The endowment was established through a generous donation of Dodds Family in 1998. Avery Clifford Dodds was a Geosciences graduate of the University of Houston in 1952. As part of the endowment, the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston awards several Avery Clifford and Loise B. Dodds Scholarships of $500 to $2,000 yearly. Scholarship recipients are named the Avery Clifford and Loise B. Dodds Scholars. The recipient(s) of the scholarship will be determined by the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Scholarship Selection Committee.

The following conditions will be considered in awarding scholarships:

1. Scholarship applicants should demonstrate financial need.
2. Scholarship applicants must be a resident of Texas.
3. Scholarship applicants must be a certified junior or senior, full-time degree seeking student at the University of Houston.
4. Recipients must enroll for a minimum of 12 (twelve) hours each semester of award.
5. Scholarship applicants must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better.
6. Current scholarship recipients may reapply. Scholarship recipient may accept other scholarships and grants in conjunction with the Avery Clifford and Loise B. Dodds Scholarship.
7. Funds can be used to cover expenses for tuition, books, fees, and/or supplies for the coming academic semester. Any expenses of a recipient in excess of the amount deposited must be borne by the student.
8. Priority can be given to descendants of the Dodds families.