The PGS Frank Benacquista Undergraduate Scholarship is an award of $1,000 to an undergraduate-level earth science student. This scholarship, created in honor of a long-time PGS member and student advocate, is intended to assist a student with college education costs and to promote student participation in the Pittsburgh Geological Society.
Eligibility Requirements
Any student who is majoring in the earth sciences, is at least a sophomore, and attending a four-year accredited college or university in the Pittsburgh region is eligible to apply. The applicant must also be a student member of PGS or must have applied for student membership at the time the application for the scholarship is submitted.
Required Materials
The full application must include the following:
Scholarship Application Process
The application may be sent in digital form (email with attachments) to the current PGS President at fredrick@pennwest.edu. Follow these instructions when sending as an email:
Application Deadline and Award Date
All applications must be received by May 31, 2025. The scholarship will be awarded at the first meeting of the Pittsburgh Geological Society in September, 2025.
Acceptable Fund Uses
Students may use the scholarship toward tuition fees, for field camp, to purchase equipment required for hands-on exploration as required by academic course work (e.g., rock hammers, hand lens), to attend geologic conferences or field trips, or to attend the PGS field trip, or to attend the Field Conference of PA Geologists.
Basis of Awards
Awards will be based on the cover letter, recommendation letter, transcript, and the content and creativity of the essay as judged by the Scholarship Committee. The decision of the scholarship committee is final.
Eligibility Requirements
Any student who is majoring in the earth sciences, is at least a sophomore, and attending a four-year accredited college or university in the Pittsburgh region is eligible to apply. The applicant must also be a student member of PGS or must have applied for student membership at the time the application for the scholarship is submitted.
Required Materials
The full application must include the following:
- One-page resume
- Cover letter introducing yourself and elaborating on key points of your resume with a focus on activities outside of the classroom such as research projects, academic club service, or community involvement
- One-page essay describing your background, decision to pursue earth science, career goals, and academic objectives beyond the bachelor’s degree (if any)
- Copy of your transcript (unofficial) and documentation that you are a current student. The requisite standard to apply is a minimum of 12 semester credits of earth science courses. Successful applicants should have a strong academic record that can be achieved through course work, research or service
- Letter of recommendation from a professor or another professional in the earth science field that provides information on your performance and activities in the classroom, in the department, or at an affiliated or non-affiliated institution. The letter should address your work ethic and your character in how you work and assist others in the classroom or field.
Scholarship Application Process
The application may be sent in digital form (email with attachments) to the current PGS President at fredrick@pennwest.edu. Follow these instructions when sending as an email:
- In subject line of email message, please type “PGS Scholarship, Your Last Name”
- Include a professional message to the President stating that you are submitting your application for the PGS Frank Benacquista Undergraduate Scholarship
- Attach all documents required as Word or PDF documents. Please make sure that each document is titled with your last name. For example: Jones Resume.pdf, Jones Essay.pdf
Application Deadline and Award Date
All applications must be received by May 31, 2025. The scholarship will be awarded at the first meeting of the Pittsburgh Geological Society in September, 2025.
Acceptable Fund Uses
Students may use the scholarship toward tuition fees, for field camp, to purchase equipment required for hands-on exploration as required by academic course work (e.g., rock hammers, hand lens), to attend geologic conferences or field trips, or to attend the PGS field trip, or to attend the Field Conference of PA Geologists.
Basis of Awards
Awards will be based on the cover letter, recommendation letter, transcript, and the content and creativity of the essay as judged by the Scholarship Committee. The decision of the scholarship committee is final.
