Scholarship Opportunities

There are many scholarships, grants, awards and fellowship opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University. Most of our departmental scholarships are made possible through endowments and gifts. Graduate students are eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships; these awards are limited in number and awarded on competitive basis. Additionally, the department provides additional financial support for students attending research conferences.

Departmental scholarships and awards

Each spring, the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences offers a variety of scholarships and awards to its undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients are expected to attend the annual department award ceremony in April to receive their scholarships or awards.
 

DEPARTMENT AFFILIATED SCHOLARSHIPS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS

Douglas Daniels Endowed Geosciences Scholarship and Award

Application and Eligibility Information

Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society Scholarship

Application Information and Eligibility

Available department scholarships

Advisory Council Field Camp Scholarship

• Supports undergraduate and graduate student attendance at summer field camps

Alan Kehew Scholarship

• Supports one graduate student working on glacial geology/geomorphology or hydrogeology
• Supports travel costs for field work, conference travel or for enrollment in the hydrogeology field course

Core of Four Scholarship

• Supports one or more undergraduate students in completing core courses in geology as a foundation for future employment
• Eligibility: Junior or 1st-year Senior standing with preferably a 2.5 or higher GPA. Must also have completed a physical geology courses (or equivalent) and at least two of the following courses: earth materials, stratigraphy and sedimentology, earth history, structural geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or writing/communications (writing and public speaking) course. Must also have documented volunteer services with city, church, education, disaster relief, etc. during the last 4 years.

Envirologic Technologies Scholarship

• Supports one or more full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing studies in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
• Special consideration will be given to students who (1) have overcome obstacles such as socioeconomic or educational disadvantage or disabilities; or who are first generation in their family to attend college, or (2) are members of groups that are underrepresented at WMU. Preference will be given to US citizens who demonstrate financial need and have a minimum of 3.0 GPA at time of application.

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Scholarship

• Supports one or more graduate students completing a thesis or dissertation that uses core materials in MGRRE and advised by a faculty member in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

• Eligibility: US citizen or permanent resident. First preference will be given to a student conducting research using cores from the Michigan Basin. The student's thesis or dissertation may focus on geochemical, geomechanical, petrological, diagenetic, stratigraphic, and/or geoengineering aspects of sedimentary geology/stratigraphy but should have potential applications to oil, gas or mineral exploration.

John and Kelly Grace Scholarship

• Supports one or more undergraduate students
• Preference will be given to majors in the following fields: science education, mineralogy, petrology, economic geology or crystallography 

Laton-Lambright Field Camp Scholarship

• Supports one or more undergraduate and/or graduate students to attend the WMU Hydrogeology Field Course

Lauren D. Hughes Environmental Scholarship

• Supports Junior-level undergraduates up through master’s-level graduate students in any water-related program of study
• Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate interest in water quality issues through prior activities and/or accomplishments.

Lloyd and Marilyn Schmaltz MGRRE Scholarship

• Supports one or more Junior undergraduate Geology majors
• Preference will be given to students with a 3.0 or higher GPA who demonstrate a professional level of interest in geology through activities beyond the classroom. Interest in Michigan geology is an important consideration. 

Randall Kerhin Graduate Scholarship

• Supports one or more full-time graduate students
• Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA

W. David Kuenzi Memorial Scholarship 

• Supports all undergraduate majors and minors, and graduate students without restriction

Roger and LuAnne Steininger Geology Scholarship in honor of Dr. Lloyd Schmaltz

• Supports one or more undergraduate majors
• Eligibility: Junior or Senior status and demonstrated financial need. Applicants should demonstrate they are serious about a career in geology with involvement in geological activities outside the classroom, such as field trips, club participation or volunteering.

Shirley J. Aiken Geosciences Scholarship

• Supports a Junior or Senior undergraduate major
• Preference will be given to a geochemistry student interested in entering the mining and mineral industry and students with a background in volunteerism and giving back to the community. Multidiscipline majors such as both biology and geology, or chemistry and geology will be given a positive consideration.

Tom Straw Scholarship

• Supports one or more undergraduate or graduate students

William and Linda Harrison MGRRE Scholarship

• Supports one or more undergraduate or graduate students who work directly with the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) at WMU

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

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

University scholarships

Undergraduate students

• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award

Graduate students

• Graduate College fellowships, scholarships and grants

External scholarships

• The West Michigan Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (WM-AWMA) is pleased to announce the availability of individual scholarships, each in the amount of $5000, to be awarded to selected students pursuing a career in environmental studies. Scholarship eligibility requirements and application instructions are listed on our website at wmawma.org/scholarships/. Applications must be submitted online before 12:00 midnight on Sunday, March 1, 2023.
• The National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) offers $750 award for students attending field courses. The deadline for students to apply for Scholarships for Field Study from NAGT and AWG is February 14 - coming right up! 
• The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM fields and in STEM education.  The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM and STEM education.  NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply. NSF also encourages undergraduate seniors to apply.
• A wide variety of scholarships with varying deadlines are available for undergraduate and graduate geology students from partnering professional societies such as AAPG, AGI, AGU, AIPG, AWG, GSA, NABG, NGWA, SEG and many others.