If you are an incoming physics student you can apply for the Physics Merit Scholarship. For upper level students there are several scholarships available. For more information, click on the links below.
The department has also a fund to support students in research. We use this, for example, to support summer students, to subsidize travel cost to conferences, or to compensate transportation expenses for students who do research at a nearby national lab (Fermilab and Argonne National Labs). For more information about how to apply for this fund, please contact the department chair at physics@wheaton.edu
Several students have also successfully applied from outside scholarships and grants. We are always willing to help you to prepare your application for these outside sources.
Available Physics Scholarships
- Physics Merit Scholarships
- Joseph Spradley Outstanding Physics Student Award
- Outside Scholarship Opportunities
For opportunities in engineering see Engineering Scholarships
Each year, the Physics Department awards a $6,250 scholarship to four of our majors: typically a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. This is a merit-based scholarship rather than a need-based scholarship. Majors are given the opportunity to apply for it each year, and the selection is made by the department. It was established in order to help and encourage students who are majoring in physics and intend to go on within the field of physics.For questions and more information about the scholarship contact Dr. A.J. Poelarends aj.poelarends@wheaton.edu or Dr. Jim Schroeder jim.schroeder@wheaton.edu
Physics Merit Scholarship Recipients
- 2021-2022 - Ruby Burgess, Logan Grove, Daniel Humphrey, Curtis McLennan, Genevieve Nelson
- 2019-2020 - Ahnika Boring, Stephen McKay, Michael Vieceli, Tamara Watson
- 2018-2019 - Rachel Barron, Genevieve Nelson, Austin Richardson, Elizabeth Tan
- 2017-2018 - Sierra Barone, Courtney Baer, April Futch, Jennifer Ruda
- 2016-2017 - April Futch, Jennifer Ruda, Elizabeth, Tan Nicholas Varberg
- 2015-2016 - April Futch, Matt Robertson, Jennifer Ruda, Brayden Schott
- 2014-2015 - Alex Armstrong, Madeline Baltzer, David Broaddus, Caleb Cochrum
- 2013-2014 - Matthew McMillan, Michael Morken, Emily Willson, Claire Carlson
- 2012-2013 - David Martin, Cole Adams, Peyton Finley, Mindy Cartolano
- 2011-2012 - Emily English, Mindy Cartolano, Matthew McMillan, Patrick Farley
- 2010-2011 - David Blasing, Joel Carini, Mindy Cartolano, Ben Sawyer
- 2009-2010 - Mindy Cartolano, Emily English, Andrew Keeler, David Stapleton
- 2008-2009 - Emily English, Elliot Nelson, David Stapleton, Jim Schroeder
- 2007-2008 - Dylan Coster, Benjamin Kietzman, Ellen Kunzeman, Elliot Nelson
- 2006-2007 - Andrew Golter, Ryan Stegink
- 2005-2006 - David Felker, Martin Gonzalez
- 2004-2005 - Ryan Beams, Melissa Brown
- 2003-2004 - Geoffrey Poore, Benjamin Noonan
- 2002-2003 - Jonathan Osgood, Geoffrey Poore
- 2001-2002 - Coral Christensen
- 2000-2001 - Nathaniel Wentzel
- 1999-2000 - Randall Miles
Joseph Spradley Outstanding Physics Award Recipients
- 2020 – Stephen McKay
- 2019 – Michael Vieceli
- 2018 – Zachary Davis, Nathan Taylor
- 2017 – April Futch
- 2016 – David Barbalas
- 2015 – Matt Robertson
- 2014 – David Martin
- 2013 – Matthew McMillan
- 2012 – Mindy Cartolano
- 2011 – Jaclyn Baker
- 2010 – David Blasing
- 2009 – Joel Dahlin
- 2008 – Elliot Nelson
There are a number of non-Wheaton scholarship opportunities for you to consider.
ROTC
Several of our students have received scholarships through the Rolling Thunder ROTC program. More information about the ROTC Scholarships can be found at the ROTC page.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Teacher Scholarship
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is offering 50 scholarships of $5,000 each to students actively pursuing an undergraduate degree, graduate degree or credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) subjects at a U.S. middle or secondary school. More >>
SMART Scholarship
The Department of Defense is proud to offer scholarships and post-graduation career opportunities to our nation's research leaders of tomorrow.
American Physical Society Minority Scholarship
The American Physical Society Committee on Minorities in Physics has created this scholarship program for minority undergraduate physics majors. The purpose of this program is to significantly increase the level of underrepresented minority participation in physics in the United States. Underrepresented minorities in this context are defined as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans.
Each scholarship consists of $2,000 for new students and $3,000 for renewal students for tuition, room, board or educational materials. More >>
The physics merit scholarship is awarded annually to up to four students, typically one in each of the four classes (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior).