Scholarship Opportunity

The MUST program supports the best and brightest students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines during the early years of their college education while enriching their learning with the MUST professional Academic Support System (MUST PASS), an academic enrichment, mentoring and career development system. Scholars participate in exciting research opportunities at NASA Centers that will help broaden their career horizons. Students from underrepresented groups in STEM are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen. U.S. Citizens from underrepresented groups (Women, African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and persons with disabilities) are encouraged to apply.
• Must reside in the U.S. or Territories of the U.S.
• Must be studying and hold full-time academic status at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or U.S. Territory for the 2008-2009 academic year
• Be a rising college freshman, sophomore or junior during the time of application who plans to attend or enroll in an accredited U.S. higher education institution as a full-time student for the 2008-2009 academic year
• Must have earned and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (un-weighted)
• Must be pursuing a degree in a physical science, technology, engineering or mathematics

The program components are the following:

• One-year partial tuition scholarship of up to one-half of a student’s tuition and fees, not to exceed $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is renewable until a student’s senior year provided that the students continues to meet all the eligibility criteria, comply with all program requirements, and submit a renewal application every year which will also require an official transcript and a letter of recommendation.
• MUST PASS (Professional and Academic Support System). MUST PASS is academic enrichment, mentoring, and career development system that offers resources and access to scientific mentors, tutors, graduate students, and professionals during the school year. Scholars receive a dedicated point of contact to obtain additional academic support and tutoring services when needed.
• A maximum stipend of $5,000 to participate in a mandatory summer research experience at a NASA Center. Scholars are considered for an internship at one of ten NASA centers. Selection for a NASA summer research experience is based on a student’s career profile and depends on internship availability.
• Students have the opportunity to join a professional association with any of the MUST Consortium organizations which are the Hispanic College Fund, the United Negro College Fund Special Programs and The Society of Hispanic Professional engineers. They will also be invited to participate in educational enrichment opportunities including competitions, conferences, graduate school preparation, and professional development.

The NASA MUST scholarship application is now available online at http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications!

Deadline for applications: March 1, 2008