Applying for a Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Scholarship or Award

 

All Geography, G.I.S. and Environmental Studies Majors in good academic standing are eligible for the following awards unless otherwise noted.  

Do not apply if you are in your final semester before graduation.

All applicants must complete an online application form that asks for your name, student ID number, contact information, GPA, enrollment status, and the names of two department faculty references.

You will also be asked to upload a document containing copies of your transcripts.

In addition, each scholarship has different criteria for consideration, so you should review that information below before applying. 

Each scholarship also requires applicants upload at least one additional document, such as a brief statement of intent or a page detailing your aspirations.  Several require you to submit work samples, cartography, or field work budgets, etc.

Have those documents ready before you click the on one of the application links below.

Financial Aid Recipients: If you are a Financial Aid recipient and you would like to know how the scholarship will be coordinated with your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid office (818) 677- 4085, office location Bayramian Hall – Student Services Center, first floor East wing or financial.aid@csun.edu

When you are ready, apply using the appropriate hyperlink below:

Undergraduate Student Application                                                      Graduate Student Application

 

LIST OF AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The Geography Student Scholarship / Newcomb Award - $1000

This fund award was initially established by Professor Robert Newcomb to recognize students who demonstrate excellence and creativity in their academic work.  Over the years, many alumni and faculty have contributed generously to the fund.

Criteria

High standard of academic performance and academic creativity as demonstrated through class performance

What to Submit

• A sample of your work from a class; a project or writing assignment and/or research document
• A brief statement of financial need in an attached written document.

The Geography and Environmental Studies Department
Alumni Scholarship - $1000 

This fund is made possible by the generous donations of alumni, former faculty and friends of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Criteria

High standard of academic performance and helpful departmental citizenship.

What to Submit

• A sample of your work from a class; a project or writing assignment and/or research document

Robert Provin Cartography Award - $250

Robert Provin was a lifelong resident of the San Fernando Valley who worked in many capacities for the CSUN Geography Department for more than 40 years. Among other things, Robert filled roles as technical support staff, part-time instructor, and staff cartographer. In his spare time, Robert was a world-class Astro-photographer who gladly shared his passions with students.

This award is made to the student submitting the most outstanding map composition to the competition committee. Students who have taken G.I.S. or Cartography should consider applying.

Criteria

The committee will consider the creativity, cogency of design, and adherence to sound cartographic principles for each submission.

What to Submit

Include in your application:

•An outstanding example of your work in a cartography or G.I.S. course.

Shoshana Sokol Memorial Award - $500

This award is presented in memory of Shoshana Sokol, a former graduate of the Geography Department. Books are particularly important to the Sokol family, and they would love this award to go towards the purchase of books.

Criteria

This scholarship recognizes the efforts of geography students with academic merit, intellectual curiosity, and academic / career persistence.

What to Submit

Include in your application:

• A several paragraph statement discussing your path toward becoming a geography major.

Bill Russell Scholarship - $1000

Professor Russell was a long-time professor at Pierce College, occasional CSUN instructor, alumni and steadfast friend of the CSUN Geography Department.  

Criteria

This scholarship recognizes the efforts of geography students, with high standards of academic performance and worthy departmental citizenship.

What to Submit

Include in your application:

• One-page document detailing your aspirations as a geographer.

Robert and Karen Newcomb
Graduate Fellowship in Geography - $1000

The Robert and Karen Newcomb Fellowship is to be awarded to graduate students. Robert Newcomb was an active participant in the life of this department since 1976, as an esteemed historical geographer, congenial friend of the faculty, editor of Historical Geography, and patient teacher and mentor of aspiring students. To show his appreciation of the department and the association that he and his wife enjoyed, Dr. Newcomb endowed a fellowship intended to partially reimburse the recipient for fees and materials necessary for graduate studies here.           

Criteria

The award is made to that meritorious graduate student who, in the opinion of the faculty, best distinguishes herself or himself in studies in the Department. Scholarly achievement is important, but excellence will not be judged solely by grade point average. This award recognizes particularly those students whose work and thought show imagination, creativity and independence, suggesting the potential for significant contribution in the field of Geography.        

What to Submit

Include in your application:

• a brief statement describing your interests at they relate to Geography and your professional or career goals over the next few years
• a copy of recent work you submitted for credit in a geography or GIS course at California State University, Northridge

Darrick Danta Fund for Field Research - $200 to $400

Students who are planning field studies as part of their research project for either Geography 490, their Master’s Thesis, or any additional worthy research effort, should consider applying for supplemental funds available via the Darrick Danta Field Studies Fund.

Awards of $200-400 are available each year.

Travel documents must be approved and submitted prior to traveling to your field site, and reimbursement should be applied to as soon as possible after the completion of your field work.  Funds are disbursed upon presentation of receipts following the completion of field work.

What to Submit

Include in your application:

• A proposal of no more than one-half page, outlining your planned research project. Be sure to include your research question and a hypothesis and/or thesis.
• Include a paragraph which outlines the role of your planned data collection efforts in the completion of the proposed research
• The name of instructor(s) helping you on this study.
• A detailed outline of your anticipated costs associated with the proposed field study.

Criteria for Award

Applicants will be considered on the merit of their application using the following criteria:

• Completeness of the application.
• Quality of the proposed research or research questions.
• Feasibility of proposed data collection.
• Student grades and other indicators of potential for successful completion of the proposed research.
• Priority to students who have not received the award in the past.

Award Winners will be notified at the end of each semester in which applications are accepted.  Field work should be completed in the semester or semester break following the announcement of the award.

The Robert Howard Field Studies Award -- $200 to $400

Students who are planning field studies as part of their research project for either Geography 490, their Master’s Thesis, or any additional worthy research effort, should consider applying for supplemental funds available via the Robert Howard Field Studies Award.

Awards of $200-400 are available each year.

Travel documents must be approved and submitted prior to traveling to your field site, and reimbursement should be applied to as soon as possible after the completion of your field work.  Funds are disbursed upon presentation of receipts following the completion of field work.

What to Submit

Include in your application:

• A proposal of no more than one-half page, outlining your planned research project. Be sure to include your research question and a hypothesis and/or thesis.
• Include a paragraph which outlines the role of your planned data collection efforts in the completion of the proposed research
• The name of instructor(s) helping you on this study.
• A detailed outline of your anticipated costs associated with the proposed field study.

Criteria for Award

Applicants will be considered on the merit of their application using the following criteria:

• Completeness of the application.
• Quality of the proposed research or research questions.
• Feasibility of proposed data collection.
• Student grades and other indicators of potential for successful completion of the proposed research.
• Priority to students who have not received the award in the past.

Award Winners will be notified at the end of each semester in which applications are accepted.  Field work should be completed in the semester or semester break following the announcement of the award.