Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship

Deadlines: First Round December 1, 2024 and Second Round May 10, 2025

The American Association of Geographers is pleased to announce a national scholarship program for community college students. Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to students from community colleges, junior colleges, city colleges, or similar two-year educational institutions who will be transferring as geography majors to four year colleges and universities. These scholarships are funded by Darrel Hess, author of McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, published by Pearson.

The award consists of a scholarship to be used for any educational expenses in the amount of $1,500 and a formal certificate of merit. The formal announcement of the award will take place at the AAG Annual Meeting.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you are a student currently enrolled at a US community college, junior college, city college, or similar two-year educational institution at the time you submit your application. You must also have completed at least two transfer courses in geography and plan to transfer to a four-year institution as a geography major during the coming academic year.

As with all other AAG awards, eligibility also rests on the candidate being in compliance with the AAG Professional Conduct Policy. Nominations may be rescinded, and the award may also be revoked for any candidate or awardee who is found in violation of the AAG’s Professional Conduct Policy.

Criteria

Selection will be based on the overall quality of the application, scholastic excellence and academic promise. Financial need will also be considered. The selection committee will observe the purposes and preferences noted above when evaluating proposals. Two to four awards of $1,500 will be made annually. Awards may not be made in years when funds are insufficient or proposals are not suitable.

Applications

Applications must be received by the deadline (Eastern Standard Time).

Applicants will be required to upload transcripts.

Applicants should arrange for the submission of two letters of recommendation from college instructors.  Requests for letters of recommendation will be made directly in the application portal.

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the status of their submission within 6 months after the deadline. To receive their scholarships, awardees will be asked to submit official documentation of their admission to a 4-year institution along with verification of majoring in geography, such as an official transcript that lists major, or as a letter from the department chair.

Awardees are encouraged but not required to attend the AAG Annual Meeting to receive a certificate of recognition at the AAG Awards Ceremony.

Applicants may also apply separately for travel support under the AAG Community College Travel Grant Program.

Reports and Acknowledgment

Please acknowledge support to the AAG Hess Scholarship in any presentations and publications.

Apply now