Scholarships and Awards

Psychology department scholarships

Scholarships and awards are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate scholarships and assistantship information can be found on the Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships page.

The three undergraduate scholarships listed below are awarded in the spring semester of each year to students majoring in psychology. You can apply through Iowa State University’s “OneApp” application, a link to which is provided below following the scholarship descriptions. The application deadline is in the latter half of February, with the specific date in any particular year being announced in the Psychology Undergraduate Weekly Bulletin. The Jane Ross‑Reynolds and the Ken Sufka scholarships are need‑based and therefore require verification of financial need. The Alison Morris scholarship is not need‑based, but need is a preference. Only one application is required. All applicants will be considered for every scholarship for which they are qualified. Scholarship applications are due April 1st.

Alison Morris Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Morris, an associate professor in the cognitive psychology program at Iowa State University, unexpectedly passed away in 2014. She taught Brain and Behavior (PSYCH 3100), Psychology of Language (PSYCH 4130), and Cognitive Neuropsychology (PSYCH 5190). Her research focused on how attention, perception, memory, and consciousness worked together in language processing. The $1000 scholarship established in her honor is for a junior or senior majoring in psychology who possesses at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and who plans to attend graduate school in a cognitive science discipline. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated financial need. The application must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the department of psychology, for which students should use the form provided at the link below.

Jane Ross-Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Ross-Reynolds, a school and educational psychologist, obtained her specialist and doctoral degrees from the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University. The Jane Ross‑Reynolds is a need-based scholarship open to sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in psychology who possess at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. In any particular year, awards may vary from approximately $500 to $2000. The application must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the department of psychology, for which students should use the form provided at the link below.

Kenneth Sufka Undergraduate Scholarship

Dr. Sufka completed his undergraduate and graduate work in the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University. Dr. Sufka established this scholarship in recognition of his mentors, Professors Richard A. Hughes and Ronald H. Peters. The Kenneth Sufka is a need-based scholarship open to juniors and seniors majoring in psychology who possess at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate involvement in the psychology department, community service, or psychological research. The award is typically $1000. The application must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the department of psychology.

Apply for these scholarships via OneApp: Iowa State University “OneApp”.

Psychology department awards

The two awards listed below are awarded annually in the spring to undergraduate psychology majors based on faculty nominations. If you believe you qualify for one of these awards, when they are announced in the Psychology Undergraduate Weekly Bulletin, please talk to your faculty advisor or another faculty member who can speak to your fit for the award. The faculty member completing the Letter of Support should email the completed letter directly to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Robert Hessling (rmh@iastate.edu), by the application deadline of April 1st.

Alvhh Lauer Award

Dr. Lauer, a long-time member of the psychology department, bequeathed funds to finance an annual monetary award (typically $300-$500) to the outstanding senior with a commitment to applied psychology. Criteria include scholastic achievement, involvement in research and/or practica activities, and a post-graduate commitment to applied psychology. List of past winners

Thomas A. Hannum Undergraduate Award

Dr. Hannum was a long-time member of the psychology department and Psychology Club / Psi Chi Advisor. In recognition of his contributions to undergraduates, a scholarship was established when he retired. An annual scholarship of about $100 is awarded to a junior psychology major with a very strong record of citizenship and service in the department as demonstrated by the student’s involvement with Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and peer mentorship. List of past winners

Conference travel funds

Travel funds are available from the LAS College and from Student Affairs and the Provost Office through the Undergraduate Conference Travel Fund (UCTF) as described here:

Additionally, the Department of Psychology has a limited pool of money that is available to psychology majors who are presenting work at a psychology (or psychology-related) conference. In order to be considered for the department funds, psychology majors should begin their request for funds at the department level. The amount received will become part of the information included on the UCTF application that is taken to the LAS College and then to the Provost Office. The same UTCF application is used to request funds from the department, the college, and the provost office. The step-by-step application process is described below. Department funds are distributed first-come, first-served and generally are in the $50-$150 range. They are authorized by the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in Psychology. The DUS is Dr. Robert Hessling, rmh@iastate.edu.

Steps in the application process:

Complete the UCTF application form on the website shown above, including the essay that is described as point 1 on the application form. Be reasonable and accurate in estimating expenses. If you are driving, there will be a mileage rate associated with the distance to be traveled. The DUS will help you with that if you don’t know it.
Have the form signed by the faculty member or graduate student associated with the research (if there is one) or by your faculty advisor. They should also look over your essay.
Bring the completed UCTF form, including the essay, to the DUS along with a copy of the abstract of the accepted paper or presentation. The DUS may suggest changes to make the application and/or essay stronger. The DUS will provide the signature for the department (that is, the DUS will sign the application on the line that says “signature of department head”). If department funds are available, the DUS will complete a line under “other funding requested” indicating both the amount that the department is giving and the name of the contact person for the department.

The UCTF application with the advisor and DUS signatures should then be submitted to the College and then to the Provost Office.

Poster competition

A poster competition is held each spring for psychology majors to present their research to the faculty. To submit your poster, please use the Poster Competition Entry Form.

Open to all psychology majors and minors at ISU
Students may be first author on only one poster
Posters describe original research that was conducted primarily by students (50% or greater involvement of students). PSYCH 3020 projects ARE acceptable. If participation is high, we will have separate awards for PSYCH 3020 posters and other posters.

First place will receive a $60 bookstore gift certificate; second place will receive a $40 certificate; third place will receive a $20 certificate.

The UCTF application with the advisor and DUS signatures should then be submitted to the college and then to the Provost Office.