The Honors College has received new information about a scholarship program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read on to see if you’re qualified . . . interested individuals should contact Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole at Lisa.DeFrank-Cole@mail.wvu.edu or at 304.293.2100.

The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program was established through
> the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447). The
> purposes of the program include: (1) To increase undergraduate
> training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and
> education and to foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; (2) to increase
> public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and
> atmosphere and to improve environmental literacy; (3) to recruit and
> prepare students for public service careers with the National Oceanic
> and Atmospheric Administration and other natural resource and science
> agencies at the Federal, state, local and tribal levels of government;
> and, (4) to recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and
> educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific
> and environmental education in the United States.
> The Hollings Scholarship Program will provide successful
> undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance
> (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year) for full-time study during the 9-
> month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/
> week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed,
> academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study
> during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the
> first and second years of the award provides the scholars with ``hands-on’‘
> practical educational training experience in NOAA-related scientific,
> research, technology, policy, management, and education activities.
> Awards will also include travel expenses to attend a mandatory
> Hollings Scholarship Program orientation, approved conferences where students
> present a paper or poster, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do
> not reside at home during the summer internship.
>
> Authority
>
> The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program is
> established by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
> Atmospheric Administration under authority of the Consolidated
> Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447).
>
> Funding Availability
>
> Approximately $3.5 million will be available for the award of a
> maximum of 100 two-year scholarships, dependent on the availability of
> appropriations. There is no guarantee that funds will be available to
> provide scholarships for all qualified students.
>
> Eligibility
>
> Any undergraduate student who is a U.S. citizen; enrolled as a
> full-time student in the Fall 2008 as a sophomore, at an accredited
> college or university within the United States or U.S. Territories;
> possesses a minimum 3.0 grade point average per academic term and
> cumulative on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on other identified scale) in
> all completed undergraduate courses and in their major field of study;
> and has declared a major in a NOAA-related discipline, including, but
> not limited to, oceanic, environmental, and atmospheric sciences,
> mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, marine policy,
> physical and social sciences including, geography, physics, hydrology,
> meteorology, oceanography, or teacher education, that support NOAA’s
> programs and mission, may apply to this notification.
> The Hollings Scholarship Program will consider applications from
> all students that meet the above eligibility requirements.
>
> Evaluation Criteria
>
> Application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
> 1. Relevant coursework (30%).
> 2. Education plan and statement of career interest (40%).
> 3. Recommendations and/or endorsements (reference forms) (20%).
> 4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of
> education; extracurricular activities; honors and awards; non-academic
> and volunteer work; written and oral communications skills (10%).
>
> Selection Process
>
> An initial administrative review of applications is conducted to
> determine compliance with requirements and completeness of
> applications. Only complete applications in compliance with the
> requirements will be considered for review. Applications identified as
> incomplete or not in compliance with the requirements will be
> destroyed. All applications that meet the requirements and are
> complete will be evaluated and scored individually in accordance with the
> assigned weights of the evaluation criteria by an independent peer
> review panel, comprised of Federal and nonfederal employees. No
> consensus advice or recommendations will be given. A numerical ranking
> will be assigned to each application based on the average of the
> panelist’s ratings. The Program Officer will conduct a review of the
> rank order and make recommendations to the Selecting Official based on
> the panel ratings and the selection factors listed below. The
> Selecting Official, the Director of Education, NOAA, will consider merit reviews
> and recommendations and award in rank order unless the application is
> justified to be selected out of rank order based on one or more of the
> following selection factors:
>
> Selection Factors
>
> In determining final awards, the selecting official reserves the
> right to consider the following selection factors:
>
>
> 1. Availability of funds.
> 2. Balance/distribution of funds:
> a. Geographically.
> b. By type of institutions.
> c. Across academic disciplines.
> 3. Program-specific objectives.
> 4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought.