Scholarships for Marine Science
Study Hard and Get Financial Assistance
If you like the water and are interested in the marine world, you may well want to consider majoring in marine science at the post-secondary level. An undergraduate degree in marine science will prepare a student for career opportunities in many areas, including oceanography, research, education, law, fisheries management, and environmental policy.
Scholarship funding is available to help students reach their academic goals. Here are some examples:
National Ocean Scholar Program
High school seniors planning a career in the field of ocean sciences and who have participated in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl on at least one occasion during their high school years are invited to apply for funding from the National Ocean Scholar Program.
National Ocean Scholars will receive $3,000.00 per year for the first two years of their post-secondary education ($6,000.00 total). Applicants will submit an official transcript, a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, and a letter of acceptance from a post-secondary educational institution.
Seaspace Scholarships
Both US citizens and international students studying marine science at a US university are eligible to apply for a Seaspace Scholarship. Undergraduate (those currently in their sophomore or junior year) and graduate students who have achieved a GPA of at least 3.3 and who are able demonstrate financial need are invited to apply.
Central California Council of Diving Clubs, Inc. (Cen Cal)
Cen Cal offers the Cen Cal California Diving and Aquatic Studies Scholarship to California residents over the age of 18 who are nationally-certified divers. Recipients of the $1,000.00 scholarship must be enrolled in a California college or university and studying aquatic habitats.
To be considered, candidates are asked to submit a completed application form, a copy of their diving certification card, an official transcript, a letter of recommendation, details of any awards won/offices held/community service undertaken, and a photograph (passport sized) to be used with a press release when the winner is announced). In addition, interested individuals are asked to submit a personal statement setting out their professional goals.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
California State University students who are in their junior or senior years are eligible to apply for the Sonia Linnik Hamilton Marine Science Scholarship. This is a merit-based scholarship; a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
University of Southern Carolina, College of Arts and Sciences (Marine Science)
The University offers between 15-20 scholarships each year to marine science undergraduates. The scholarships are merit-based and range from $250.00-$500.00.
In addition, the Traci Heincelman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding junior each year. Candidates for the $1,000.00 in scholarship funds are nominated by faculty members.
Stony Brook University, Marine Sciences Research Center
Undergraduate students enrolled in either the marine science or the marine science vertebrate program at Stony Brook can apply for one of the Evan Frankel Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships provide up to $4,000.00 in financial assistance to undergraduates. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply.
Candidates are asked to submit a personal essay, transcripts (unofficial ones will be accepted), and a statement explaining how the applicant would use the scholarship funds (tuition, supplies, travel, accommodation, etc.).