Financial Aid and Scholarships | Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

Incoming First-Year Student Scholarships

Meteorology and Atmospheric Science offers a limited number of scholarships to incoming first-year students based on academic merit and/or financial need, which are contingent on accepting your offer from Penn State with the intention of enrolling in the Meteorology and Atmospheric Science major. You do not need to apply for these scholarships; if you are selected by the department scholarship committee, an offer letter will be sent to your home address, typically between mid-February and mid-March. Generally speaking, first-year scholarships are renewed in the second year given you maintain the GPA specified in your scholarship offer letter.

In addition to Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science scholarships, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and other areas at the University offer scholarships to incoming first-year students. Notification of these scholarships vary in their timing, but most scholarship offers are sent within the mid-February to April timeline. Unfortunately, in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, we cannot view or access information on other scholarships you may be offered or are receiving.

How to Apply

Applications are not required for Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science scholarships; you will be contacted via U.S. mail (typically mid-February to mid-March) if you have been selected for an incoming freshman scholarship.

Meteorology Awards

Most Meteorology and Atmospheric Science awards are given to second-year through fourth-year students, although there may be a limited number of awards that apply to incoming first-year students. For a full list of award opportunities and the eligibility criteria, please visit Student Awards.

External (to Penn State) Scholarships and Awards

Only scholarships available to incoming freshmen are listed below. For a list of external scholarships for upperclassmen, please visit the Current Students section of our website.

American Meteorological Society Scholarships and Awards
Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship
NASA Office of Education Scholarship and Research Opportunities
National Weather Association (NWA) Phillips Family Scholarship (Currently enrolled freshmen only)
The Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association--Two scholarships are offered annually: the Pam Daale Scholarship and the Tim Samaras Scholarship. The Pam Daale Memorial Scholarship will be focused on students pursuing careers in broadcast or operational meteorology. The Tim Samaras Memorial Scholarship is for meteorology students who are pursuing a career in research meteorology. The award for each scholarship will be $1500. More information can be found in the links above.

Penn State Office of Student Aid

Scholarships are only a part of a well-developed college-financing plan. The University's Office of Student Aid (link is external) is an essential partner in creating that plan. Be sure to investigate the many sources of aid they offer.

Scholarships and Awards Beyond the First Year

More information about Meteorology and Atmospheric Science scholarships and awards for juniors and seniors are awarded based on scholarship guidelines and criteria. There is no application for Meteorology and Atmospheric Science scholarships and awards; however, if you want to be eligible for College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Scholarships as an upperclassman, you must complete the EMS scholarship application every year by April 15.

Other Financial Assistance

Gregory S. Jenkins Emergency Assistance Fund in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
Emergency grants of $500 each are awarded to students who encounter extraordinary events or circumstances that could negatively affect their ability to continue their studies in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. Emergency grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis and can be given to a student no more than once per academic year. Limited funding is available. Please complete the short application form to apply.
Terry Mahoney Emergency Assistance Fund in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Emergency grants are awarded to students who encounter extraordinary events or circumstances that could negatively affect their ability to continue their studies in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Emergency grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis and can be given to a student no more than once per academic year. Limited funding is available. More about the Terry Mahoney Emergency Assistance Fund >>
Matthew J. Wilson Loan Fund in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Low-interest loans are available to entering first-year students as well as upperclassmen and graduate students. Students may borrow up to $1,200 per semester ($2,400 per year) through the fund. Repayment is not required until after graduation. Currently, no interest accrues until graduation. After graduation, the University assesses a 6 percent simple interest rate on these loans. The college, subject to the approval of the University Financial Aid Office, grants these loans. If you have any questions, please visit Ashlee Kochik in the Office of the Dean (116 Deike Building). More about the Matthew J. Wilson Loan in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences >>

Helpful Tips

Tips for writing a scholarship thank you letter (by Penn State Office of Student Aid).

Form for students to submit their information to scholarship donors. (College of Earth and Mineral Sciences)