Student Scholarships & Grants
The Department of Physics and Astronomy provides a number of scholarships that are set up by our generous emeriti, alumni and friends. A description of each of these including application forms, eligibility, requirement and nature of the scholarships, follows. All qualified students are urged to apply. Completed applications must be returned to the department office by the posted deadline. A list of students who have won these scholarships in previous years can be found HERE.
Department Scholarships & Grants (Application Required):
CSUN alumnus, Art Altshiller, created this award to honor his parents, Betty and Martin Altshiller. Martin Altshiller was a mechanical engineer by profession. He was also a master bridge and chess player. His wife, Betty, was a Julliard-trained concert pianist who taught piano and accordion. Retired physics instructor, Art Altshiller enrolled at San Fernando Valley State College (SFVSC) in 1959, before it became CSUN. He studied physics under Mr. Nagle until his junior year when he transferred to the University of Oklahoma where received his Bachelor of Science degree. Returning to what was still called SFVSC, Art earned his Master of Science degree in physics and teaching credential after working as an aerospace electronics engineer. Art enjoyed a long and active career as an educator, first in the LAUSD high schools and later as an Auxiliary Adjunct Math Instructor at Los Angeles Valley College. As a young man, Art had two role models: his uncle, Nathan Altshiller Court, a trailblazer in the subject of triangle geometry and author of the classic textbook, College Geometry and his undergraduate mentor and first physics professor, John W. Nagle.
Purpose: To reward an undergraduate student in physics who has demonstrated exemplary scholastic achievement.
Qualification: Applicants should be undergraduate physics students whose academic performance has been outstanding. Eligible students will have maintained a very high GPA score. Also taken into consideration will be academic accomplishments such as research involvement, honors and awards received, and publications. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Award: The award recipient's name will be added to the department permanent award roster and a certificate will be presented at the annual Department Awards and Commencement Reception. The check will be disbursed in August to the recipient of this award (amount $1000).
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
This scholarship honors Professor Ching Y. Liang who served as Department Chair for several years before retiring in 1982. He earned a B.S. degree in physics from The National Central University at Nanking, China in 1943. Subsequently, he emigrated from China to the USA and entered the University of Oklahoma where he earned M.S. (1950) and Ph.D. (1952) degrees in physics. Professor Liang specialized in infrared spectroscopy working at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and other National Labs before joining the faculty at San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN) in 1964. He strongly believed a good physics education required a strong emphasis on laboratory work, advocating that faculty members should split their teaching assignments equally between lectures and laboratory classes. This scholarship honors him as a firm but fair teacher, and administrator, who loved teaching physics and being of service to all. It is funded by the C. Y. Liang Memorial Endowment.
Qualification: Junior, Senior, or Graduate students majoring in Physics with a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and in the major. The recipient must be enrolled for the following semester and must have demonstrated financial need. Requirement: Submit an application by the deadline. Faculty/Student Award Committee members will review the applications, and the Committee Chair will present the final nomination to the Department Office.
Award: The award recipient's name will be added to the department permanent award roster and a certificate will be presented at the annual Department Awards and Commencement Reception. A check (amount $1000) will be disbursed in August to the recipient of this award.
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
This scholarship is endowed by the generous contribution of Professor Paul Lee and his wife Dr. Amy Lee. Professor Lee served in the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1975 through 2012. He obtained his PhD in 1971 from the California Institute of Technology specializing in Experimental Atomic Physics and Intermediate Energy Physics. During the initial phase of his career he continued to work in Experimental Atomic and Nuclear Physics participating in experiments both at SLAC and at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Gradually his research interests turned to Medical Physics and in collaboration with clinical researchers at the University of Southern California and image processing experts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he focused on problems which required the complementary use of several imaging modalities. Among his important contributions is the development of a method to concentrate ultrasound energy to dissolve blood clots, and the development of precise methodology for quantifying intima-media thickness in the carotid artery using ultrasound imaging. Beyond his field of expertise Professor Lee has been one of the most knowledgeable scientists in our department, with deep insight into the crucial aspects of physical phenomena. Through the years he has brought that same insight to his students from the general education classes to the specialized courses for the majors.
Qualifications: A registered sophomore, junior or senior Physics major with financial need. The recipient must be enrolled in the department undergraduate program and taking courses towards the completion of the baccalaureate degree in the following year.
Requirement: Submit an application by the deadline. The Student Award Committee members will review the applications, and the Committee Chair will present the final nomination to the Department Office.
Award: The recipient will receive a check for the amount of $1500.
Select to apply (PDF) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
This scholarship honors Professor and Physics Department Chair Adrian Herzog, who passed away in early 2001. Professor Herzog arrived at CSUN in 1981 and served as Department Chair from 1996 until his death. He wrote thousands of lines of computer code for analyzing data from the San Fernando Observatory during the 1980's. He also worked many hours during the early 1990's with then-Dean Donald Bianchi for the construction of the Planetarium, which was dedicated in 1993; Professor Herzog served as its first director. This scholarship honors Professor Herzog's long commitment to both the teaching and research missions of the Department.
Qualifications: Physics graduate student who is enrolled in at least 3 units per semester and in good academic standing. The recipient must have demonstrated financial need and the potential to improve academic performance with this award.
Requirement: Submit an application by the deadline. The applicant should write a statement conveying his/her financial need. The Student Award Committee members will review the applications, and the Committee Chair will present the final nomination to the Department Office.
Award: The recipient will receive a check for $500.
Select to apply (PDF) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
The annual distributions from the Dr. Varoujan Chakarian Award for Graduate Studies in Physics and Astronomy Endowment will provide an annual award for a minimum of one graduate-level student enrolled in the University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy program who reflects high academic achievement. Primary preference will be given to students who have the intent to publish or intend to participate in presenting at conferences and can be used to cover student travel needs. In the event no student meets the primary preference, the award can also be used for a second preference to cover the research needs of a graduate level student. In the event no student meets the primary or secondary preference, this award may also be used as a scholarship support to assist in tuition and fees for a graduate-level student with a high academic achievement.
Qualifications: A registered Graduate student in the department of Physics & Astronomy. The recipient must be enrolled in the department program and taking courses towards the completion of a master’s degree.
Requirement: Submit an application by the deadline. The Student Award Committee members will review the applications, and the Committee Chair will present the final nomination to the Department Office.
Award: The recipient will receive a check for the amount of $2500.
Select to apply (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29th, 2024
An award for a student enrolled in the graduate Physics & Astronomy program with demonstrated financial need. The committee will consider the student's participation in research.
Amount: $1500
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
This program was established to encourage students to engage in research on campus during the summer months under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Individual student-faculty collaborations are an excellent opportunity to gain professional experience beyond the normal course work required by the degree. Students that engage in summer research programs are known to be more successful in the future. This program is funded by the Laboratory Manual Trust Fund.
Qualifications: Enrolled majors in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at CSUN who have completed the junior sequence of courses and who will be expected to graduate at the end of the following academic year (May/June). Exceptions may be granted to highly prepared sophomores. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major is required for an undergraduate and 3.25 for a graduate student.
Requirement: A faculty sponsor who will direct the research and be responsible for mentoring the student is required. After completing the project, the student may be required to give a talk in an open forum of some kind to be determined by the Award Committee. The faculty sponsor will also file a one-page report to be sent to the Award Committee and the Department Chair by September 30 of the year the summer research project ends.
Stipend: A total stipend ($4000) will be provided (depending on funding availability) to the successful applicant. Half of this will be paid at the end of the fifth week and the other half will be paid upon completion of the experience.
Select to apply (PDF) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, 2024
The Department of Physics & Astronomy will fund up to $2000 for student travel to a scientific conference. Students must be nominated by a faculty mentor and must present a talk or a poster at the conference. To apply please submit the application. On the application you should indicate your faculty mentor, the conference you are attending, and the title of your presentation. Also, indicate the travel funds requested.
Select to apply (PDF) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Deadline: November 30, 2024.
- Wujack Harrison Pre-Med Scholarship (CSM)
https://csun.academicworks.com/opportunities/3714
1 @ $5000
This award is funded by former CSUN President Dianne Harrison & John L. Wujack. To support a continuing student in their senior year who demonstrates the interest and aptitude to pursue a medical career in family practice.
- Applicants from any department in the College of Science and Math are eligible to apply
- Must be an undergraduate student with junior status (60 units or more with a minimum of 12 earned at CSUN)
- Must have a GPA greater than or equal to 3.0
- Show promise and intent to purse a medical degree and ultimately specialize in family practice medicine
- Two letters of recommendation from CSUN faculty members
- Must have a current FAFSA on file
- CSM Edison STEM Scholarships
https://csun.academicworks.com/opportunities/3742
6 awards @ $5000 each + 1 award @ $2500
Eligibility Criteria:
- Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 units or more during the Fall term of the award year.
- Undergraduate students majoring in a degree program offered by one of the following departments:
* Mathematics,
* Chemistry/Biochemistry,
* Geological Sciences,
* Physics/Astronomy.
- Matching CSM Edison STEM Scholarships
https://csun.academicworks.com/opportunities/3726
6 awards @ $5000 each + 1 award @ $2500
Eligibility Criteria:
Graduate or undergraduate students in any degree program offered in the College of Science and Mathematics.
Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 units or more during the Fall & Spring terms of the award year.
Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 6 units (8 units preferred) or more during the Fall & Spring terms of the award year.
Candidates will be evaluated based on their CSUN GPA (12 units minimum if undergraduate; graduate GPA if graduate),
and a letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member.
* Note: If the recipient of this scholarship is also receiving financial aid (including loans), then the financial aid award may be adjusted. Students may speak to a counselor in the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department during walk-in hours for a detailed overview about their individual situation. The student will be responsible for any taxes due.