Internal Scholarships

Some of these scholarships are exclusive to College of Optical Sciences students, and others are offered to all University of Arizona students who qualify. If you have any questions about these awards, please contact scholarships@optics.arizona.edu.  


Arthur G. (Jerry) and Beatrice DeBell Memorial Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship was established in honor of Arthur G. (Jerry) DeBell and his wife, Beatrice, by associates of the College of Optical Sciences.

  • Eligibility: Graduate student or senior undergraduate at the College of Optical Sciences with an exceptional academic record and a demonstrated intent to pursue applied optics

  • Deadline: Candidates are nominated by faculty members

ARCS Foundation Inc. Achievement Rewards for College Scientists

  • The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation provides scholarships to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, medicine and engineering, thereby contributing to the advancement of science and technology.
  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens admitted to a UA Ph.D. program in science, technology or engineering with a GPA of 3.05 or better with a research focus that will positively impact the "health and/or welfare of mankind"

  • Deadline: Announced by the UA Graduate College

David H. Cushing Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship is made possible by Helen Cushing in honor of her late husband, David, in loving memory of their life together and his passion for thin films technology.

  • Eligibility: Undergraduate student who is a U.S. citizen enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences pursuing a course of study in thin films or a closely related subject

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

Eustace L. Dereniak Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship is offered courtesy of generous donations from Eustace L. Dereniak, his wife, Barbara, his daughters, Teresa and Andreana, and many of the students who have valued his dedication to their education.

  • Eligibility: Junior undergraduate who is a U.S. citizen studying optical engineering at the College of Optical Sciences with a minimum 3.0 GPA; history of volunteer activity preferred

  • Deadline: Announced in the spring by the College of Optical Sciences

Graduate Access Fellowship

  • The University of Arizona Graduate College's Graduate Access Fellowship is intended to broaden the access of U.S. students to graduate education and to promote the diversity of our graduate student body.

  • Eligibility: Incoming domestic graduate students who have shown academic achievement despite facing challenging social, economic or educational obstacles

  • Deadline: Applicants fill out the Eligibility Affidavit Form; final candidates are selected by the associate dean

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship

  • The U.S. Department of Education's GAANN fellowship serves as a recruitment tool for outstanding graduate student applicants and as an incentive for current Ph.D. students who qualify.

  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a high degree of financial need and strong academic record who are pursuing a terminal degree

  • Deadline: Please contact the associate dean if interested

Graduate Tuition Scholarship

  • The University of Arizona Graduate College's Graduate Tuition Scholarship serves as a recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants.

  • Eligibility: Admitted students with a GPA of 3.0 or better in good academic standing

  • Deadline: Please contact the associate dean if interested

Jack D. Gaskill Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This endowed scholarship is due to the generous leadership gift from professor emeritus Jack D. Gaskill to commemorate his retirement from teaching, as well as contributions from OSC alumni and friends.

  • Eligibility: Junior or senior undergraduate students at the College of Optical Sciences

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

James M. Palmer Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship honors professor emeritus James M. Palmer, who helped establish OSC's undergraduate program before his death in 2007.

  • Eligibility: Full-time third- to fifth-year undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences; demonstrated need preferred

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

John B. Hayes and Jane C. Quale Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship is offered thanks to the generous contributions of John B. Hayes, Jane C. Quale and their family.

  • Eligibility: Ph.D. students with a minimum GPA of 3.7, an involvement with extracurricular activities and interests beyond science and technology; U.S. citizenship and English proficiency preferred

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

John E. Greivenkamp Endowed Scholarship in the College of Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship is offered in honor of John E. Greivenkamp, professor of optical sciences and of ophthalmology and founding curator of the Museum of Optics, by his collaborator and friend David Steed.

  • Eligibility: Undergraduates entering their third or fourth year, enrolled full-time at the College of Optical Sciences, who demonstrate an exemplary work ethic, technical creativity and inventiveness

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

John Tipton Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship honors all men and women who accept duty and consequence and who dedicate their lives to making positive change in the world, their country or their community and bears the name of U.S. Army Captain John E. Tipton, who was killed in an explosion while conducting combat operations in Iraq in 2004

  • Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences who are U.S. citizens maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrating a need for financial assistance; incoming freshmen with a minimum high-school GPA of 3.4 and a demonstrated need for financial assistance

  • Deadline: Announced in the spring by the College of Optical Sciences

Kenneth E. and Michele L. Moore Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • The Moore Scholarship is the result of a gift from Kenneth E. Moore, Ph.D. 1991, and his wife, Michele.

  • Eligibility: Students enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences, making satisfactory progress towards completion of their degrees; U.S. citizens; full-time status; with an aptitude for optical engineering; preference given to those with a demonstrated need for financial assistant and an established record of academic achievement

  • Deadline: Applications will be solicited

Louise A. Wyant Memorial Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship was endowed in honor of watercolor artist Louise A. Wyant, a Cambridge, Mass., native who moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 1974 and lived there with her husband, Jim, and son, Clair, until her death in 2004.

  • Eligibility: Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA applying to their first year of the Ph.D. program at the College of Optical Sciences

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

Marathay Family Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship was endowed by emeritus professor Arvind Marathay and his wife, Sunita, to support undergraduate students in the fields of classical optics, quantum optics and optical engineering.

  • Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students at the College of Optical Sciences with a minimum GPA of 3.0; incoming freshmen with a minimum high-school GPA of 3.4; preference given to students from India or of Indian descent

  • Deadline: Applications will be solicited

Mary Jo Lake Memorial Fellowship in Optical Sciences

  • Before her death in 2000, longtime Arizona resident Mary Jo Lake and her husband, James, established a memorial fellowship for female students in the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.

  • Eligibility: Female students who are U.S. citizens

  • Deadline: Candidates are nominated by faculty members

Peter W. Likins Graduate Fellowship Award

  • In recognition of his outstanding vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to diversity and excellence, the Board of Directors of the University of Arizona Foundation established a permanent endowment in honor of the 18th President of the University of Arizona, Peter "Pete" Likins.

  • Eligibility: First- or second-year graduate student admitted to a UA degree-granting major. Must be in good academic standing. 

  • Deadline: Candidates are nominated by the college

Philip N. and Joan A. Slater Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • This scholarship, courtesy of emeritus professor Philip N. Slater and his wife, Joan, supports graduate students at the College of Optical Sciences who demonstrate an aptitude for optical engineering and design, remote sensing, or radiometry.

  • Eligibility: Graduate students who are U.S. citizens and full-time students; demonstrated financial need preferred

  • Deadline: Announced in the spring by the College of Optical Sciences

Richard A. Harvill Graduate Fellowship

  • The University of Arizona Graduate College's Richard A. Harvill Graduate Fellowship commemorates the university's president from 1951 to 1971, the period in which the institution took its place among the leading research universities of the west.

  • Eligibility: Senior undergraduates admitted to UA doctoral programs with GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

  • Deadline: Please contact the associate dean if interested

Rolyn Optics Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Awards

  • Rolyn Optics Co. president John J. Ross created the Rolyn Optics awards in 1997 to recognize and reward College of Optical Sciences graduate students who have done outstanding work as teaching assistants.

  • Eligibility: Graduate students with teaching assistant positions at the College of Optical Sciences

  • Deadline: Candidates are nominated by faculty members

SCHOTT Advanced Optics Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in the College of Optical Sciences

  • SCHOTT North America Inc. founded this award for students interested in optical materials, processing, or design and manufacturing; recipients may be invited to participate in an internship program.

  • Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors at the College of Optical Sciences who are U.S. citizens and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; preference given for international experience

  • Deadline: Candidates will be nominated by the faculty

Science Foundation Arizona Graduate Research Fellowship Program

  • The SFAz GRF program supports outstanding new graduate students, both domestic and international, in science, engineering and technology.

  • Eligibility: Exceptional M.S. engineering and Ph.D. students

  • Deadline: Candidates will be nominated by the faculty

William L. Wolfe Family Endowed Scholarship in Optical Sciences

  • Emeritus professor William Wolfe generously established this scholarship to honor his family and to support graduate students pursuing careers in infrared optics.

  • Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate student at the College of Optical Sciences with a 3.7 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale, good moral character and an intent to study infrared optics or a closely related field; history of volunteer activity preferred

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences

Willis E. Lamb Jr. Endowed Scholarships in Optical Sciences

  • A group of generous donors have funded two scholarships, used to recruit outstanding candidates for the College of Optical Sciences doctoral program, in the name of late Regents' Professor of physics and optical sciences and Nobel laureate Willis E. Lamb Jr.

  • Eligibility: Graduate students in pursuit of a Ph.D. degree

  • Deadline: Announced by the College of Optical Sciences