Graduate Studies

Financial Support

student studying a sample under a microscope

The Department of Geological Sciences offers a variety of graduate assistantships and fellowships, which include a 9-month stipend starting at $17,964 and a tuition waiver worth $26,950. The salary for research assistantships varies, but it usually ranges from $18,000–25,000 for a 12-month position. Summer support is often available.

Exceptional students will also be considered the department’s Lindahl Scholarship, as well as other fellowships and awards offered by the Graduate School.

Graduate Assistantships

The department awards graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) based on academic credentials, student background, research background, and our curriculum requirements. In this role, graduate students are required to teach course sections, such as undergraduate labs, for a specific number of hours per semester.

Graduate research assistantships (GRA) are offered by individual faculty for projects that have usually received external funding from outside agencies or research institutes. In this role, graduate students are not required to teach and are able to focus on research during the semester.

Students interested in graduate research positions should contact the faculty member in their area of research interest to discuss possible research opportunities.

Self-funded students or students with established scholarships/fellowships are also encouraged to apply.

Scholarships

Lindahl Scholarship

Exceptional PhD students will receive research or teaching assistantships and a Lindahl Scholarship totaling $22,000 for a nine-month appointment. The University of Alabama covers the cost of non-resident tuition and fee waivers. Funding is renewable for at least 4 years if expectations are met.

The department also offers MS research or teaching assistantships and a Lindahl Scholarship totaling $20,000 for a nine-month appointment. The University covers the cost of non-resident tuition and fee waivers. Funding is renewable for at least 2 years if expectations are met.

Research Scholarship

Sponsored by the W. Gary Hooks Endowed Geology Fund, the Department of Geological Sciences Research Scholarship provides funding for undergraduate and graduate research. Scholarship amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, but the cap for undergraduate and graduate scholarships are $600 and $1000, respectively.

Learn more about the Research Scholarship.

Travel Scholarship

The A.S. Johnson Travel Fund provides travel support to promising full-time undergraduate and graduate students in geological sciences. Funding may be used only for travel to conferences/professional meetings to give presentations. Students must be presenting work that is supervised by a geological sciences faculty member.

Learn more about the Travel Scholarship.

GSAB Student Scholarship

The Geological Sciences Advisory Board (GSAB) Student Scholarship Fund was established to support outstanding geological sciences graduate students at The University of Alabama.

Funding for these awards is provided by GSAB, a group of distinguished alumni and friends who play an active role in the advancement of the department. Scholarships, each having a $3,000 cash grant, are awarded to outstanding graduate applicants who will pursue activities directly in support of thesis or dissertation during the summer.

Learn more about the Geological Sciences Advisory Board Scholarship.

Fellowships

The Graduate School also offers a number of fellowships and scholarships, including the Graduate Council Fellowship and the McNair Graduate Fellowship. Applicants will automatically be considered for these opportunities when applying to the Graduate School.

External Funding

The Alabama Geological Society (AGS) offers student travel grants to offset the cost of travel for graduate or undergraduate students who would like to attend professional conferences and present research.

Learn more about the AGS Student Travel Grant, or find additional scholarships in our External Funding list (pdf).