Hollings Ugrad Scholarship FAQs

Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NOAA and what is NOAA’s mission? What is the purpose of the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship program? What does a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship award provide? How can I get more information about the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship? Am I eligible to receive a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship? How do I apply for a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship? What must I submit to apply? The eligibility requirements state that applicants must have full-time junior academic status in the upcoming Fall term. If I will be a senior in the upcoming Fall term, am I eligible to apply? What is the selection process? How will my application be evaluated? Are there any other selection factors considered in the determination of scholarship awards? If my major is not listed as one of the options under the areas of discipline on the application, am I still eligible to receive a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship? What is the purpose of the internship? What are the requirements of the scholarship? If I receive another scholarship from NOAA, am I still eligible to receive a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship? How often do I receive the academic award and internship stipend payment? What are the health insurance requirements? When will I be notified if I receive a scholarship? What happens if I fail to maintain the eligibility requirements of the program after receiving a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship award? If I am awarded a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, when am I expected to identify an internship? How do I go about finding an appropriate internship experience?		What is NOAA and what is NOAA’s mission?
		Established in 1970, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal science agency in the Department of Commerce (www.doc.gov). Its mission is: To understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs. To achieve this mission, NOAA has identified four goals in which to focus agency activities: Ecosystems: protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management. Climate: understanding variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond. Weather and Water: serve society’s needs for weather and water information. Commerce and Transportation: support the nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation. NOAA has also identified “promoting environmental literacy” as a cross-cutting priority essential to achieving NOAA’s mission in all four of the goal areas. To learn more about the broad range of NOAA sciences, services, and stewardship activities that contribute to the agency’s mission, goals, and priorities, explore the NOAA website (http://www.noaa.gov/) and “NOAA in Your State and Territory (http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/NIYS0107/noaainyourstate.html).

		What is the purpose of the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship program?
		The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship program was established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (PL 108-447) to honor retiring Senator Ernest F. Hollings ((D), South Carolina). The purposes of the program are to: (1) increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; (2) increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy; (3) 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 and local levels of government; and (4) 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.

		What does a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship award provide?
		The Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship program provides selected undergraduate applicants with awards that include financial assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for two academic years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility. The internship between first and second years of award provides a “hands-on” multidisciplinary educational and training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include a mandatory NOAA orientation during the last week of May in the first year of the scholarship award; a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship; round-trip travel to the internship site including reimbursement for incidentals; and travel funds for attendance and participation at a Hollings Scholarship program conference at the completion of the internship.
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		How can I get more information about the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship?
		For more information about the scholarship, contact: NOAA Office of Education/Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship at StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov or call (301) 713-9437 ext 150.
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		Am I eligible to receive a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship?
		To be eligible to receive a Hollings Scholarship, you must: Be a U.S. citizen. Be enrolled or accepted as a full-time 3^rd year student in a four-year program or as a full-time 4^th year student in a five-year program in the Fall 2008 term in an accredited college or university within the United States or U.S. territories. Have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on other identified scale) in all completed undergraduate courses each semester or quarter, as well as cumulative, and in your major field of study. Have declared a major in a discipline including, but not limited to, oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA's programs and missions. Related discipline areas of study may include: biological, social, and physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; and teacher education.
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		How do I apply for a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship?
		To apply for a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants can download an application at http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/Hollings_info.html. The application is available annually November through February. If you do not have Internet access, hard-copy applications can be requested by contacting: NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship at StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.
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		What must I submit to apply?
		Applicants are required to submit all of the following items for an application to be deemed eligible: A completed application form. Two essays. Official college transcript(s) (one for each institution attended sent to NOAA by the institution). At least two academic references.
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		The eligibility requirements state that applicants must have full-time junior academic status in the upcoming Fall term. If I will be a senior in the upcoming Fall term, am I eligible to apply?
		Eligible Hollings applicants include 3^rdyear students in a four year academic program and 4^th year students in a five year academic program. To maintain eligibility, students must demonstrate full-time status for both academic years during which they are Hollings scholars. Applicants entering their 4^th or 5^th academic year in the Fall and expecting to graduate at the end of that same year are not eligible.
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		What is the selection process?
		An initial administrative review of applications (which includes the application form, two essays, two academic references, and all official transcripts) is conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of applications. Only complete applications that meet all eligibility requirements will be considered for review. Applications identified as incomplete or do not meet the requirements will be deemed ineligible. All complete and eligible applications undergo a merit review by a panel of experts in the areas of study related to the Hollings Scholarship. Panel members rate applications based on the evaluation criteria listed below. A numerical score is assigned to each application based on the average of the panelist’s ratings. The selecting official, the Director of Education, will award scholarships in rank order.
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		How will my application be evaluated?
		Applications are evaluated on the following criteria: 1. Relevant course work (30%). 2. Education plan and statement of career interest (40%). 3. Academic 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; interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills (10%).
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		Are there any other selection factors considered in the determination of scholarship awards?
		In determining final awards, the selecting official reserves the right to select candidates out of rank order based on program-specific objectives and to ensure distribution across academic disciplines, type of institution, and geographic location.
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		If my major is not listed as one of the options under the areas of discipline on the application, am I still eligible to receive a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship?
		If a particular major is not listed on the application under “Field of Study,” you may still be eligible. Awards are limited to the Fields of Study identified on the application, NOT to the majors listed under those fields. A wide variety of general undergraduate academic programs can be applicable to NOAA’s mission. Application reviewers will look specifically at applicant’s coursework and statements of academic and career interest to assess how a particular course of study relates to NOAA and provides the training necessary to pursue a NOAA-related career.
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		What is the purpose of the internship?
		The purpose of the internship is to provide “hands-on” multidisciplinary educational and training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management and education activities. Opportunities to complete the internship are available throughout the United States and U.S. territories. NOAA offices, programs, and laboratories offer a wide variety of options for the internship experience. Contact the NOAA Office of Education or visit the NOAA website at http://www.noaa.gov to explore the range of NOAA opportunities available at a desired location. If an internship requires relocation for the summer, scholars receive travel and housing subsidies under the terms of the award.
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		What are the requirements of the scholarship?
		Award recipients are required to earn a 3.0 grade point average each semester or quarter, as well as cumulative and in the major field of study; participate in a one-week mandatory orientation program at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland during the last week of May; visit the selected summer internship site during the winter or spring break; and complete a 10-week paid internship during the summer between the junior and senior years.
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		If I receive another scholarship from NOAA, am I still eligible to receive a Hollings Scholarship?
		Yes, providing the program requirements do not conflict with those of the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship.
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		How often do I receive the academic award and internship stipend payment?
		At the start of each academic semester upon certification of full-time enrollment, scholars receive a monthly payment. During the summer internship, scholars receive stipend payments every two weeks on a prearranged schedule. Direct deposit is available for both the academic award payment and the internship stipend payment.
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		What are the health insurance requirements?
		Scholars are required to have insurance coverage under a health insurance plan during the entire internship appointment.
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		When will I be notified if I receive a scholarship?
		The deadline for receipt of applications is February 9th. Successful applicants are notified the first week of April. Unsuccessful applicants are notified by the end of April.
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		What happens if I fail to maintain the eligibility requirements of the program after receiving a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship award?
		Scholars who fail to maintain the eligibility requirements after receiving a Hollings Undergraduate scholarship are terminated immediately from the program. Full repayment of award benefits will be required if a recipient is determined, in obtaining or using the scholarship, to have engaged in fraudulent conduct or failed to comply with the terms or conditions of the scholarship. Award benefits are contingent upon compliance with all eligibility requirements. Scholarship recipients are required to provide verification of enrollment and full-time academic status at the start of each semester or quarter.
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		If I am awarded a Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, when am I expected to identify an internship?
		By January, scholars are expected to have identified an appropriate internship experience.
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		How do I go about finding an appropriate internship experience?
		The scholarship program team works directly within the agency to develop, identify, and advertise appropriate internship opportunities throughout NOAA. In October, Hollings scholars receive e-mail notifications of available opportunities. Scholars are encouraged to explore a wide range of possibilities and to identify an internship to complement their academic and career goals. Once an internship has been selected, students are required to visit that site and meet with their internship mentor. After spring break, Hollings scholars are required to submit a project plan developed by the student and the internship mentor. Selection of interns for such opportunities is competitive and students are encouraged to have a resume or curriculum vitae, academic records and recommendations up to date to respond in a timely fashion to their opportunities of interest.
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