In 2006, the USGS Retirees Organization (formerly known as WRD Retirees Organization) began an annual scholarship fund to help student interns complete the last year of a 2-year Hydrologic Technician associate’s degree.

In 2018, the USGS Retirees expanded the scholarship fund to also include aid for USGS Water Mission Area Hydrologic Technicians taking classes to meet the U.S. Office of Personnel Management minimal requirements to be eligible for conversion to aHydrologist. Priority will continue to be given to helping student Hydrologic Technician and Hydrologic Aid interns complete the last year of a college degree.

As of 2025, we have awarded a total of $104,504 to 59 awardees. The majority of funding comes from member contributions targeted to the scholarship fund. Additional funds come from donations in memory of a member or someone who would have been eligible to be a member. We are happy to accept donations.

Applications are solicited beginning in November. Completed applications are due February 15 and awards are typically made in April.

To be eligible, individuals

• Must be currently working for the U.S. Geological Survey and have at least 1-year experience with the USGS.

• Must be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning or show that they have been accepted to start classes during the fall semester.

• Field of study may be surface water, groundwater, water quality, or any other water- related project areas.

Scholarship Amounts very each award period and are based on the number of qualifying applicants and the available funds. Scholarship funds may only be applied to tuition. Expenses, such as, books, lodging, and milage are not allowed. Awards are generally in the $500 - $3,000 range and cover only tuition.

Scholarship Application Instructions and forms are in this Microsoft Excelª.

Instructions and forms

IDeadline for submission is February 15

2025 Awardees:

Kathryn A. Cooney, $500 — Arizona Water Science Center (Flagstaff), Coconino Community College

Noah M. Lebsack, $2,000 — Utah Water Science Center, Salt Lake City Community College

Brittny M. Hawkins,  $1,000 — Colorado Water Science Center (Pueblo), Colorado State University at Pueblo

Darius Uche, $1,000 — Central Midwest Water Science Center (Lee Summit, MO), University of Missouri at Kansas City

Cade Jones, $2,000 — Maryland-Delaware-Washington DC Water Science Center (Frostburg, MD), Frostburg State University

2024 Awardees:

Jacob Fagerstrom, $1,400 — Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Lansing, MI, Mott Community College, Flint, MI

James Mitsuka,$1,500 — New Mexico Water Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, NM

 L. Kirsten Oberg, $1,175 — Central Midwest Water Science Center, Urbana, IL, Parkland College, Champagne, IL 

Megan Schmer, $207 — California Water Science Center in San Diego, CA, San Diego City College, San Diego, CA 

2023 Awardees:

Bryce McClenney, $700 — South Atlantic Water Science Center, AB Technical Community College

Amelia Lewis, $1,500 — New England Water Science Center, New Hampshire Technical Institute

Amber Thulean, $1,500 — Washington Water Science Center, Spokane Community College

2022 Awardees:

Jessica Anderson $2,000 — AZ Water Science Center, American Public University

Banu Bayraktar $2,000 — NY Water Science Center, State University of NY at Buffalo

Surya Freeman $690 — OH-KY Water Science Center, Jefferson Community and Technical College

Ian Lynch $1,900 — PA Water Science Center, Community College of Allegheny County

Joshua Price $1,599 — OR Water Science Center, Portland Community College

Maura Uebner $1,500 — South Atlantic Water Science Center, California State University

2021 Awardees:

Gary Burke $1150 — OK-TX WSC in Lubbock, TX) attending Wayland Baptist University

Shelby Daniel $2000 — South Atlantic WSC in Norcross, GA) attending the University of Oklahoma

Noel Deyette $1500 — NY WSC in Troy, NY attending University of Oklahoma – Gallogly College of Engineering

Heather Manzi $500 — CA WSC in Truckee, CA attending California Community College

Madelyn Messner $753 — OH-KY WSC in Indianapolis, IN attending Ivy Tech University

Shannon Pace $1500 — VA-WV WSC in Richmond, VA attending the Ohio State University

2020 Awardees:

Jessica Cain $668 — South Atlantic WSC, attending Wake Technical Community College, Wake Co., NC

Matthew Hardebeck $753 — Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana WSC, attending Ivy Technical, IN

Will Long $800 — Oregon WSC, attending Portland State University, Portland, OR

Ryan Mesmer $504 — California WSC, attending San Diego Community College, San Diego, CA

Shannon Pace $1500 — West Virginia WSC, attending Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Zachary Perkins 1350 — West Virginia WSC, attending University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Kate Wilkins $2000 — New Mexico Water Science Center, University of Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

2019 Awardees:

Taylor Dudunake $2000 — University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Sharon Mulready $2000 – University of California Santa Cruz

2018 Winners:

Holly Eschenburg $700 — Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Joshua Lee $3,000 — American Military University, Charles Town, WV (Pathway’s Program)

Johnse Ostman $3,000 — Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK

Skylar Smith $1,500 — Parkland College, Champaign, IL

Olivia Stoken $500 — University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

2017 — No awards were made for this year.

2016 Awardees:

Ruth Law $2000 — University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Joe Morgan $2000 — Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Jacob Pascoe $2000 – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

2015 Awardees:

Keith E. Mecum $4000 — University of Texas, Austin, TX

Devin S. Minnich $3000 — University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

2014 Winners:

Carl Turner $4000 — Vermillion Community College, Ely, MN

Adam Mastalir $4000 — Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI

2013 — No awards were made due to a freeze by the Department of Interior on summer hires.

2012 Awardees:

Timothy Bronetto $4000 — Gateway Community College, Phoenix, AZ (interned in Hawaii -- part of the Pacific Islands WSC)

Alyx Schlafge $3000 — Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN (intern Austin Field Unit, TX)

Sarah Jeanne Davis $3000 — Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, SD (summer intern Wyoming WSC, Cheyenne, WY)

2011 Awardees:

Casey P. Lovato $4000 — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern at the Oregon WSC, Portland, OR)

Brandon Clark $2000 — Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, SD (intern at the South Carolina WSC, Columbia, SC)

Jeffery S. Sallas $2000 — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (intern at the Sullivan’s Island, SC)

Michael Buil $2000 — GateWay Community College (interned at the Massachusetts WSC)

2010 Awardees:

Travis L. Gibson $3000 (1st place) — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern in Salt Lake City, UT)

Michael Blumberg $2000 (2nd place) — Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN (summer intern in Richmond, VA)

2009 Awardees:

Lisa Ashmore $1500 (1st place) — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ, (summer intern -- Montana WSC)

LaShawn Nohremberg $1000 (2nd place) — Vermillion Community College in Ely, MN. (summer intern -- Nebraska WSC)

2008 Awardees:

Claire Bunch $1500 — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern -- Sacramento, CA)

2007 Awardees:

Gretchen Anderson $1500 — Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN

2006 Awardees:

Jacob B. Dayley $1500 — GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ

You can donate directly to our scholarship fund online through Zelle or by sending a check.

Send scholarship donations to Zelle at DuesUSGSretirees@gmail.com. Put “Scholarship” in the text section of the transfer to designate the gift to our scholarship program

Checks can be made out to USGS Retirees; mail it to USGS Retirees, P.P Box 280, Herndon, VA 20172-0280 and put “Scholarship” in the check memo.