Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Association of American Geographers

Overview
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) administers a national scholarship program for students enrolled at U.S. community colleges and other two‑year institutions who intend to transfer and continue their studies as geography majors. The awards are supported by Darrel Hess, author of McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation (Pearson). Each scholarship provides $1,500 to be used for educational expenses and winners also receive a formal certificate of merit. The recipients will be publicly announced at the AAG Annual Meeting.

Award amount and number
Each scholarship is $1,500. Typically two $1,500 scholarships are awarded, although the selection committee may award between two and four $1,500 scholarships in a given year. Awards will not be made in years when funds are insufficient or when submitted applications are not judged suitable.

Eligibility
You may apply if, at the time you submit your application, you are enrolled at a U.S. community college, junior college, city college, or a comparable two‑year institution. Applicants must have completed at least two transfer‑level geography courses and must plan to transfer to a four‑year college or university as a geography major in the coming academic year. All candidates must comply with the AAG Professional Conduct Policy; nominations or awards may be rescinded if a violation is found.

Selection criteria
Applications are evaluated on overall strength, academic achievement, and demonstrated promise in geography. Financial need will also be taken into account. The selection committee will follow the program’s stated purposes and preferences when reviewing submissions.

Application requirements
- Applications must be submitted by the posted deadline (Eastern Standard Time).
- Applicants must upload their academic transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation from college instructors are required; requests for these letters are handled directly through the application portal.

Notification and conditions for payment
Applicants will be informed of their application status within six months after the deadline. To receive the scholarship, awardees must provide official documentation confirming admission to a four‑year institution and verification that they will major in geography (for example, an official transcript or a letter from the department chair). Winners are encouraged, but not required, to attend the AAG Annual Meeting to accept their certificate at the AAG Awards Ceremony.

Additional support and acknowledgment
Applicants may independently apply for travel assistance through the AAG Community College Travel Grant Program. Recipients should acknowledge support from the AAG Hess Scholarship in any related presentations or publications.