SPS - Google Scholarship

Share This:

Applications Due March 15

If this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday

Recipients:
2024 | 2023

Scholarship Overview

This scholarship was created to support passionate physics and astronomy students as they pursue their dreams. This award seeks to aid undergraduate students with the potential and intention for continued scholastic success who are in need or have overcome signficant obstacles. Particular consideration is given to those that may have overcome significant obstacles in their professional journey. This scholarship is supported by Google.

Scholarship at a Glance

  • Up to five $10,000 awards will be given this year.
  • Awardees will be connected to google through special events.
  • Particular consideration is given to those that may have overcome significant obstacles in their professional journey.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be undergraduate members of the SPS national organization. Physics and astronomy students experiencing financial hardship can apply for a membership fee waiver by contacting sps [at] aip.org.
  • Preference will be given to students in their third year or fourth year of undergraduate studies.
  • Open to students on Visa and indepedent of imigration status - a W-9 is required for receipt of the award.
  • Applicants must have at least one full semester or quarter of studies remaining at the time of award.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application, no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

  • General information form
  • A statement by the applicant providing evidence of financial need and has demonstrated interest and perseverance in their studies and has overcome significant obstacles in their professional path or demonstrates financial need. The statement should be no more than one page and comment about their journey, significant obstacles, and future career plans.
  • Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. Transcripts must be postmarked by the application deadline and mailed to:

SPS Scholarship Program
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

  • Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
  • Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives
  • Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS activities
  • Certification from the Department Chair that the applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
    • Demonstrated student interest and perseverance in physics or astronomy
    • the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
    • Active participation in the department and in clubs/programs outside the classroom, such as SP

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS Scholarship Committee shall consider with equal weight:

  1. Demonstrated interest and perseverance in physics or astronomy.
  2. Exhibition of effort and the potential for continued scholastic development.
  3. Active participation in the department and in clubs/programs outside the classroom, such as SPS.

Particular consideration is given to students in their third year of undergraduate studies who may have overcome significant obstacles in their professional journey, including but not limited to first generation college students and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Details for Awardees

Awardees will be required to submit a completed W-9 federal tax form (or equivalent for international students) before funds are dispersed.

Questions

Please address questions related to this award to SPS-Programs [at] aip.org.