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.

Jack D. Gaskill Endowed Scholarship

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 optic 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.

Mary Jo Lake Memorial Fellowship in Optical Sciences

Award: $2,550
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for outstanding graduate student applicants
Eligibility: Female Optical Sciences student who is a US citizen
Source: A gift from James and Mary Jo Lake
Application: Nominations are made by faculty during the current semester.

Willis E. Lamb Scholarship in Optical Sciences

Award: Covers student stipend, tuition, University fees, and health insurance for up to four years
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for exceptional candidates
Eligibility: Graduate student in pursuit of a PhD 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 Doctoral Dissertation

Marathay Family Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Optical Sciences

Award: Varies, based on the expendable balance from the endowment.
Purpose: Support for undergraduate students in the fields of classical optics, quantum optics, or optical engineering.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full time at the College of Optical Sciences maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. Incoming freshmen are eligible to compete for the award having received a minimum 3.4 GPA from their respective high schools. The award is need-based. Preference will be given to students from the country of India or of Indian descent.
Source: A generous donation from Arvind Marathay, Emeritus Professor at the College of Optical Sciences, and his wife, Sunita.
Application: Applications will be solicited. Successful applicants may re-apply up to three years.

James M. Palmer Endowed Scholarship

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.

Rolyn Optics Award

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.

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

Award: $3,000 for one academic year.
Purpose: Support for outstanding undergraduate students with an interest in optical materials, processing, or design and manufacturing.
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomore or junior students who are enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences and demonstrate interest in the fields of optical materials, processing, design and manufacturing or closely related fields. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be US citizens. Preference may be given to students with international experience. Recipients may be invited to participate in the SCHOTT internship program but are not required to accept the internship, if offered.
Source: Generous contributions from SCHOTT, www.us.schott.com
Application: Application is competitive. An Optical Sciences committee will recommend a recipient and final selection will be made by a designated SCHOTT representative.

John Tipton Scholarship in Optical Sciences

Award: Five students annually at $3,000 each per year.
Purpose: Support and/or recruitment incentive for outstanding students.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Optical Sciences who are U.S. citizens maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Incoming freshman are eligible to compete for the award having received a minimum 3.4 GPA from their respective high schools. All candidates must qualify as need-based students in accordance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program standards (FAFSA). At the discretion of the college one scholarship may be offered to recruit an outstanding scholar irrespective of financial need.
Source: Generous contributions from Dr. Sean McCafferty: www.optics.arizona.edu/Academics/ScholarshipsTipton.htm
Application: A scholarship committee designated by the Dean of the College of Optical Sciences will select recipients.

William L. Wolfe Family Scholarship

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.

Louise Wyant Scholarship in Optical Sciences

Award: Covers student stipend, tuition, University fees, and health insurance for up to two years
Purpose: Recruitment incentive for exceptional PhD candidates
Eligibility: Graduate student in pursuit of a PhD 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 PhD dissertation. Supporting recommendation letters must address the applicant's unique qualifications for the scholarship. A committee of the Optical Sciences faculty will review applications and announce recipient at the end of the Spring semester 2009.

Graduate College Fellowship

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

Graduate Registration Scholarship

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

Graduate Tuition Scholarship

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

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship

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

Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

Award: $30,000 per year for two years, plus tuition
Purpose: Support outstanding new graduate students, both domestic and international, in science, engineering, and technology
Eligibility: Exceptional PhD students, MS engineering students, and dual degree MD/PhD medical students.
Source; Science Foundation Arizona
Application: Candidates must be nominated by the University of Arizona degree-granting academic unit selected to participate in the UA campus-wide SFAZ program.