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Scholarships, Grants and Endowments

Through the generous donations of alumni, faculty, industry and members of our community, the Geosciences Department awards scholarships, research grants and support for field trips and our field camp facility.  To establish a new award or contribute to an existing award, please contact the Department Chair.  Alternatively, go to the ISU donation page and click the 'Select Option' pull-down and designate 'Other Fund.' In the text box below, specify which named Geoscience Endowment you would like to support.

To apply for any of the scholarships below, apply through the BOSS System in the spring or contact the department chair for details.

Underlined scholarships are our preferred donation targets.

Academic Scholarships

  • These awards support in-semester student expenses associated with tuition, class fees and related costs.
    • James D. Stephens Scholarship
      • Our largest scholarship for students...totaling over $20k each year!
      • Minimum GPA: Undergraduates (2.0) and Graduate students (3.0)
      • Spring application for the following academic year. 
    • The Thomas R. Sherwood Memorial Scholarship
      • Designed to provide scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need. 
      • Preference is given to non-traditional students who are residents of Idaho.

 

Geology Field Camp Scholarships

  • These awards have traditionally been used to enable student participation ISU's summer Geology Field Camp
    • The Shirley Sargent Scholarship
      • Recipients should demonstrate motivation, academic achievement, & leadership potential.
      • Minimum 2.5 GPA.
    • The Mary B. Strawn Memorial Scholarship
      • This award provides tuition and educational expenses for one undergraduate ISU Geology major attending ISU's Geology Field Camp.  Preference is given for applicants with financial need and demonstrated academic promise. 
    • The Andrei L. Isotoff Geology Scholarship
      • Award recipients demonstrate academic excellence as well as motivation, merit and potential in academics and personal leadership. 
      • Minimum 2.5 GPA .
    • The Ted V. Reid Memorial Scholarship
      • Preference to Nontraditional students.
      • Minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need may be considered. 
    • David E. Fortsch Scholarship
      • Junior, Senior or Graduate level students.
      • Minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need may be considered.

 

Research Support Awards

  • The Jeff Geslin Geosciences Research Fund
    • For support of graduate student research, in particular to make unfunded or minimally funded projects possible. 
    • Chair emails application instructions each Spring to students.
  • The Charles and Rose Blount Geosciences Endowment
    • Funds research at undergraduate, graduate and faculty levels.
    • Supports equipment purchase/rental, fieldwork, lab work, sample prep/analysis, manuscript preparation and professional meeting presentations.
  • The Ida Sarver Kackley and Lois Lynch Kackley Bear River Endowment
    • Funds support of studies, scholarship and assistance to undergraduate and graduate students focused on the history and development of the Upper Bear River Basin.
    • Preference is given to students born in or from Idaho, whenever possible
  • The Allison and Braden Thompson Endowment Fund for Geosciences in Honor of Dr. Paul Link
    • Funds shall be used to provide support for sedimentary geology graduate research at ISU.
    • This award is used at the discretion of Dr. Paul Link

 

Key Departmental Endowments

  • The Paul Link Field Trip Endowment
    • Offsets the cost of our field-based learning experiences, primarily Seminar followed by other courses.  
    • This endowment reduces food, camping and vehicle costs to maintain our long standing tradition of field-based learning. 
  • The David E. Fortsch Endowment Fund, in support of the Paul and Katie Link Lost River Field Station
    • This endowment supports the operations and enhancements of the LRFS facility.
  • The Drs. James W. and Carol L. Mahar Endowment for Geosciences
    • This endowment is used to support critical departmental needs at the discretion of the Department Chair and Faculty