This page provides information on funding opportunities for undergraduate students. We start with a list of departmental scholarships available for physics students.

Please scroll down to the end of this page for info on scholarships available to all LAS and UIC students.

• Larry L. Abels Memorial Scholarship

  
  This award honors the memory of Professor Abels, a former member of the Physics Department, and is presented annually to the graduating physics senior who has the highest grade-point average and earns at least Departmental Distinction.
  
  Application: Candidates are automatically identified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies and notified by the Undergraduate Advisor.
  
  Awarded: April of each year
  
  The award is presented at the annual Sigma Pi Sigma induction ceremony held in the Spring. The Scholarship Association manages the award for UIC. Should you wish to contribute, please make your check payable to the UIC Scholarship Association and send it to

  750 S.Halsted, 
  503 CCC - m/c 117, 
  Chicago, IL 60607-7011 
  (or to the Physics Department). 
  

  Please write "Larry Abels Fund" in the memo section of the check.
  
  Recent Recipients:
  • James P. Buban 1998-1999
  • Michele Sumstine and Alexander Prociuk 1999-2000
  • Ilke Arslan 2000- 2001
  • Shahab Khan 2001-2002
  • Robinson, Ernest W. 2002-2003
  • Ashwin Jayachandran 2003-2004
  • Agata Smoron 2004-2005
  • Shing Fan Yip and Vladmir Skaviysh 2005-2006
  • Mikki Ball 2006-2007
  
  
  
• Ogden Livermore Scholarship

  
  This scholarship fund was established in memory of Ogden Livermore who was Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois, Chicago (Navy Pier) for 25 years, until his retirement in 1967. The award is given at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters to the student in Physics 244 who has the highest achievement in this class.
  
  Application: Candidates are automatically identified by the Phys 244 instructor and notified by the Undergraduate Advisor.
  
  Awarded: Fall registration - January; Spring registration - May
  
  Should you wish to contribute, please make your check payable to the University of Illinois Foundation and send it to

  224 Illini Union m/c 386, 
  1401 W. Green St., 
  Urbana, IL 61801 
  (or to the Physics Department). 
  

  Please write "Livermore Award" in the memo section of the check.
  
  
  
  
• Seymour Margulies Scholarship

  
  This fund was established to honor the memory of Professor Seymour Margulies, who shared his passion for science with UIC students for nearly three decades. The award is designed to enhance the educational experience of undergraduate students majoring in physics and is given at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters to the student in both Phys 401 and 215 who has the highest achievement in this class.
  
  Application: Candidates are automatically identified by the Phys 401 and 215 instructors and notified by the Undergraduate Advisor.
  
  Awarded: Fall registration - January; Spring registration - May
  
  Should you wish to contribute, please make your check payable to the University of Illinois Foundation and send it to

  224 Illini Union m/c 386, 
  1401 W.Green St. 
  Urbana, IL 61801 
  (or to the Physics Department)
  

  Please write "Margulies Scholarship" in the memo section of the check.
  
  
  
• Inder P. and Uma Batra Memorial Physics Undergraduate Award

  
  This award honors the memory of Inder P. and Uma Batra. Its purpose is to enhance the educational experience of undergraduate physics student and is given at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters to recognize the achievements of that student based on the performance in Phys 141.
  
  Application: Candidates are automatically identified by the Phys 141 coordinator and notified by the Undergraduate Advisor.
  
  Awarded: Fall registration - January; Spring registration - May

  
  
  
• Sivananthan Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

  
  Sivananthan Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($1000.00) is awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students interested in doing Physics Research during the summer. The research must be carried out under the supervision of a (UIC) Physics Faculty member. Applicants must carry a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 and submit a half page paper outlining the proposed research activity.
  
  Application: Candidates are nominated by supervising faculty member and asked to submit a half-page narrative outlining the proposed research activity.
  
  Awarded: May for following semester

  
  
  
• Arnold R. and Doris. G. Bodmer Science Travel Award

  
  Arnold Bodmer, an emeritus professor of physics, and his wife Doris established this award in 2007 to permit students to travel abroad as part of their education in science. It will provide upper-level undergraduate and first- or second- year graduate students(those who have not yet passed the Qualifying Exam) resources to travel abroad for science-related study, seminars or workshops. Awardees must provide a post-travel report to the College describing their work. For full consideration, application should be received by LAS by January 1
  
  Application: Candidates are nominated by supervising faculty member. Applications go to LAS by January 1. The department requests all applications in by December 15. Download Application Form
  
  Awarded: Spring semester

  
  
  
• Bernard J. Kurtin Scholarship

  
  Established in 2007, this award will be given each year to two physics majors who are in their first two years of study at UIC. Applicants must have declared physics major, as decision is based on Major GPA.
  
  Application: Candidates are automatically identified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies and notified by the Undergraduate Advisor.
  
  Awarded: May

  
  
  
• OEA Awards

  
  The Office of External Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) is now making available scholarships and awards exclusively for LAS students as well as some scholarships available to all UIC students. The awards are posted here

  
  
  
• Office of Special Scholarship Programs Awards

  
  The Office of Special Scholarship Programs at UIC focuses primarily on a set of nationally competitive scholarships. These awards can be viewed by clicking here. For more information contact the Office of Special Scholarship Programs at (312) 355-2477 or in 120A SEO.
  
  
  Below we provide more information on some of the nationally competitive scholarships.

  
  
  
• Goldwater Scholarhips

  
  The Goldwater scholarships are awarded to outstanding college sophomores and juniors studying mathematics, natural sciences or engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship provides up to $7,500 for undergraduates studying and planning a research career in math, science or engineering. Applicants must be sophomores or juniors and should have a 3.75 GPA and research experience. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents, and must apply through the Office of Special Scholarship Programs. UIC may nominate only 4 candidates per year. In 2004, Vladimir Skavysh, physics and mathematics major, was among 310 students nationwide to receive the award from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Visit www.act.org/goldwater for more information.

  
  
  
• Truman Scholarships

  
  The Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 to junior or senior students planning to go to graduate school in preparation for careers in government or public service. $3,000 is awarded for senior year. Applicants should have an extensive record of public service and a demonstrated commitment to a career in public service. To be eligible, applicants must be sophomores, juniors or seniors (depending on graduation date) an the upper 1/3 of their class, and a US citizen or national. UIC may nominate only 4 candidates per year. Visit www.truman.gov

  
  
  
• The Jack Kent Cooke undergraduate scholarship

  
  The Jack Kent Cooke undergraduate scholarship provides up to $30,000 per year to fund tuition and fees. Scholars are eligible to receive funding throughout the remainder of their undergraduate career. Applicants must have sophomore or junior status and have high academic achievement, leadership and campus/community involvement. UIC is limited to one nominee per year. Visit www.jackkentcookefoundation.org for more information.

  
  
  
• American Physical Society Minority Scholarship

  
  The American Physical Society offers Minority Scholarship scholarship for minority freshmen and sophomores, who are majoring in physics. Applications are available in November and due early February at www.aps.org/programs/minorities/honors/scholarship/index.cfm.

  
  
  
• UIContest

  
  Students should apply by September 1 to be a part of the new UIContest internships. Application should include a half-page narrative describing the research to be performed and a note of endorsement from the supervising faculty member. Up to three internships will be made available each year, and the interns will be selected by the Head in consultation with the appropriate committee. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have completed Phys 244. Internships will be announced no later than Sept 10. Internships will begin September 16 and culminate in a poster to be presented at the UIC Research Forum held each year in April. The internships will involve 10 hours per week of research employment with a UIC Physics faculty member at the standard hourly rate up to a total pay of $1100 (no employment during the winter break). Students will register in Phys 392 for the spring semester. As a culmination of their efforts, students will either participate in the UIC Research forum in April of each year or prepare a submission for the Journal of Undergraduate research (guidelines may be found here), or both. Interns will be eligible for the regular awards granted at the UIC Research forum and for publication in J. Undergraduate Research.