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Undergraduate-Only Scholarships

The 2024-25 scholarship application period has ended. The Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) allows you to search and apply for university and external scholarships. The opportunities include scholarships specific to your college, major or area of interest.


Students can apply for multiple scholarships. Each scholarship application must have a SEPARATE online form completed.

Scholarship recipients MUST attend the Annual Alumni Reunion and Student Celebration

Only scholarships listed on the current year application form will be awarded.


1) The Leif Anenson Geography Scholarship
    honors alumnus Leif Anenson and his love for Geographic Information
   Science (GIS). One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available
   funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. be an undergraduate geography major
    2. have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    3. be a junior or senior specializing in the study of Geographic Information Science and financing at least
       25% of her/his education
    4. write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with her/his degree in
        geography
    5. be enrolled in at least 12 hours
 


2) The Bruce Lee Augustin Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
    honors Bruce L. Augustin, a senior geography major who lost his life in an 
    automobile accident. The scholarship will help other students who wish to
    pursue the career in geography that Bruce was unable to complete.  One
    scholarship awarded each spring pending available funding and applied to
    the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. have a 2.75 GPA or higher
    2. be a junior or senior student who is financing at least 50 % of his / her education
    3. write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with his / her degree in
        geography
    4. be enrolled in at least 12 hours



3) Byron "Doc" Augustin Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
    honors Byron "Doc" Augustin for encouraging his students to travel and
    experience geography in the real world.  One scholarship is awarded each
    spring pending available funding and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a sophomore, junior, or senior student majoring in Geography - Resource and Environmental
        Studies who is financing at least 50 % of his / her university education
    2. have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA
    3. submit a two-page, double-spaced essay on what he / she hopes to do with a degree in geography


4) Rebecca Augustin Book Scholarship

   honors the truly outstanding social studies teaching of Rebecca Augustin.
   Ms Augustin wonderfully touched the lives of many young students with
   deeply caring teaching and mentoring.

 Applicant must:
    1.  be a Junior or Senior General Geography major
    2.  will become a public school teacher
    3.  have a Geography GPA of 3.3 or better


5) Karen Brettschneider Geography Scholarship
    honors Karen Brettschneider‘s legacy of environmental stewardship to the
    next generation of geographers.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding and applied to the following fall

Applicant must:
    1.  be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in geography
    2.  have a concentration in water studies or resource and environmental studies
    3.  have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA


6) The Detlefsen Junior Academic and Leadership Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard “Bernie” Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps. One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  have a total of 60 credit hours and be a declared Department of Geography major
    2.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, 3301 and two (2) other GEO classes
         and at least a 3.25 GPA in all GEO classes
    3.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.25
    4.  must be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student
         organization or otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department of
         Geography student organization.


7) The Detlefsen Junior Opportunity Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 60 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and four (4) other GEO classes and
         at least a 3.00 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.00
    5.  be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student organization or
         otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department of Geography student organization


8) Detlefsen Junior/Senior Academic and Leadership Excellence Scholarship

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 75 credit hours and be a declared Department of Geography major for Texas State
    2.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and 3301 and three other GEO classes and at least a 3.50 GPA in all GEO classes
    3.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.50
    4.  have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student organization with a demonstrated record of leadership and service to a Department of Geography student organization.


9) The Detlefsen Senior Academic and Leadership Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 80 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of B or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and 3301 and four (4) other GEO
        classes and at least a 3.40 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.40 required to graduate “cum laude”


10) The Detlefsen Senior Opportunity Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 80 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of B or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and five (5) other GEO classes and at
         least a 3.00 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.00be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of
         Geography student organization or otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department
         of Geography student organization


11 The Lawrence Estaville Scholarship in Geography
      honors Dr. Lawrence Estaville and his outstanding service to the
      Department of Geography as chair from 1994 to 2004.  One scholarship is
      awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following
      fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a first generation college student
    2.  be declared an undergraduate geography major
    3.  have a sophomore or junior standing
    4.  have an overall GPA of 2.5 or above and a geography GPA of 2.5 or above
    5.  provide evidence of service to the Department of Geography and the community
    6.  priority will be given to students who qualify for federal work-study funding (attach statement of
         eligibility)
    7.  priority will be given to students from underrepresented communities of the state


12) The Hilmar W. and Alta R. Hageman Family Endowed Scholarship
     honors Hilmar W. and Alta Ruth McWilliams Hageman and the values they
     demonstrated in the care of their family.  For years, Texas State
     University-San Marcos has been a part of the Hageman family, and it is the
     goal of this scholarship to benefit local students in need.  One scholarship
     is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the
     following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a San Marcos High School graduate
    2.  enter Texas State as a geography major
    3.  have an ACT score of 22 or higher or an SAT of 1000 or higher
    4.  be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 hours) and demonstrate financial need


13) The Allen D. Hellman Scholarship in Geography and Planning
      honors Allen D. Hellman, retired professor and past chair of the
      Department of Geography and Planning.  One scholarship is awarded each
      spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  enroll in at least one geography class
    2.  be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 hours)show financial needs
    3.  have an interest in majoring in geography and be an incoming student


14) The Sally Ann Karnau Geography Scholarship
      honors Sally Ann Karnau, one of the first five students in the Texas State
      Geography PhD program.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
      pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    3.  be a junior or senior student who is financing at least 25 % of her / his education
    4.  write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with her / his degree in
         geography


15) The Martha Sue Baker Morrow Scholarship for a Teacher Candidate
      for Secondary Geography Teaching

      honors Martha Sue Baker Morrow’s lifelong dedication to excellence in
      teaching and to high standards of academic scholarship in high school
      teaching.  Martha Sue Morrow, nee Baker (1924-1969), was a 1946
      graduate of Texas State University and a highly respected teacher at Bay
      City High School in Bay City, Texas. One scholarship is awarded each
      spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an exemplary, upper division, teacher candidate in secondary geography
    2.  submit their GPA (counts one-third in judging)
    3.  submit recommendation letters from university faculty or mentor teachers (counts one-third in
         judging)
    4.  write a 500-word essay discussing teaching goals and interests, with an emphasis on dedication to
         teaching and educational philosophy, as well as efforts to make a difference in students’ lives and learning
         through teaching and educational service whether innovative or traditional, inside or outside of the classroom
         (counts one-third in judging)
    5.  have undergraduate standingbe enrolled for 12 semester hours


16) The National Center for Farmworker Health Award in Geography
      honoring the commitment of Texas State University students to improving
      the health status of a migratory and/or seasonal agricultural worker
      population.

Applicant must:
    1.  has undertaken a laudatory academic or community service project that is deemed likely to
         improve the health status of a migratory or seasonal agricultural worker population
    2.  has undertaken a laudatory academic or community service project that
         enhances understanding of migratory or seasonal agricultural worker health needs
    3. demonstrates a personal connection to migratory or seasonal agricultural workers either through
        family history, or a personal or professional commitment.


17) The Jacob ("Jake") Rakofsky Scholarship
      honors the memory of Jacob “Jake” Rakofsky.  It is only fitting that this
      scholarship be an extension of that spirit that was Jacob Rakofsky and it
      continues to give, in perpetuity, to students who shared Jake’s love for
      Geography.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a non-freshman undergraduate student
    2.  be pursuing a geography or geography-related degree
    3.  be a student who struggled during their freshman year, but has continued to maintain progress
         toward a degree


18) The Richard Wayne Simmons Scholarship
      honors Richard Simmons’ untiring advocacy for the Department of
      Geography.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available
      funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in their major
    3.  be a junior or senior
    4.  have started school later in life or returned to school after some time away


19) The Spirit of Geography Scholarship
      honors the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in
      an airplane that was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.  One
      scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied
      to the following fall.

Applicant criteria:
    1.  one high school student who best represents the “Spirit of Geography” will be selected from the
         annual Texas State Department of Geography Summer Geography Academy for Minority Students
    2.  the selected student must agree in writing to attend Texas State as a geography major
    3.  if neither of these criteria are met, then the Texas State Geography Department has the discretion of
         either not awarding the scholarship or making exceptions to the criteria and awarding a deserving
         minority student who is currently a Texas State Geography pre-major or majorbe enrolled for 12 hours.


20) The Spirit of Geography Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship
      honors the collective success of urban planning alumni of the Geography
      Department, their contributions to the field and dedication to furthering the
      profession for future generations.  One scholarship awarded each spring
      pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate major in Urban and Regional Planning
    2.  possess a 3.0 Texas State GPA and a 3.0 Geography Department GPA
    3.  be classified as a Junior or Senior following completion of the Spring semester
         for which the scholarship is awarded
    4.  be an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) and/or the
         Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), with special consideration given to members of both
         organizations
    5.  be committed to an internship at an approved employer
    6.  submit a 500-word essay demonstrating an understanding of the importance of urban planning in
         Central Texas and a record of civic engagement & volunteerism


21) The Phillip A. Staskus Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
      honors Phillip A. Staskus’ extraordinary devotion to his wife and children.
      One scholarship awarded each spring pending available funding, and
      applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a geography major
    2.  be a junior or senior
    3.  have successfully completed 15 semester hours of geography course work
    4.  have an overall GPA of 2.75 or above
    5.  write a two-page double-spaced essay stating how the student plans to use her/his geography degree


22) The Taetz Family Geography Scholarship
      honors the Taetz family and the positive impact that diverse geography has
      had on their lives.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
      available funding.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have successfully completed at least 30 hours at Texas State University-San Marcos
    3.  have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and be in need of financial aid for the applicable spring semester
    4.  write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student plans to do with his/her degree in
         geography


23) The Jim Wacker Memorial Scholarship
      honors the memory of the University’s legendary football coach and athletic
      director, Jim Wacker (1936-2003), and his commitment to class, integrity
      and academic success.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
      available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a 2.75 GPA or higher