AmericanScholarship - Update on Scholarships in America

Deadline: June 1, 2007

The Houston Section of the AIAA is pleased to announce the Spirit of Apollo Scholarship for the 2007-2008 school year in the amount of $1000. The first half ($500) will be available for the Fall Semester. The second half ($500) will be available for the Spring Semester. Eligibility requirements must be met for both the Fall and Spring semesters.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics.

The AIAA encourages original research, furthers dissemination of new knowledge, fosters the professional development of those engaged in scientific and engineering activities, improves public understanding of the profession and its contributions, fosters education in engineering and science, promotes communication among engineers and scientists and with other professional groups, and stimulates outstanding professional accomplishments.

ELIGIBILITY
The following eligibility requirements shall be met by the applicants for the AIAA/Houston Section Scholarship award:

• Applicant must have completed at least one academic year of full-time college work at the time of receiving the scholarship.
• Applicant must have a college grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicant shall be enrolled in an accredited college or school in Texas.
• Applicant shall be pursuing a course of study in any field of engineering, math, or science (i.e., physical science, physics, or computer science) that is pertinent to the technical activities of the AIAA.
• Applicant shall not have, or subsequently receive, any other scholarship award which, combined with the AIAA award, would provide a stipend greater than the tuition plus direct educational expenses (such as books, lab fees, etc.) estimated by the educational institution he or she plans to attend.
• Students who receive an award are eligible to reapply in succeeding years. It should be stressed that regardless of GPA, renewal is not automatic. To apply for renewal, an individual must follow the application procedure indicated below.
• Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

SELECTION CRITERIA
The recipients of the scholarship awards will be selected using the following criteria, which are listed in order of importance:

• Scholarship
  This criterion will be evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s grade point average or equivalent. A grade point average of not less than 3.0 (B) is required.
• Personal Assessment of Career Goals
  This criterion will be evaluated through a 500-1000 word typewritten essay. The essay should specify the career objectives of the applicant and should outline the academic program required to achieve those career objectives
• Recommendations
  Each applicant will be judged on personal and academic merit, based on letters of recommendation.
• Extra-curricular Activities
  Each applicant’s high school, college, and community activities, offices, awards, and work experience will receive due consideration.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Each applicant will provide the following information:

• A completed application form.
• A current college transcript.
• Each new applicant must include three typewritten letters of recommendation. Individuals seeking renewal need only supply two letters. Recommendations from relatives will not be accepted. The letters of recommendation may be attached to the application if sealed by the writer or sent under separate cover to the address indicated below. Recommendations must be postmarked no later than the due date of the application.
• A 500-1000 word typewritten essay as described in selection criteria.

The Applications (including transcripts, essays, etc.) for the next academic year must be post-marked no later than 1 June 2006.

Applications and related materials should be addressed to:
Dr. Douglas Schwaab
Scholarship Committee Chair
AIAA-Houston Section
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
P.O. Box 57524
Webster, TX 77598

ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The AIAA-Houston Section’s Scholarship Committee will be responsible for selecting the recipients of the awards.

SELECTION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The decisions of the AIAA Scholarship committee are considered to be final and the winner for the next academic year will be advised of the outcome by 15 June 2007.

DISBURSEMENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Disbursement of the scholarship awards shall be made in the form of a check in the name of the recipient and sent to the educational institution of the selected candidate. Educational institutions attended by the recipients will be notified of the scholarship awards, so that the institutions can coordinate the financial resources of the recipients.