Physics Scholarships
Physicists Work in Energy, Atomic and Plasma Specialties
Students pursuing degrees in Physics are often planning on careers in academics or in government. As you will see from the scholarships we've assembled the federal government is a huge source of jobs for physicists. Professionals may work in a wide range of specialties, including energy and astronomy, as well as sub-specialties like plasma physics, molecular and atomic physics and optical physics.
Look for scholarships from nearly any college or university that provides a physics program.
Federal Scholarships
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Scholarships are awarded to many students pursuing degrees in technology, math, engineering and sciences, including physics. The purpose is to remedy a lagging competency in these fields and offer monetary incentive to students to find new interest in the careers. The hitch: scholarships recipients must be willing to work for the DHS if positions are available following graduation. The program awards students $1,000 each month of academic involvement. Recipients must accept a summer internship with the DHS.
The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors scholarships suited to Physics students in the following areas:
- The Federal government remains focused on the business of nuclear energy and while they are the demand for students interested in pursuing nuclear physics is high. The Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics Scholarship and Fellowship Program is designed for undergraduates in nuclear studies. Students applying for the scholarships must be enrolled in an institution that participates in the program, ie, Clemson University, Ohio State, Purdue and MIT, among others.
- Scholarships and fellowships in High Energy Physics provide students with generous opportunities in programs that offer such cutting edge studies as plasma physics. Students with excellent academic records may compete for internships at DOE laboratory and research sites. There are also programs designed for women and minorities.
Professional and Organizational Scholarships
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships are among some of the most competitive and well-known in the math and sciences. Students must apply through participating colleges and universities. Barry Goldwater Scholars must be junior or seniors in an undergraduate program. A few hundred awards are given to academically outstanding students. Awards are up to $7500.
College Scholarships
James Madison University in Virginia offers the following scholarships to undergraduate Physics majors:
- New students including freshmen and transfer students may qualify for the Presidential scholarships. Eligible applicants must be willing to declare the physics major and demonstrate academic excellence. Awards vary.
- J. Robert Gordon Scholarship is named for a former faculty member of the Physics department. This award is based on a faculty nomination and is open to first year Physics students.
- Shenandoah Electronics Intelligence Scholarships are a continuation of the first-year Presidential Scholarships. Recipients who can maintain academic records receive up to $1,000 to put toward tuition costs.
- Physics Alumni Faculty Scholarship is funded by the alumni foundation. Upper level Physics majors who are at the top of their class will win $1,000 awards.
Students in undergraduate or graduate studies in Physics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln maybe eligible for scholarships sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Among the programs are the following:
- John Almy Scholarship is awarded to a student who best embodies the spirit of the physics department in combination with an unparalleled drive to succeed in the field.
- U.S. Harkson Memorial Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students whose career goal is to teach within their field.
- Physics and Astronomy Alumni Scholarships go to new students in the major.
Physics students pursuing a degree at Virginia Tech may qualify for one of the scholarships:
- H.Y. Loh Award goes to a top senior graduating with a degree in Physics.
- Alice Estes Martin Scholarship is designed for academically talented Physics majors with a passionate interest in teaching the subject.
- The Frank Leigh Robeson Scholarship is awarded to students based on a variety of criteria including academics, personal character, career goals and extracurricular activities.
- Colonel Nelson Carey Brown Memorial Scholarships go to Physics majors for both academic potential and financial need.
