Sigma Pi Sigma Leadership Scholarship

Share This:

Applications Due March 15 and/or November 15

If this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday

Scholarship Overview

The purpose of the Sigma Pi Sigma scholarship program is to support Sigma Pi Sigma members and to encourage the pursuit of high scholarship in physics and astronomy. The Sigma Pi Sigma Leadership Scholarships consist of $2,500-$6,000 awards for Sigma Pi Sigma majors that are within 10 years of their induction for the purpose of supporting advanced education.

Scholarship at a Glance

  • Several $2500-$6000 awards may be made each year
  • In the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, an additional 2 awards will be made. In the fall of 2024, one additional award will be made. These additional awards are supported through the generous support of a donor, Jack Hehn.
  • Awarded on the basis of upholding the four pillars of Sigma Pi Sigma and exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics or astronomy (or a closely related field).
  • This award has a preference for those that are currently undergraduates, graduate students, or those who are recently inducted (within the past 10 years).
  • Applicants be enrolled for at least one more semester.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be members of Sigma Pi Sigma

 

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application, no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday) or November 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

  • General information form
  • Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. Transcripts must be postmarked by the application deadline and mailed to:

SPS Scholarship Program
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

  • Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
  • Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives
  • Written statement of the applicant’s participation or support of four pillars of Sigma Pi Sigma (Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship)
  • Written statement about their intention for continued scholastic development in physics or astronomy (or a closely related field)
  • Proof that applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree (transcript and/or letter of support from the department)
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
    • Examples of Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship
    • the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
    • active participation in SPS or Sigma Pi Sigma programs.

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS & Sigma Pi Sigma Scholarship Committee shall consider with equal weight:

  1. Examples of Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship.
  2. the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
  3. active participation in SPS or Sigma Pi Sigma programs.

 

Details for Awardees

Awardees will be required to submit a completed W-9 federal tax form (or equivalent for international students) before funds are dispersed.

Questions

Please address questions related to this award to SigmaPiSigma [at] aip.org.