Scholarships

We are pleased to offer a variety of endowed scholarships, awards, fellowships, and assistantships for which SCI students may apply. These opportunities, which are funded through the generosity of alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations, are offered to students who demonstrate academic accomplishments and leadership skills. All SCI scholarships are posted via the PittFund$Me portal available on my.pitt.edu.

All or Multi-Degree Program Scholarships

• The Barbara E. King Scholarship Award supports outstanding undergraduate or graduate students. Preference is given to students who will improve the diversity of the School’s undergraduate population.
• Russell “Rusty” A. Howard II Memorial Scholarship: To provide support for tuition & other education related expenses for grad student(s) at SCI. Preference given to a student(s) pursuing a master's degree in computer science or information science.
• SCI Scholarship Fund: Occasionally funds are available for specific awards by generous alumni and other donors. These opportunities will have specific announcements internal to departments or the school. Please watch your emails and announcements.
• Gerald and Catherine Smith Student Resource Fund: Support for undergraduate student(s) in SCI for education-related expenses exclusive to tuition and room and board. Preference will be given to student(s) pursuing a digital narrative and interactive design major.
• Elizabeth U. Baranger Predoctoral Fellowship: This predoctoral fellowship honors Professor Elizabeth U. Baranger, who in 2004 retired as the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. Incoming PhD students of any gender in STEM fields who support the mission of Dr. Baranger to improve the status of women at the University of Pittsburgh and in STEM fields are eligible for this award. The recipient of the award is chosen by the Office of the Provost with input from the deans of participating schools. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement, potential to contribute significant research to their field, and commitment to Dr. Baranger’s mission. The award provides a 12-month stipend, a full tuition scholarship and health insurance.

Computer Science Program Scholarships

• The Koeppel Family Student Fund: Supports students in the Department of Computer Science and provides support for books, lab fees, travel and other educational expenses for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Jerry and Cathy Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund: Provides tuition and other education-related expensed for enrolled SCI graduate students. First preference to students majoring in computer science.
• Orrin E. and Margaret M. Taulbee Graduate Award for Excellence in Computer Science: This award provides fellowships to students in the PhD program in the Department of Computer Science. Students must be a full-time doctoral student in good standing maintaining at least a 3.0; must have successfully passed the qualifying exam, been admitted to the PhD program and making significant progress toward the degree; must have completed at least 2 semesters as a TA with classroom experience, with preference given to those who evidence outstanding teaching skills; must have demonstrated strong research interests, as indicated by scholarly publications and/or conference proceedings; and a strong preference given to a doctoral student who has shown a marked interest in pursuing an academic career.
• Judith Katany and Daniel Taft Endowed Scholarship Fund: This fund provides financial support for SCI undergraduate students, with a preference for students in the Department of Computer Science.

Information Science and Telecommunication Programs Scholarships

• Mitchell Family Scholarship in the School of Computing and Information: Provides support for tuition & other educational expenses of undergraduate & graduate student(s) in SCI. It is the hope of the Donor that the Scholarship Fund will assist the University in achieving its goal of attracting & retaining students who contribute to the diversity of the student body at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Anthony Debons Scholarship: Presented annually to a graduate student for outstanding contributions to the MIS program. Dr. Debons was a professor in the former School of Information Science and a leader in the information science field for more than forty years.
• Catherine Ofiesh and Gerald Orner Award: An annual award for excellence in information science in memory of Gerald's wife Catherine.
• Ida M. Flynn Memorial Award: Given to students in recognition of excellence and outstanding contributions to the BSIS program who contribute to the advancement of diversity in the school.
• Jennifer and Eric Spiegel Technology and Communications Award: Supports a full-time student in the undergraduate information science program. Students in INFSCI 1044 are invited to submit a 500-1000 word essay about technology and communications. Awardees must have a 3.00 or higher GPA.
• Allen Kent Scholarship Endowment: Allen Kent is a distinguished service professor emeritus at the former School of Information Sciences. The Allen Kent Scholarship Endowment award is presented annually to a student who is enrolled during the academic year in which the scholarship will be given; and through coursework and participation in the activities in the School, and the student should show academic excellence and indications of potential leadership in the profession.
• James G. Williams Scholarship Fund: The James G. Williams Scholarship Fund was created to honor Distinguished Professor Emeritus James G. Williams. The scholarship supports an outstanding student enrolled in the MSIS program.
• Dr. Fritz Froehlich Scholarship: Presented to a graduate student for outstanding contributions to the telecommunications degree program.
• K. Leon Montgomery Assistantship in Telecommunications: Provides support to a full-time master’s student enrolled in the MST program. Preference is given to students who achieve academic excellence through coursework, research, international focus, and leadership.

Library and Information Science Programs Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree by the faculty of the Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship based on academic merit and faculty recommendations.

• Alumni Anniversary Fellowship of the Carnegie Library School Fund: Established in 1927 by the alumni of the Carnegie Library School, this fund provides scholarships for students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Bertha G. Louik Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship supports students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Blanche Calistri McManus Scholarship Fund: This scholarship supports tuition and other educational expenses for SCI graduate students with a preference for students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Clair Pyle Fund: Funds are awarded to a female pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree (as available through the Pittsburgh Foundation).
• Dr. Joan Brest Friedberg Scholarship: This scholarship, established to honor Dr. Joan Brest Friedberg, co-founder of Beginning with Books, is for part-time, in-state students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree. Scholarship candidates may be part-time students and must be employed by a public library and/or express an interest in and an ability to pursue a career in public libraries.
• Elva S. Smith Scholarships: These scholarships, honoring Elva Smith, are awarded to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree who demonstrate potential for contributing to services children and young adult services in a public library or a school library.  Two tuition scholarships are available for full-time, on-campus students and several partial scholarships are available for full-time or part-time on-campus and online students.  
• Frank B. and Anne J. Sessa Scholarship: This endowed scholarship supports students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree who have demonstrated high academic achievement and who have an interest in a career in public libraries.
• George D. Brightbill Scholarship: This scholarship supports tuition and other educational expenses to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• LIS Scholarship Fund: This fund provides tuition support for students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Margaret Hodges Quasi-Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship honors the late Margaret Hodges, Professor Emeritus and author of books for children, provides a scholarship for an MLIS student who is pursuing a career as a children’s librarian in a public library.  
• Martha P. and Joseph C. Lang, Jr. Fund: This fund provides one or more scholarships to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Nina C. Brotherton Scholarship: Established by the Carnegie Library School Class of 1925, this scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree.
• Subramanyam Scholarship for Library and Information Sciences: This scholarship is offered to students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree who demonstrate academic excellence.