Related Links: Scholarship Online Application
2007-2008 Scholarship Recipients

Important notice for scholarship applicants
The application deadline has been extended to 12:00 a.m. CST on 18 February, due to a problem with our online application. Individuals who have already completed an online application are encouraged to contact scholarships@seg.org to check on the status of the application. More information and downloadable applications can be found on this page.

In 1956 the Society of Exploration Geophysicists began a program of encouraging the establishment of scholarship funds by companies and individuals engaged or interested in the field of geophysics. SEG saw the need for a more appropriate organization and caused the SEG Foundation to be organized.

The number of scholarships available depends chiefly upon the number of sponsors and the amounts they contribute. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the Foundation awarded 172 scholarships totaling US$448 350. This represented 80 renewals of scholarships to students on a continuing basis and 92 scholarships to new recipients receiving grants for the first time. In addition to general scholarships, other scholarships are available to students who meet specific criteria.

Related Links: SEG Scholarships Brochure ( 474K PDF)

The amount of contributions ranges from a few dollars by individuals to as high as several thousand dollars by sponsors of full scholarships. The awards to recipients range from US$500 to US$14 000 per academic year, with average awards being approximately US$2600 per academic year. The term of each scholarship is one academic year; however, some scholarships may be renewed based upon certain criteria and approval of the SEG Scholarship Committee.

Any recognized college or university which offers courses of study in applied geophysics or a closely related field may be chosen by the recipients, subject to requirements for admission and any restrictions specified by the sponsor of the scholarship.

Applications and supporting documents must be received by 1 February of the year in which the award is made.

If you have any questions about the SEG Scholarship Program, please contact the SEG Foundation at scholarships@seg.org or (918) 497-5500.

The SEG Scholarship Committee selects the recipients of the awards. The committee is composed of eight members of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, who are appointed by the Chairman of the committee. Members of the committee or members of the Foundation Board of Directors are not allowed to participate in the selection of recipients of awards sponsored by themselves or their companies.

Administration of each scholarship is turned over to the school attended by the recipient. The school retains custody of the funds, authorizing withdrawals by the student and remitting to the student any residual amount upon the satisfactory completion of the term of the scholarship. The school is requested to report the recipient’s grades to the Foundation Office at the end of each semester.

A scholarship may be withdrawn and any unused balance refunded to the Foundation if:

1. the holder changes his or her college courses from those directed toward a career in applied geophysics to another field of study;
2. the holder enrolls in a different school and/or pursues a curriculum other than what he or she listed at the time of initial application, and no longer meets the requirements set forth by the sponsor of the scholarship;
3. the holder fails to remain in good scholastic standing; to this end, the holder must see that a report of his or her grades is furnished to the Scholarship Committee at the end of each semester;
4. the holder conducts himself or herself in such a way as to embarrass the Society of Exploration Geophysicists or the sponsor of the scholarship.

General requirements for eligibility:

1. A student must intend to pursue a college curriculum directed toward a career in applied geophysics or a closely related field, such as geosciences, physics, geology, or earth and environmental sciences.
2. A student must meet one of the following requirements:
   (a) Attending high school and planning to enter college next fall;
   (b) An undergraduate or graduate college student whose grades are above average.
3. Certain scholarships administered by the SEG Foundation may impose additional eligibility requirements, as set forth by the sponsors of those awards.