Scholarships Offered Annually or Each Semester

Some of these scholarships are exclusive to Optical Sciences students and others are offered to all University of Arizona students who qualify.

Arthur G. DeBell Memorial Scholarship

Award: $2,000
Purpose: A memorial fund in honor of Arthur G. (Jerry) DeBell, established by the associates of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona
Eligibility: Recipient(s) must be United States citizens majoring in optical sciences or optical engineering. The scholarship is normally awarded to graduate students, but is available to optical engineering seniors in exceptional cases. Selection is based on academic excellence, rather than financial need, with criteria to include past performance, promise for the future and a demonstrated intention to pursue a career in applied optics. Selection is made annually by a committee of Optical Sciences faculty.
Source: Arthur G. (Jerry) DeBell Memorial Fund
Application: Nominations are made by faculty members and selected by a faculty committee during the Spring Semester.

Award: $7,000
Purpose: Ensure that a promising student will have the resources to complete a baccalaureate degree at Optical Sciences.
Eligibility: The scholarship is open to BS degree students who will have achieved junior or senior standing by the Fall Semester and who are enrolled in the Optical Sciences program at the University of Arizona. Selection is based on merit, achievement, and future potential within the optics industry.
Source: A generous leadership gift from Professor Emeritus Jack D. Gaskill to commemorate his retirement from teaching and contributions from Optical Sciences alumni and friends.
Application: Each applicant is required to write an original essay titled Why I Became Interested in Optics.

Award: Covers student stipend, tuition, University fees, and health insurance for up to two years
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for exceptional candidates
Eligibility: Graduate student in pursuit of an MS degree
Source: The Willis E. Lamb Scholarship
Application: Each applicant submits a two-page statement of purpose, a detailed list of extracurricular activities, and a list of possible topics for a project that will lead to the Master's thesis.

Award: Varies, based on the expendable balance from the endowment.
Purpose: To support an undergraduate student who has shown an aptitude for engineering and is making satisfactory progress toward completion of the BS degree.
Eligibility: Full-time, third to fifth year undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences program.
Source: The James M. Palmer Endowed Scholarship
Application: Each applicant submits a one-page application form.

Award: $1,500
Purpose: Recognition of outstanding performance as a teaching assistant/associate
Eligibility: Demonstrate outstanding performance as a teaching assistant/associate during the current semester.
Source: Rolyn Optics Company
Application: Nominations are made by supervising faculty during the current semester.

Award: $15,000
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: Optical Sciences student who is a US citizen
Source: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
Application: During admissions process the Associate Dean, with advice from the Admissions Committee, selects a graduate student for the award.

Award: Varies based on payout from the endowment fund.
Purpose: To support Optical Sciences graduate students.
Eligibility: Optical Sciences graduate student of good moral character who intends to specialize in infrared optics or a closely related field. A record of participation in volunteer activities is desired.
Source: The William L. Wolfe Family Scholarship
Application: Applications will be sought from talented graduate students in the College of Optical Sciences.

Award: Covers student stipend, tuition, University fees, and health insurance for up to two years
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for exceptional candidates
Eligibility: Graduate student in pursuit of an MS degree
Source: The Louise Wyant Scholarship
Application: Each applicant submits a two-page statement of purpose, a detailed list of extracurricular activities, and a list of possible topics for a project that will lead to the Master's thesis.

Award: $10,000
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, admitted to regular graduate status in a graduate degree program, good academic standing, enrolled for 9 or more units during the fellowship period
Source: University of Arizona Graduate College
Application: During admissions process the Associate Dean, with advice from the Admissions Committee, selects graduate students for the awards

Award: Waiver of resident registration fees
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and enrolled for three or more graduate units, be in good academic standing
Source: University of Arizona Graduate College
Application: During admissions process the Associate Dean, with advice from the Admissions Committee, selects graduate students for the awards

Award: Waiver of resident registration fees
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and enrolled for three or more graduate units, be in good academic standing
Source: University of Arizona Graduate College
Application: During admissions process the Associate Dean, with advice from the Admissions Committee, selects graduate students for the awards

Award: $15,000 stipend, waiver of non-resident tuition, and waiver of resident registration fees.
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: GPA of 3.5 or better, be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and enrolled for nine or more graduate units, demonstrate financial need.
Source: Department of Education
Application: During admissions process the Associate Dean, with advice from the Admissions Committee, selects graduate students for the awards