Department Graduate Student Scholarships and Support Packages

The department provides graduate student support via merit-based scholarships, teaching and research assistant positions, and University-wide and School of Energy Resources support programs.  

Virtually all students have their nine month academic year salaries, tuition, health-care, and student fees covered, and most students receive summer salaries including working internships. Note: All applicants are automatically considered for these support packages by just applying to our department.

G&G Department Star-Scholarships:  In general, two ‘star’ merit-based scholarships are provided to outstanding graduate student applicants every year. This award provides salary levels that are enhanced with respect to base levels.

Teaching assistantships (TA): For 2009 TA’s the Department of Geology and Geophysics is offering stipends of $14,000 for master’s students and $17,500 for Ph.D. students. These compensation rates are 15–25% higher than base rates dictated by the University of Wyoming.  Graduate students who receive a full stipend are expected to work an average of 18-20 hours per week as TA’s in Geology and Geophysics courses.

Research assistantships (RA):  Research assistantships are available from funds provided by research grants to individual professors.  A list of research assistantships and opportunities is provided here. However, this list is only partially complete because professors always have research grants in review. We recommend that you view our professors’ webpages for the latest information of RA funding.  If you find projects of interest to you, you should contact the appropriate professor(s) via email so that you can talk about projects and available RA funding. RA assistantships often provide full-year (12 month) salaries about $22,000 in addition to covering tuition, fees, and health-care.

SER assistantships: The School of Energy Resources is pleased to announce a call for proposals for Graduate Assistantships for AY 2009-2011.  Funding is available beginning in September 2009 and will be allocated for a two-year period.  Each assistantship includes a $20,000 annual stipend for master’s candidates and a $4,500 Ph.D. enhancement. 

Wyoming EPSCoR Program: The Wyoming EPSCoR is a partnership combining resources and management from the State of Wyoming, the University of Wyoming, and the participating Federal agencies of the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and NASA. This program provides funding for a few G&G department students.

Small Scholarships: In addition to the above funding packages, the G&G department has numerous small scholarships that help fill small funding issues. These scholarships are awarded only to active graduate students on both a need and merit basis. Please talk with our Administrative Assistant, Carol Pribyl, if you have a funding issue.