US MASTER Scholarship Application for 1st year college students
Undergraduate Scholarships with Mathematics and Science Training in Environmental Research
/For 1st year college students,
Returning or transfer students need to use the relevant application form provided on the US MASTER website!
/The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to the University of North Dakota to support a scholarship program for students majoring in biology, chemistry, geography and mathematics. The goal is to recruit and provide support for talented students who have a financial need, enroll in a science major, and have interest to explore science oriented career (that is not leading to the professional, e.g., medical career).
The US MASTER scholarship program may provide financial support for up to 4 years (if the renewal criteria are satisfied and funding available) covering tuition & fees. It is subject to competitive selection with support ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 a year depending on the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria:
§ Eligibility for student financial aid based on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form demonstrating need for the financial award. The need is determined as a cost of attendance (COA) minus Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).
§ High school GPA ≥ 3.5 or ACT≥ 25, if applicable college GPA ≥ 3.0
§ Full time enrollment in one of the science majors listed above
§ US Citizen or eligible noncitizen
Selection Criteria:
§ Personal statement (~300 words) describing interest in sciences, the importance of the US MASTER scholarship, interest in science-oriented research with regard to future career.
§ Two reference letters. One of the letters should be from an instructor/teacher or others involved in the applicant's educational experience. Details on the letter content are provided below.
Scholarship Renewal Criteria:
§ Yearly reapplication to the program with continuous interest in a science career
§ Maintain an institutional cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
§ Active participation in seminars/scholarship program activities
To ensure full consideration of their requests, applicants must:
ü Complete the UND admission application at http://und.edu/admissions/enrollment/ and indicate full time enrollment in a Biology, Chemistry, Geography or Mathematics major.
ü Complete UND financial FERPA at http://und.edu/admissions/student-account-services/ferpa.cfm listing US MASTER as an organization.
ü Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at www.fafsa.gov ; this is required to demonstrate need for the financial award package to be provided by UND.
ü Ensure submission of 2 reference letters; from an instructor/teacher or others involved in the applicant's educational experience. Instructions on the letter content are provided below.
ü Return the completed US MASTER scholarship application (next page) including the personal statement using one of the following options:
Email to: an , Fax at 701 777 2331 to attention of US MASTER, Mail to attention of US MASTER, 151 Cornell Street Stop 9024, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.
Priority will be given to applications submitted before November 30 for January admission, and July 15 for August admission. Applications received after these dates will be considered until the funds are awarded.
Applicant Information
Last Name: / First Name: / MI:Date of birth: / UND ID:
Current address:
City: / State: / ZIP Code:
E-mail: / Phone:
High School GPA: / ACT: / College GPA:
(if applicable)
Select Class (if applicable): ☐ Freshman ☐ Sophomore ☐ Junior ☐ Senior
DEmographic data (Check all that applY)
Race: ☐ American Indian/Alaska Native ☐ Asian ☐ Black or African American ☐ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Is. ☐ White☐ Do not wish to report or unknown
Ethnicity: ☐ Hispanic/Latino ☐ Not Hispanic/Latino ☐ Do not wish to report or unknown
☐ First Generation Student (parent or guardian did not complete 4-year degree) ☐ Do not wish to report or unknown
Checklist
I have complete FAFSA. Date completed: I have applied to UND. Date completed:I will be enrolled full-time, as a major in: ☐ Biology ☐ Chemistry ☐ Geography ☐ Mathematics
I have requested reference letters:
☐ Name of recommender 1: ☐ Name of recommender 2:
I have completed financial FERPA referring to US MASTER as organization. Date completed:
http://und.edu/admissions/student-account-services/ferpa.cfm
☐ I have a interest to explore Science opportunities through research and selected course work
Note: Students with pre-professional career goals are only eligible if they demonstrate interest in research or similar science experience.
☐ I have enclosed a personal statement/essay
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Please provide a personal statement that describes your interest in the sciences. Discuss your future career goals and if these involve performing research in the fields listed above. Also describe the importance of this scholarship for your academic success. Highlight any achievement (academic and research) that apply here. Students with pre-professional career goals (e.g., medical school) are only eligible if they demonstrate interest in research or similar science experience. Please use the space below and follow on the additional page:REFERENCE LETTER Instructions (provide these instructiosn to the recomMender)
Two letters are required. At least one of the letters should be from an instructor/teacher or others involved in the applicant's educational experiences.Reference Letter Format Requirements:
§ Letters are limited to 2 pages
§ Letters must be submitted on a professional letterhead
§ Letters must be signed
In your letter, please address the following issues explicitly:
§ Please include the name of your institution, how long you have known the applicant, and in what capacity.
§ Using your knowledge of the applicant's past and current experiences and activities, please comment as appropriate about his/her current GPA, as well as on his/her:
(a) potential to succeed in college,
(b) interest in science and the major selected,
(c) ability to communicate effectively,
(d) willingness to work cooperatively with peers and supervisors.
Though you may not address all of these items specifically, please comment on what you observed about the applicant.
§ If you have known other students applying to science majors in college, please compare this applicant to them. Otherwise, please compare this applicant to other successful students that you have known at this institution.
§ Please note that the more specific (as opposed to generic) a letter you can provide, the better it is for the candidate.
Send the letters to the US MASTER program using one of the following options
§ E-mail to ,
§ Fax at 701 777 2331 to attention of US MASTER
§ Mail to attention of US MASTER, 151 Cornell Street Stop 9024, Grand Forks, ND, 58202