Department of Astronomy Scholarships & Awards

General Information

Applications for the majority of Scholarships and Awards administered by the SDSU Department of Astronomy are accepted from August to October during an academic year. Applications for the Mount Laguna Observatory Associates Scholarship are accepted through May. Please note that the requirements for the Service Awards and Scholarships are much different, and that the same essay should not be used if you are applying for both a Scholarship and a Service Award. The criteria employed by the faculty selection committee are given in detail in the appropriate Astronomy Department Web pages.

Applications are to be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in SSW-3605. Applicants must attach a copy of their unofficial transcript available through the Office of the Registrar. Finalists may be interviewed. The office of Marketing and Communications may use information provided in the application for publicity purposes. Astronomy Department Scholarships and Awards will be announced in a departmental ceremony and newsletter.

NOTE: Students who are financial aid recipients may have their aid packages adjusted upon the receipt of a departmental award. Students who have not applied for financial aid will be required to file a Citizenship/Immigration form available on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Web site.

Follow the links below for details on the application requirements for the individual scholarships and awards, and for the names of previous recipients. This year's application deadline is 14 October 2011, with awards announced in November.

Astronomy Majors are encouraged to keep current with the Department Office their e-mail addresses, local mailing addresses, phone numbers for special announcements related to scholarships and awards and other activities.

The Scholarships

William F. Lucas / San Diego Astronomy Association Scholarship - up to $6,000 per student.
Open to Astronomy Undergraduate Majors with at least 60 units (must have completed both Math 252 and Physics 197).

Ruth and Clifford Smith Graduate Fellowship - up to $2,000.
Open to Astronomy Graduate Students who have completed at least one semester of graduate courses in astronomy at SDSU.

Mount Laguna Observatory Associates Scholarship - $500
Open to Astronomy Undergraduate Majors with a minimum of 24 units (cannot have completed both Physics 197 and Math 252).

The Service Awards

Awona Harrington Award for Service - up to $1000.
Open to Astronomy Graduate Students and Upper Division Undergraduate Majors who have completed at least one semester of courses in Astronomy at SDSU.

Reginald F. Buller Award for Service - up to $1000.
Open to Astronomy Graduate students who have completed one semester of courses in Astronomy at SDSU.

Astronomy Department Scholarship & Award Funds

To help increase our scholarship activity, contributions may be sent to: