AIPG National Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by American Institute of Professional Geologists
Purpose and overview
The AIPG scholarship program helps offset college costs and encourages student involvement in the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG). Each year up to ten awards are available to declared undergraduate majors in the geological sciences who have reached at least sophomore standing. Application instructions and requirements follow.
Scholarship amounts and intended use
- Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000 per recipient.
- Scholarships are to be used for educational expenses such as tuition and/or room and board.
Who may apply
- Applicants must be declared majors in geology or earth science and have completed at least one year of college (sophomore standing or higher).
- Students enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university are eligible; this includes international students who are members of AIPG.
- Applicants must either be a current student member of AIPG or have submitted a student membership application at the time the scholarship application is filed.
Recipient obligation
- Each scholarship recipient must, upon accepting the award, write a 600–800 word article on a current professional topic for publication in The Professional Geologist.
Required application materials
1. Cover letter: Introduce yourself and summarize out-of-classroom activities (e.g., research, student leadership, community involvement). Explain short- and long-term career goals and your academic plan (for example, if you attend a two-year school, indicate whether you plan to transfer and earn a four-year degree; if at a four-year school, indicate whether you plan to pursue graduate study).
2. Essay: A single-page essay titled “Why I Want to be a Geologist.” Formatting is strictly required: 800 words maximum, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1-inch margins, left-justified, submitted as a Word (.doc/.docx) file. Winning essays will be published in The Professional Geologist exactly as submitted (unedited).
3. Portrait photograph for publication alongside the essay in The Professional Geologist.
4. Unofficial transcript and proof of current enrollment. Applicants must meet the minimum academic criteria at the time of application: overall GPA of at least 2.8 (4.0 scale) and at least 12 semester credits in geology/geoscience with a 3.0 GPA in those courses.
5. Letter of recommendation from a geology/geoscience professor that comments on the applicant’s classroom performance, departmental involvement, and character (including teamwork and support of fellow students). The recommending professor may email the letter to aipg@aipg.org or upload it at https://aipg.org/page/UndergradeRecLtr. Applicants should notify their professor to ensure timely submission.
How to submit
- Online submission (preferred) or email to aipg@aipg.org.
- Questions about the process: phone (303) 412-6205 or email aipg@aipg.org.
- If sending materials by email, use this subject-line format: AIPG Scholarship - Type of Scholarship (Undergrad or Grad) - Last Name - Submission. Example: AIPG Scholarship - Undergraduate - Doe - Essay - Letter of Recommendation. You may attach all materials in a single email and, if needed, as one file.
Deadline and award notification
- All application materials must be received by midnight Mountain Standard Time (MST) on February 1 (i.e., before February 1).
- Scholarship recipients will be selected and awards announced in May.
Selection criteria
- The Education Committee will evaluate applications using the cover letter, transcript, letter of recommendation, and the essay’s content and creativity. The Committee’s decisions are final.