AMS First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship
Offered by American Meteorological Society
About This Scholarship
The American Meteorological Society created its First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship program to pull talented high school students into the atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic sciences before they ever set foot on a college campus. Industry partners and AMS members sponsor the individual awards, many of them named in memory of meteorologists and scientists who shaped the field.
Each scholarship pays $5,000 in total, split as $2,500 for the freshman year and $2,500 for the sophomore year, with the second payment contingent on successfully completing year one. That structure rewards students who stay in the major rather than those who simply start in it.
The application is refreshingly light for a national award: an application form, an unofficial transcript covering three years of grades, an optional high school profile, and a single letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or professional reference. Note that marine biology majors do not qualify — the degree must be in atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- High school senior entering their freshman year of college in fall 2027 as a full-time student
- Planning to pursue a degree in the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences (marine biology does not qualify)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
How To Apply
- Create an account on the AMS online application portal linked from the scholarship page
- Complete the application form
- Upload an unofficial high school transcript showing grades from the past three years (plus an optional high school profile)
- Request one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, guidance counselor, or professional reference
- Submit all stages before the January 31, 2027 deadline — incomplete applications are not accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the $5,000 paid out?
The scholarship awards $2,500 for your freshman year and $2,500 for your sophomore year. The second year's funding depends on successfully completing the first year.
Does marine biology count as a qualifying major?
No. AMS states explicitly that marine biology does not meet the degree requirement. The degree must be in atmospheric science or a related oceanic or hydrologic science, such as meteorology, oceanography, or hydrology.
Do I need to be an AMS member to apply?
No. The program is open to all eligible high school students — there is no membership requirement.