground Water Association
• American Geosciences Institute

External scholarship availability, eligibility requirements, and deadlines may change from year to year.

Questions About Scholarships?

Students with questions about departmental scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, or the application process are encouraged to contact the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.