Financial Aid

Since there are no government subsidies for this program and all costs must be covered by the program tuition fees, we recognize that the program costs are high for some of our potential students. We are actively seeking donors who will provide scholarships for our students, though to date we do not yet have a significant source of scholarship funding.

Scholarships

ALL program applicants are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship sources in their own region. Foreign students should investigate scholarships offered by the US State Department as well as organizations in their own country who fund study-abroad programs. US-based students can make use of various scholarship finding agencies accessible on the web. Some sources of information about scholarships include the following. Note that while some deadline dates may have already passed, it is quite likely that many of these are recurring programs and opportunities will exist in the future.

  • USGIF In an effort to help further the advancement of the geospatial tradecraft, USGIF is dedicated to assist promising students interested in the geospatial sciences with scholarship awards. USGIF hopes to inspire students who are interested in all that GEOINT has to offer to invest their futures in this incredibly exciting and relevant field of study.

  • Cartography and Geographic Information Society Each year, the Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS) sponsors two scholarships to students whose research and accomplishments support the mission of CaGIS. The scholarships recognize academic achievement and encourage the continuing success of outstanding cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and geographic information science (GIScience) students. The scholarships also recognize achievement or potential for achievement in original research advancing the specific disciplines of cartography or GIScience. Winners are selected based on academic achievement, particularly in the calendar year prior to the award.

  • ASPRS ASPRS is pleased to offer fourteen awards totaling more than $50,000 in value. Available to both undergraduate and graduate student-members of ASPRS and others, these resources have been generated with the intention of advancing academic and professional goals within the fields of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and related disciplines. (Membership required)

  • HIAS Scholarships are given to both undergraduate and graduate students who immigrated to the United States after January 1, 1992, and are awarded based on academic merit, community involvement, and financial need.

  • Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at DoD laboratories.

  • Balfour Fellowship The Balfour Fellowship program was initiated in 1985 and provides financial assistance to full-time students who are enrolled in accredited graduate or professional schools. The fellowhips were established in honor of Lloyd G. Balfour of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Applicants must be initiated members of an NIC, NPC, NPHC, or PFA organization who are in good standing. Awards are based upon scholastic achievement (a minimum of a 3.7 GPA or equivalent is required), campus and community involvement and leadership within one's fraternity/sorority.

  • Fulbright Foreign Student Program A mainstay of America�s public-diplomacy efforts, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of other countries to the United States for Master's degree or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. The program has brought some of the world�s finest minds to U.S. campuses and offers program participants insight into U.S. society and values. Many foreign Fulbright grantees are early-career professionals who will return to take leadership positions in their home countries, often working at universities or in government service.

  • Institute of International Education - IIE administers over 250 programs on behalf of sponsors that include the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, foundations, corporations, government agencies, international organizations and development assistance agencies in the United States and abroad.

  • US Department of State Education Information & Resources

  • World Wildlife Fund's Education for Nature Program

  • Ford Foundation

  • Switzer Foundation

  • Organizacion de Estados Americanos

  • American Association of University Women

  • Wellcome Trust

  • American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM)

  • American Water Works Association

  • Geological Society of America

  • Council of Graduate Schools

  • Graduate World Bank Scholarship Information

  • Contact service organizations in your area to see if they host any scholarship programs. For example, Rotary International sponsors "Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships", some of these are specially designated for applicants from low-income countries.

  • A search on the web for "scholarships" will uncover a large number of scholarship search engines. For example, try Scholarships Online or  Scholarship Experts.

Note that no endorsement is implied by these references. You are on your own with what you find on the web.

Federal Financial Assistance for U.S. citizens and permanent residents

U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolling in this program may be eligible for federal financial aid. This financial aid is both need and merit-based. Students interested in applying for financial aid should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, see http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/).

Financial Assistance for non-US residents

U.S. government guidelines preclude international students from receiving federal financial assistance. Also, international students should not expect to support themselves through employment while attending the university as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) rarely allows international students to work off-campus during the course of their studies in the United States. The INS further requires individuals holding student visas to enroll as full-time students. International students are encouraged to seek funding from government agencies, international foundations and charitable organizations in your country or region. We suggest that you investigate the scholarship opportunities listed above as some of them may be offered to international students.