Future Graduate Students

Named in honor of Mildred S. Bunton and Calvin H. Waller, the first-recorded African American alumna and alumnus of Penn State, Bunton-Waller is a merit-based assistantship given to students with strong academic and professional potential who bring diverse perspectives, identities, and interests to Penn State.

The graduate admission application serves as the Bunton-Waller Graduate Assistantship application. Applications will be evaluated on scholarly promise including quality of professional work or research experience, academic performance and potential as shown by transcripts, extracurricular and community activities to advance equity in science, leadership potential, and the candidate’s ability to add strong and unique value to the overall Penn State experience.

Bunton-Waller assistantships include five years guaranteed support of tuition, stipend, and subsidized health insurance, and are funded through a variety of support mechanisms, including research assistants or teaching assistantships.

The Graham Endowed Graduate Fellowship was created to assist in the recruitment of outstanding students considering enrolling at Penn State. The funds will provide supplementation awards to incoming students who have been given assistantships, departmental fellowships or who are recipients of external awards. Award offers are typically one year. No additional application is required beyond the Graduate Admissions application. 

The Science Achievement Graduate Fellows (SAGF) Program in the Eberly College of Science is designed to recruit, recognize, and promote outstanding graduate students seeking a doctoral degree in the sciences and mathematics. The Eberly College of Science is determined and committed to advancing women, who are underrepresented in the sciences and mathematics, to enable the full potential of humankind essential to solving the great global challenges. The science achievement graduate scholarships are named in honor of an outstanding woman scientist or mathematician who not only made groundbreaking discoveries, but also blazed the trail for others who have followed in their footsteps. These prestigious scholarships provide a high level of recognition to the awardees, which will continue throughout their careers.

SAGF is awarded each year to outstanding college graduates who have an interest in pursuing doctoral studies in one of the seven departments of the Eberly College of Science, with strong communication and leadership qualities, and who have a demonstrated interest in the advancement of women in the sciences and related fields. Holistic selection criteria are used to select a candidate with an emphasis on letters of recommendation, research experience, leadership potential, communication skills, an outstanding record of high achievement, initiative, and motivation. For eligibility, an additional interview is required.

The total SAGF support package includes five years guaranteed support of tuition, stipend, subsidized health insurance, and $3,000 per year for professional travel, purchase of computers, or other professional development needs and activities. At least one of five years will be offered as a true fellowship, while the remaining years will be funded through a variety of support mechanisms.