Financial Resources
The Climate and Diversity Committee and the School of Physics and Astronomy (SPA) are committed to establish and maintain a supportive environment for our undergraduate and graduate students.
As part of our efforts, we have put together this list of financial resources to help support your academic and research goals. We know that financial struggles can cause distractions and stress, and as a result, detract from accomplishing career goals. We hope that this list provides a light at the end of the tunnel, and at least alleviates some of your monetary worries.
School of Physics and Astronomy-specific fellowships:
Undergraduate student resources - Every year SPA recognizes undergraduate students with 20 scholarships and awards. Some awards recognize academic achievement in course work, some support research, and a few are awarded on the basis of overall excellence and achievement in both academics and research. Announcements are sent to students in early spring and all applicants are automatically considered for all awards for which they are eligible. Applications are usually due late March/early April. For more information, please contact the School.
Graduate student resources - Provides a comprehensive departmental list of fellowships, scholarships, and grants available to all SPA graduate students. For more information, please contact SPA.
UMN-wide scholarships:
Undergraduate scholarship search - Provides an individualized list of scholarships that you are eligible to apply for based on your student profile.
Graduate Student fellowships and grants - Includes a number of resources available to new and currently enrolled graduate students at the University of Minnesota. For more information, please contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office.
The Louise T. Dosdall fellowship - Awarded to female-identified doctoral students pursuing a degree in a graduate program in which women make up less than 50% of enrolled graduate students (this is the case for the School of Physics & Astronomy). Note: this fellowship is not offered every year; to check for news on its availibility you can contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office.
Community-based scholarships:
Community and organizational scholarship opportunities - Provides a sampling of scholarship awards provided by organizations outside the UMN. Some of these opportunities are tailored to serve identity-specific groups; such as Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Chicano/Latino, African American, American Indian, and multicultural students.
The Victor Blanco Undergraduate Research Fellowship - Established by the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP) together with several organizations, this fellowship was conceived with the objective of encouraging young Hispanic students to pursue a degree in physics and astronomy.
Nationwide scholarship and fellowship search engines:
Pathway to Science - Offers programs and resources for prospective and current STEM graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduate students will find resources such as research experiences for undergraduates (REU), scholarships, and travel and research opportunities. Graduate students will be able to identify funding opportunities as well as professional development programs and resources.
Fast Web - A free national scholarship database search service where you’ll be able to find scholarships, colleges, financial aid and more.
Scholarships and awards sponsored by the American Physical Society (APS) - Presents a list of scholarships, awards, and resources available to young physicists, many of which focus on developing underrepresented students’ careers.
DACA student resources:
UMN Undocumented & DACA Students Support Services - Details information about application and admission processes, as well as financial aid and a list of support services.
APS DACA resources webpage - Provides general resources that DACA students can turn to.
Writing support for Grant and scholarship applications:
Grant-writing resources - provided by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Proposal workshops - provided by the Council of Graduate Students (COGS).
Financially supported positions within SPA:
Work-study and student employment - A form of financial aid available to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a work-study award. SPA faculty may be able to hire undergraduate researchers via work-study. If you are considering physics research at UMN as your work-study, inform your faculty mentor of your eligibility. For questions related to work-study in SPA, contact the School.
Other useful resources:
American Physical Society (APS) - A nonprofit membership organization working to advance the knowledge of physics.
National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) - The largest and most recognizable organization devoted to the growth, development, and advancement of the African-American physics community.
National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP) - Seeks to develop and support efforts to increase opportunities for Hispanic people in physics and to increase the number of practicing Hispanic physicists, particularly by encouraging Hispanic students to enter a career in physics.
Council of Graduate Students (COGS) - the Recognized Student Governance Association (RSGA) at University of Minnesota. COGS represents, advocates for, informs, facilitates communications among, and supports Twin Cities graduate students.