Since 1972, the American Geological Institute has administered the Minority Participation Program Geoscience Student Scholarships. The goal for this program is to develop the professional corps of underrepresented ethnic-minority students in the geosciences. Recipients of AGI Geoscience Student Scholarships are provided with small financial awards and matched with a mentor from the geoscience community to foster whole professional development of the awardee. Each award will consist of both scholarship support as well as support for professional development experiences for successful candidates. Professional development experiences that qualify include field camp, professional society memberships, and/or travel and registration to a professional meeting of one of AGI’s member societies.

If you are enrolled in an earth science education or geoscience degree program and would like to apply for a scholarship for the 2011-2012 school year, please review the qualifications and procedures outlined here. The online application must be completed by March 15, 2011, and all supporting application materials should be sent by standard mail and must be postmarked by March 15, 2011.  Late applications will not be accepted.

QUALIFICATIONS - UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
A. United States citizens only. Permanent residents (green card) or applicants for U.S citizenship are not eligible.

B. Verifiable ethnic-minority status as Black, Hispanic, or Native American (American Indian, Eskimo, Hawaiian, or Samoan).

C. Financial support is for full-time students only, who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution as an undergraduate student with a primary major (i.e., degree candidate) in geoscience, including the geoscience subdisciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth-science education. This program does not support students in any other areas of study.

D. The program is available only to students currently enrolled in college geoscience programs (i.e., high school students applying to college for the 2011-2012 academic year are not eligible).

QUALIFICATIONS - GRADUATE STUDENTS
A. United States citizens only. Permanent residents (green card) or applicants for U.S citizenship are not eligible.

B. Verifiable ethnic-minority status as Black, Hispanic, or Native American (American Indian, Eskimo, Hawaiian, or Samoan).

C. Financial support is for full time students only, who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution as a graduate student majoring (i.e., degree candidate) in geoscience, including the geoscience subdisciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth-science education. This program does not support students in any other area of study.

D. The program is currently open to all qualified applicants.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Fill out the application form online by clicking on "Continue" at the bottom of this page.

The following application materials must be postmarked by March 15, 2010 in order to be considered:

• official transcripts for all colleges attended (SAT, ACT, and/or GRE scores are requested);
• two (2) letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's recent academic performance and character: geoscience faculty/employers are preferred, other science/mathematics faculty are acceptable.

B. Current recipients of AGI Minority Geoscience Scholarships must re-apply for renewal of a scholarship. Renewal applications should include completed application, transcripts for their current academic institution, and two (2) letters of recommendation including at least one not included in the previous application. The "statement of purpose" (application, pg.6) should be used to describe current academic progress and plans. Note: Scholarships are not automatically renewed.

C. All letters of recommendation should be sent directly to AGI Minority Participation Program/4220 King Street/Alexandria, VA 22302.

D. It is the applicant's responsibility to be sure that all application materials are submitted.

Direct any questions to mpp@agiweb.org.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year.