All Physics and Astronomy scholarships listed below are posted to www.scholarshipuniverse.arizona.edu. Please navigate to Scholarship Universe, set up your profile, answer any questions, and then apply to scholarships for which you are eligible.
Physics: For questions, please contact David Smith (dlsmith1@arizona.edu).
Astronomy: For questions, please contact Tom Fleming (taf@arizona.edu).
For a "How to Guide" to Scholarship Universe, see at the bottom of the page.
Undergraduate
Physics or Applied Physics
Junior/Senior
Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
Undergraduate
Physics or Applied Physics
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
FAFSA required
Undergraduate
Junior/Senior (preferred)
Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
Undergraduate
Physics or Applied Physics
Undergraduate
Physics or Applied Physics
Research experience
Underrepresented (preferred)
Undergraduate
Sophomore/Junior
Research Experience
Excellence in Math & Physics courses
Junior/Senior
Astronomy Major
Full-time
Junior/Senior
Astronomy Major
Full-time
Junior/Senior
Astronomy
Full-time
3.0 GPA
Junior/Senior
Astronomy
Full-time
GPA 3.0
Junior/Senior
Astronomy
Full-time
GPA 3.0
Junior
Astronomy
Full-time
Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Astronomy
GPA 3.2+
Financial Need - Qualify for FAFSA
Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Astronomy
Full-time
Financial Need - Qualify for FAFSA
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS) is dedicated to assisting exceptional students in pursuing prestigious external awards, typically funded by esteemed foundations or government agencies. These scholarships offer not only financial support but also invaluable recognition across various disciplines and interests. The mission of ONCS is to guide and support students in their journey towards achieving these prestigious honors.
*In order to access the Truman application, students must be added to the system by Valeria Quijada (valeriaq@arizona.edu). Priority Deadline to get added to the portal is December 11th.
What is the Truman Scholarship?
The Truman Scholarship aims to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education, or elsewhere in the public service; and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service. The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. The Truman Foundation provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development. Scholars are invited to participate in a number of programs: Truman Scholar Leadership Week, The Summer Institute, and The Truman-Albright Fellows Program. Truman Scholars are obligated to work in public service for three of the seven years following the completion of their graduate work.
Who is eligible for the Truman Scholarship?
Truman Scholarship applicants must meet the following minimum criteria at the time of application:
US Citizens, US National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award.
Full-time student: [(In their penultimate year of school if graduating in 4 years or more) (In their final year of school if graduating in three years or less)].
Committed to a career in public service, defined by the Truman Foundation as “employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public-service oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment.”
In general, preference is given to nominees pursuing juris doctorate degrees and master’s and doctoral degrees in public administration, public policy, public health, international relations, government, economics, social services delivery, education and human resource development, and conservation and environmental protection.
Who is competitive for the Truman Scholarship?
Successful applicants will have an extensive record of public and community service, typically involving leadership; have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills; and be committed to a career in government or elsewhere in public service, as defined by the Truman Foundation.
Candidates can be:
pursuing any major likely to lead to a public service career
any age
interested in any graduate degree other than the MBA; and,
considering either domestic or international programs for their graduate education.
Campus Deadline:
Is on 1/13/2026 at 11:59pm and a completed application is expected by this time. A campus committee will select the 4 or 5 (if there’s a transfer student in the mix) to nominate to the Truman Foundation.
For those who are interested you can read more about our most recent Truman Scholar, Ojas Sanghi, and his experience here.
The priority deadline for students to submit their pre-application for approval is December 11th, 2025. Pre-application should take no longer than 5 mins to complete since it consists of basic biographical information.
What is the Goldwater Scholarship?
The purpose of the Goldwater Scholarship is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Goldwater Scholars demonstrate outstanding potential, and they intend to pursue research-oriented careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
Who is eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship?
Goldwater Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
Full-time sophomore (two years remaining before graduation) or junior (one year remaining before graduation) at the time of application.
Intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics, or engineering – see website for
accepted fields.
Have a college grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Be a U.S. citizen from the 50 states, or District of Columbia; a U.S. national for those students nominated by institutions in Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau; or a permanent resident –see website for more information on required documents necessary for permanent residents.
Who is competitive for the Goldwater Scholarship?
Goldwater Scholarship nominees from the UA have a record of extensive research experience in their fields or future graduate study. Successful applicants will demonstrate outstanding potential for and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and outstanding academic performance. Strong letters of recommendation that speak specifically to these factors and a polished research essay are crucial.
What is the application process for the Goldwater Scholarship?
Students must apply through the ONCS. Applications consist of the following:
Submitting a pre-application through the Goldwater online portal and getting Valeria Quijada to approve to gain access to the full application.
Application with biographical information and short answers.
Three recommendations from a faculty member who can discuss the applicant’s potential for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering; a faculty member in the applicant’s field of study; and another individual/faculty member who can attest to the applicant’s potential.
Essay discussing a significant issue or problem in the applicant’s field of study that is of particular interest to the applicant. The essay should describe the issue or problem; discuss an idea for research that would significantly impact the problem; describe how the applicant would be involved in an aspect of the research; and explain the relevance of the problem to the applicant as a mathematician, scientist, or engineer.
Unofficial College transcripts
Campus Deadline:
Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 11:59pm. A completed application is expected by the campus deadline.
A campus nomination committee reviews all of the UA applications and selects four UA nominees. We may select a fifth nominee if one of the candidates is a transfer student. They also provide feedback to the nominees. After the nominees make any necessary revisions, their applications are forwarded to the Goldwater Foundation. It reviews roughly 1200 applicants each year and selects up to 260 Goldwater Scholars. UA applicants have traditionally been successful in the competition.
In addition to the regular financial aid and scholarships that often apply to study abroad, there is a range of specific scholarships designed to help make the study abroad experience affordable and accessible. Your eligibility for these scholarships is often determined by financial need, merit, identity, the location of your study abroad program, and/or the what you are studying.
Follow the link below to learn more about the scholarships offered directly by the U of A Study Abroad Office. You will automatically be considered for all of these scholarships when you submit your application to study abroad.