Student Support and Scholarships


Departmental Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, the Department of Geology has been able to award about $200,000 in scholarships each year. There are currently over 35 scholarship and travel grant funds, some of which support multiple recipients each year. Some have requirements for scholastic achievement, some require financial need, and others have neither requirement; some are restricted to undergraduates (e.g., entering freshmen), some are for graduate students only, and some are for either. The scholarships typically support cost of attending KSU, travel to meetings or field research areas, and field camp attendance. This financial assistance can make a big difference!

Application for these scholarships is simple. This information is distributed to students in the spring and scholarships are awarded at the Annual Awards Banquet. If you are an outstanding high school student interested in one of our freshman scholarships, please contact the Department Head, Dr. Pamela Kempton.

For Geology majors (and graduate students) who are interested in becoming certified teachers, the K-State TEACH program offers significant financial support.


Scholarships Available

AAPG Field Camp Scholarship

Provides undergraduate and graduate geology students with funds for geoscience education expenses

William J. Barrett Fund for Excellence in Geology

To assist geology students at K-State, with preference given to those with interests in petroleum geology

Henry V. Beck Student Field Geology Fund

Awarded to geology students to assist with costs of field geology activities (including summer field camp)

Frank E. Byrne Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to geology majors to help with costs of summer geology field camps

Dr. Sambhudas "Sam" Chaudhuri - Mary Vanier Family Scholarship

To provide financial aid to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geology at K-State

J.R. Chelikowsky Scholarship

To assist junior or senior geology majors with a record of academic excellence

Chesapeake Energy Corporation Distinguished Scholars

To provide fianancial aid to outstanding graduate students in geology who intend to pursue careers in the oil and gas industry

James and Karen Clowers Scholarship

This scholarship is established to provide financial assistance to Kansas State University students who are majoring in Geology

The Robert J. Dietterich Memorial Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to K-State students majoring in Geology, and to transfer Rob's enthusiasm for dedication to future generations

John L. Garlough Geology Graduate Teaching Assistantship

To provide a contribution to the financial support for a graduate teaching assistant

Geology Distinguished Professorship Graduate Student Support Fund

To support graduate students studying in the area of Energy Resources, including traditional oil and gas exploration and development, as well as new technologies or ideas involving the earth or minerals that may be used to generate, store, transmit, and develop energy or its uses

Geosciences Building Fund Graduate Student Support Initiative

To assist the Department of Geology in the recruitment of outstanding graduate students in any area of geology

Henry J. Putnam Geology Fellowship

The Henry J. Putnam Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarships offered by K-State. Co-funded by the Department of Geology, it is awarded to students with the highest record of academic achievement

John L. and Marilyn A. Johnson Hern Geology Scholarship

To assist K-State geology majors, with preference given to graduates of high schools in Reno County

Hydrogeology Scholarship - Bill Johnson '56

Awarded to a geology major interested in the study of groundwater

Howard Lee Kendall Memorial Fund

To assist juniors, seniors, or graduate students in geology at K-State

K-State Geology 'Hammer' Award

Awarded in recognition of achievement in petrology class by an undergraduate in geology

Elden E. & Sylvia H. Leasure Student Field Geology Scholarship

Awarded to geology majors to assist with costs of field geology activities

Woody and Lynne Leel - Mary Vanier Family Scholarship

To provide financial aid to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geology at K-State

Anita C. Lehner Geology Scholarship

To assist deserving undergraduate or graduate students in geology or geophysics at K-State

H.E. Mathy Geology Endowment

To provide financial support to the Department of Geology

Mudge-Thompson Geology Scholarship

To assist undergraduate or graduate students in geology or geophysics at K-State

Danheim Nelson Scholarship/Fellowship Fund

To provide financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students interested in field mapping and/or laboratory investigation of linear pattern geology

Newfield Exploration Company Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to graduate students in geology at Kansas State University

Ivy Fuller Olds Geology Scholarship

To assist students at K-State who are majoring in geology

Petroleum Geology Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to geology majors with interests in petroleum geology or geophysics

Gary and Kathie Sandlin Geology Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to graduate students in geology at K-State

Ronald D. Schulz Memorial Scholarship

To assist undergraduate juniors, seniors, or graduate students majoring in geology, with a preference given to Kansas natives and students with an interest in earth science education

Claude W. Shenkel Jr. First-Year Scholarship

To assist entering first-semester freshman declaring majors in geology

Snyder Geology Support Fund

To assist graduate students majoring in geology

Arthur B. Sperry Memorial Scholarship Fund

Awarded to an outstanding geology major entering his/her senior year

Charles and Helen Steincamp Geology Scholarship

To honor Charles and Helen Steincamp, and to provide financial assistance to students in the Department of Geology at K-State

Paul & Deana Strunk Geology Fellowship

To provide financial aid to graduate teaching and research assistants in geology at K-State

Ada Swineford Geology Graduate Assistantship

To provide financial assistance for a graduate student at K-State

Topeka Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. Scholarship

To assist students at K-State who are majoring in geology

Iris M. Totten Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to an outstanding geology major interested in the study of geoscience

Page C. Twiss Graduate Fellowship in Geology

To assist a graduate student in geology at K-State

David C. Underwood Geology Scholarship

To assist outstanding graduate and undergraduate students in geology at K-State who are likely to show leadership in careers in geology

Neil Wendling Memorial Scholarship

To assist a K-State geology major who is entering his or her junior year

Verna H. & Arthur K. Wilhelm Geology Scholarship

To assist undergraduate students majoring in geology at K-State who are entering their junior or senior year

Gale R. and Linda M. Yarrow Graduate Student Fellowship

To assist a graduate student in geology, with preference given to a married student with dependents

Additional local opportunities

The Kansas Geological Society and the Kansas Geological Foundation offer scholarships to geology majors at Kansas universities. The Kansas Geological Society is an organization of professional geologists interested in furthering the education, applications, and awareness of geology in Kansas. Many of their members are graduates of KSU.

KSU maintains an up-to-date listing of student employment opportunities here.