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. 
• Russell “Rusty” A. Howard II Memorial Scholarship: To provide support for tuition & other education related expenses for graduate student(s) at SCI. 
• 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 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

• Jerry and Cathy Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund: Provides tuition and other education-related expenses for enrolled SCI graduate students. 
• 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.

Information Science and Telecommunication Programs Scholarships

• Anthony Debons Scholarship: Presented annually to a graduate student for outstanding contributions to the MSIS 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 Book Endowment Fund: Supports a full-time student in the undergraduate information science program. Awardees must have a 3.00 or higher GPA and be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior student. 
• 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 (Spring): 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.
• James G. Williams Scholarship Fund (Fall): In honor of James G. Williams (Distinguished Professor Emeritus), this is awarded to five incoming new students.  
• 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. 

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.
• 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.
• 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.