​If you're like most students, scholarships will provide an important part of your financial aid package.

The CMU Department of Physics offers scholarships – based on need, academic focus, career aspirations and other specific criteria – for transfer students and continuing students.

In addition, you can click here to learn more about scholarships available for all CMU students.

Department Scholarships

Many of the CMU Department of Physics scholarships are renewable, but require submission of a new application each year.

Application:
Scholarship application deadlines occur in early March each academic year. To apply for these scholarships, please contact the physics department secretary directly for more details.

Selection Process:
The selection of a student to be awarded a scholarship will be made by the chairperson of the Department of Physics and such other persons as the chair may designate. Depending on the specific application requirements of the scholarship, the decision may be made on the basis of:

  • Completed application form
  • Two professional references
  • Grades in university/college courses
  • A letter detailing career plans submitted by the applicant
  • Other factors
Descriptions and qualifications for each of the Department of Physics scholarships are listed below.

Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, March 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $4,000

This competitive award is intended to provide support to a student with a signed physics major to carry out a research project during a 12-week period during the summer of 2021. The recipient must have already taken courses in the physics major at least through PHY 146. The award will be given on a competitive basis based on academic performance and promise for productive research. Depending on available funds, more than one award might be offered.

Application Procedure: To apply for this research opportunity, candidates should, in consultation with a physics department faculty member, develop a short (1-page) research proposal that includes:
  • A title for the project
  • A brief statement of the research problem and its significance
  • A description of the research methodology: how you will solve the problem
  • The name of a physics faculty member who will serve as your supervisor 
The proposal should be submitted in hard copy to the Physics Department office in Dow 203.

Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, March 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time CMU student pursuing a career in teaching Elementary Science, Middle School Science, or High School Physics with:
  • At least sophomore standing in 2021-2022
  • An overall GPA of 3.0
The award can be renewed for a second year provided that the above requirements are still met. Previous recipients must re-apply in order to be considered for renewal. Award amounts will depend on the availability of funds.

Application Procedure: To apply for this award, submit an application letter that includes:
  • Your name and address
  • The name of the award
  • A brief statement describing your career plans
  • The name of the physics faculty member who can serve as a reference for you
  • Your official or unofficial CMU transcript
  • Copies of any non-CMU undergraduate transcripts 
*Award money may be used to tuition or for costs related to professional development as a teacher.

The letter should be addressed to the department chair, Dr. Christopher Tycner, and submitted in hard copy to the Physics Department office in Dow 203. Any eligible student who applies for this scholarship will automatically be considered for the Frank & Virjean Johnson Scholarship.

Eligibility:  Applicant must be an elementary or middle school science education teaching major/minor, be a sophomore, junior, or senior, and have a GPA of 3.0 or better. A completed application form, a letter detailing your career plans, the name of a physics faculty member familiar with your work, and copies of any non-CMU undergraduate transcripts must be submitted to the Department of Physics chairperson, Dow Science Complex 203.

About:
Established in 2006 by Walt Bisard '66, '67 for his wife Suzanne '75, '87 in honor of her 26 years of outstanding elementary science teaching career and for their 40th wedding anniversary. Income from the endowment will support a renewable award for a sophomore, junior or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The award may be used for tuition, travel to science meetings, conferences, or membership in science organization(s).

Renewal:
Previous recipients can re-apply in order to be considered for a renewal.

Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, March 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $1,500

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time CMU student with:
  • At least junior standing in 2021-2022
  • A signed major in Physics or Astronomy
  • An overall GPA of 3.0
  • A GPA in major of at least 3.0
  • An interest in experimental physics
  • A demonstrated passion for physics and who has shown growth in problem-solving skills
The award can be renewed for a second year provided that the above requirements are still met. Previous recipients must re-apply in order to be considered for renewal. Award amounts will depend on the availability of funds.

Application Procedure: To apply for this award, submit an application letter that includes:
  • Your name and address
  • The name of the award
  • A brief statement describing your career plans
  • The name of the physics faculty member who can serve as a reference for you
  • Your official or unofficial CMU transcript
  • Copies of any non-CMU undergraduate transcripts 
*Award money may be used to tuition or for costs related to professional development as a teacher.

The letter should be addressed to the department chair, Dr. Christopher Tycner, and submitted in hard copy to the Physics Department office in Dow 203.

Eligibility:
Applicant must be a full-time junior or senior student enrolled in the College of Science and Technology, Department of Physics with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student must demonstrate a passion for physics, growth in problem-solving skills and interest in experimental physics.

About:
Established in 2011 by Diane E. Current and faculty members in memory of David H. Current. Income from the endowment will support a renewable award.
Eligibility:
This award is based on academic achievement and is open to sophomore, junior or senior students with a 3.5 GPA or better. The award will not be based on financial need. During odd-numbered years, scholarships will be awarded to sophomores, juniors or seniors majoring in biology, chemistry or physics, and who are pursuing certification in secondary teaching certification. In even-numbered years, this scholarship will be awarded to sophomores, juniors or seniors majoring in biology, chemistry or physics. An application form, a letter outlining your qualifications and goals, two letters of recommendation, a copy of your college transcripts and a copy of your signed major must be submitted to the Department of Physics chairperson, Dow Science Complex 203 by March 15.

About:
Established in 2000 by Dr. Frank D. Johnson, '50, former director of Continuing Medical Education at Central Michigan Community Hospital and his wife M. Virjean, '51, a former elementary teacher, for a sophomore, junior or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.5, and who is majoring in biology, chemistry or physics. Alternate year awarded to a science major in teacher education.

Renewal:
Previous recipients can re-apply in order to be considered for a renewal.
Physics will offer this scholarship again in Spring 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year..

Eligibility:
Any junior, senior or graduate student with a 3.5 GPA or better. Preference is given to English, journalism or physics majors. A completed application form, a letter outlining your qualification and goals, a copy of your college transcripts and the name of a physics faculty member who can provide a recommendation must be submitted to the Department of Physics chairperson, Dow Science Complex 203.

About:
Established in 1989 by family and friends for a junior, senior or graduate student with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Preference is given to English, journalism or physics majors.

Renewal:
Previous recipients can re-apply in order to be considered for a renewal.

Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, March 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $2,500

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time CMU student with:
  • At least junior standing in 2021-2022
  • A signed major in Physics or Astronomy
  • An overall GPA of 2.5
  • A GPA in the major of at least 3.5
The award can be renewed for a second year provided that the above requirements are still met. Previous recipients must re-apply in order to be considered for renewal. Award amounts will depend on the availability of funds.

Application Procedure: To apply for this award, submit an application letter that includes:
  • Your name and address
  • The name of the award
  • A brief statement describing your career plans
  • The name of the physics faculty member who can serve as a reference for you
  • Your official or unofficial CMU transcript
  • Copies of any non-CMU undergraduate transcripts 
*Award money may be used to tuition or for costs related to professional development as a teacher.

The letter should be addressed to the department chair, Dr. Christopher Tycner, and submitted in hard copy to the Physics Department office in Dow 203.

Eligibility:
Applicant should be at least a junior with a signed major in physics or chemistry-physics with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and at least a 3.5 GPA in major/minor courses. A completed application form, a letter detailing your career plans, the name of a physics faculty member familiar with your work, and copies of any non-CMU undergraduate transcripts must be submitted to the Department of Physics chairperson, Dow Science Complex 203.

About:
Established in 1998 by the sons of Kenneth Wright, '34, a CMU physics teacher for over 30 years, for a third-year student with a declared major in physics, a minimum 3.5 GPA in classes offered by the physics department, and a minimum 2.5 GPA overall.

Renewal:
Previous recipients can re-apply in order to be considered for a renewal.