University Scholarships
For information regarding university scholarships, please visit the following pages at the Office of Admissions:
Earth Sciences Department Scholarships
All Earth Sciences scholarships are due Monday, April 15th, 2024.
The Department is pleased to be able to assist a few worthy students to achieve their educational objectives. The scholarships listed below honor past members of the Department. Contributions to these funds honor the person for whom they are named, the award recipients, the Department and the donor (and their employer, if matching grants are available).
To Apply
All of the department scholarships (both undergraduate and graduate) must now be applied for through the Cat Scholarships Program. If you have any questions or experience issues, please reach out to Claudia Albrecht (claudia.albrecht@montana.edu). Graduate students will also need to fill out the Graduate Student Scholarship Application Form (sent out via email) in addition to applying on Cat Scholarships.
To Donate
If you would like to contribute to any these funds, or to initiate a fund, please contact the Department at 406-994-3331, or the MSU Alumni Foundation.
Department Scholarships Award Recipients
Department of Earth Sciences
UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS
Kenny Dye Memorial Scholarship
This annual award remembers Kenny Dye '84, a junior in the Geology program at the time of his death. Kenny was an outgoing person whose passing left a quiet hole in the Department. It is awarded to a Geology student, above the sophomore level, with a minimum 2.50 GPA, who best exemplifies Kenny's spirit of enjoyment and service to the Department and community. Preference (among males) is given to members of Sigma Nu fraternity.
Kenny Dye Memorial Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Undergrad above the sophomore level
- Must be enrolled in the geology program
- Maintain a GPA of 2.5
- Be of good citizenship and character
- Be a full-time student with satisfactory academic progress
- Preference given to male applicants who are members of Sigma Nu Frat
Jim Edie Geography Scholarship
This award, honoring long-time Geography teacher, Department Head, Acting Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, and Emeritus Professor of Geography Milton (Jim) Edie, is presented to a worthy student in the Geography program based on demonstrated academic prowess or potential.
Jim Edie Geography Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Record of good citizenship and character
- Be registered in the geography program
- Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
- Award given to one undergrad and one grad student
C.C. Bradley Scholarship
These awards, one each to a geography and geology student, recognize former Professor of Geology Charles C. Bradley. Dr. Bradley was one of the first faculty in the department (in 1950), became the first Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences (in 1964), and was a leader in the field of environmental science. They are awarded on the basis of strong academic performance.- To be determined by the Earth Sciences faculty
- Award given to one geology and one geography student
NewFields Earth Science Scholarship
This award is presented to a undergraduate student in the Earth Sciences program.NewFields scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Pursuing a degree in Earth Science.
- Be a student with financial needs, but does not qualify for need-based aid.
Top Seniors in Geology and Geography
Top seniors in geology and geography are selected by faculty. No money is awarded but student's name is placed on departmental plaque.
Department of Earth Sciences
GRADUATE AWARDS
Donald L. Smith Memorial Scholarship
This award memorializes Professor Donald L. Smith, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences (1980-83) at the time of his death. One (usually) scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student in Geology, with preference given to those involved in field geology. Criteria include academic potential and progress, initiative, dedication and resourcefulness.Donald L. Smith Memorial Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Geology student in M.S. or Ph.D. program
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0
- Be of good citizenship and character
- Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
Barry C. Bishop Scholarship for Mountain Research
This scholarship honors Barry Bishop, long-time mountaineer and mountain scientist, who was an adjunct faculty member in the department at the time of his passing. It is awarded to a first-year graduate student in the department with a research interest in mountain environments on the basis of the quality of their thesis proposal.
Barry C. Bishop Scholarship for Mountain Research Eligibility Criteria:
- First year graduate student enrolled in either geology or geography program
- M.S. or Ph.D.
- Demonstrate the ability to write a quality research proposal for field-based research in a mountain environment
Jim Edie Geography Scholarship
This award, honoring long-time Geography teacher, Department Head, Acting Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, and Emeritus Professor of Geography Milton (Jim) Edie, is presented to a worthy student in the Geography program based on demonstrated academic prowess or potential.
Jim Edie Geography Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Record of good citizenship and character
- Be registered in the geography program
- Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
- Award given to one undergrad and one grad student
Marathon Oil Scholarship
This award is presented to a graduate student in the Earth Sciences program based on academic achievement and on the quality of their research proposal.
Marathon Oil scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- M.S. or Ph.D.
- Thesis research related to petroleum geoscience