Fellowships & Scholarships

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SEG Foundation Scholarship Program

In 1959 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. In 1963 the Foundation's activities were expanded to include grants-in-aid.


The Number of Scholarships available depends chiefly upon the number of sponsors and the amounts they contribute. For the 1998-99 academic year, the Foundation awarded 103 scholarships totaling $105,700. This represented 49 renewals of scholarship to students on a continuing basis and 54 scholarships to new recipients receiving grants for the first time. Nine companies, two individuals, and six SEG Sections sponsored full scholarships. Three additional special awards are available annually to students with specific career paths. The G. W. Hohmann undergraduate and graduate awards are restricted to students whose course study is directed toward a degree in geophysics with an emphasis on mining or electrical methods. The Lucien LaCoste award is restricted to a graduate student whose degree is in geophysics with a special emphasis on gravity exploration.


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 $500 to $10,000 (special LaCoste award) per academic year, with average awards being approximately $1200 per academic year. A current effort is underway to increase the average amount of individual awards to $2,000 per academic year. The term of each scholarship is one academic year; however the scholarship is renewable subject to the maintenance of the recipient's scholastic standing, availability of funds, and the continuance on the part of the recipient of a course of study acceptable to the Foundation and one which will lead toward a career in exploration geophysics.


Any Recognized College or University in the United States or its possessions which offers courses of study in geophysics or a closely related field may be chosen by the recipients, subject to requirements for admission and any restrictions specified by the sponsor. (A limited number of scholarships are awarded by SEG to students in recognized colleges or universities in countries other than the United States.


Applications and Supporting Documents Must Be Received by March 1 of the year in which the award is made. Forms may be obtained from the SEG Foundation, PO Box 702740, Tulsa, OK 74170-2740, USA, or downloaded from the SEG Website.


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


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 at the end of each semester or quarter.


A Scholarship may Be Withdrawn and any unused balance refunded to the Foundation if (a) holder changes college courses from those directed toward a career in geophysics to some other subject(s), (b) holder fails to remain in good standing, or (c) holder's conduct is such as to embarrass the Society of Exploration Geophysicists or the sponsor of the scholarship.


General Requirements for Eligibility:

  1. Applicant must intend to pursue a college course directed toward a career in exploration geophysics; must have an interest in and aptitude for physics, mathematics, and geology.
  2. Applicant must be one of the following: (a) A high school student with above average grades planning to enter college the next fall term, (b) an undergraduate college student whose grades are above average, or (c) a graduate college student whose studies are directed toward a career in exploration geophysics in operations, teaching, or research.
  3. An applicant in need of financial assistance will be considered. However, the competence of the student as indicated by the application is given first consideration. Results of aptitude tests, college entrance exams, National Merit Scholarship competition, etc., are not required but should be furnished if taken.
  4. Certain scholarship administered by the Foundation may carry additional qualifications imposed by the sponsors.


SEG Foundation
PO Box 702740
Tulsa, OK 74170-2740
Tel +1.918.497.5530
Fax +1.918.497.5558