Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Association of American Geographers

Overview The application portal for the 2027 grants and awards will reopen in 2026. Deadline: November 15, 2026 (by midnight, EST) The American Association of Geographers (AAG) offers a national scholarship program for students enrolled at two‑year colleges who intend to transfer as geography majors to four‑year institutions. The scholarships are supported by Darrel Hess, author of McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation (Pearson). Award details - Scholarship amount: $1,500 to be used for educational expenses. - Recognition: a formal certificate of merit; recipients will be publicly announced at the AAG Annual Meeting. - Typical number of awards: two $1,500 scholarships. Depending on available funds and the candidate pool, the selection committee may award between two and four scholarships in a given year. Awards may not be made if funds are insufficient or applications are not suitable. Who may apply You are eligible if, at the time you submit your application, you are enrolled at a U.S. community college, junior college, city college, or comparable two‑year institution and you: - Have completed at least two transfer‑level geography courses, and - Plan to transfer to a four‑year college or university as a geography major in the coming academic year. All applicants and nominees must comply with the AAG Professional Conduct Policy. Nominations may be withdrawn and awards revoked for violations of that policy. Selection criteria Applications will be evaluated on overall quality, academic achievement, and demonstrated promise in geography. Financial need will also be taken into account. The selection committee will follow the stated purposes and preferences when reviewing applications. Application requirements and submission Applications must be submitted by the deadline above (Eastern Standard Time). Required materials include: - Uploaded academic transcripts. - Two letters of recommendation from college instructors. The application portal will prompt and manage referee requests. Notification and conditions for receiving funds - Applicants will be notified of decisions within six months after the deadline. - To receive the scholarship, awardees must provide official documentation showing admission to a four‑year institution and verification of a geography major (for example, an official transcript or a letter from the department chair). - Recipients are encouraged, but not required, to attend the AAG Annual Meeting to receive their certificate at the awards ceremony. - Applicants may also apply separately for travel assistance through the AAG Community College Travel Grant Program. Acknowledgment Please acknowledge support from the AAG Hess Scholarship in any related presentations or publications. If you need more information or have questions about the application process, let me know and I’ll provide details or assist with phrasing application materials.