Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Award Recipients

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What happens once I am selected as a Hollings scholarship recipient?	FAQ Home Previous topic Next topic
Successful student scholarship recipients will be notified by NOAA via an email. A NOAA support contractor will follow-up with an appointment letter which must be signed and returned indicating acceptance of the student scholarship award. All student scholars must participate in a one-week mandatory orientation program at the NOAA Silver Spring Metro Center Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland during the last week of May. A NOAA support contractor will coordinate the student scholarship recipient's travel and hotel arrangements for the one-week mandatory orientation program held at the NOAA Auditorium located at 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. All flights arrive at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the Sunday prior to the start of the mandatory orientation program. NOAA also provides bus transportation from the airport to hotels located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. NOAA pays for all pre-approved costs associated with the student scholarship recipients’ travel. Pre-approved taxi and metro fares are reimbursed when accompanied by the appropriate paperwork and receipts. A recipient who chooses to drive a personal vehicle to Silver Spring, Maryland, after receiving prior approval from NOAA will be reimbursed up to the cost of a round-trip airline ticket. NOAA does not recommend nor encourage recipients to drive due to limited local parking in Silver Spring, MD. Bus transportation will be provided to student scholars on Saturday, following the mandatory orientation program, from their hotels back to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A bus schedule will be provided in the "Welcome Package" each recipient receives prior to their arrival.
What are the responsibilities of a Hollings student scholar?
Undergraduate student scholars are responsible for: Attending the mandatory orientation program at the end of May; Conducting a site visit during their winter semester or quarter break; Completing an agreed upon summer project within 9 weeks; Signing the Project/Research Training record and e-mailing it to StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov every 2 weeks during the summer internship; Completing Bi-Weekly Status Reports and e-mailing to StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov by the designated time;and, Presenting their project to the NOAA community in Silver Spring, MD the last week of July.
What is the purpose of NOAA's mandatory orientation program?
NOAA provides student scholars the opportunity to learn about the agency, meet senior managers and understand the mission of the agency. NOAA organizations and selected staff offices present their research program activities during the mandatory orientation program.  In addition, NOAA organizations describe the types of projects that are/may be available for the summer internships. During the mandatory orientation program NOAA program staff present more detailed information about the student scholarship programs including finding a summer internship, selecting a NOAA mentor, travel procedures, student scholar’s and NOAA mentor’s responsibilities, stipend payments, and meeting the administrative support contractor. Tours of NOAA facilities will be provided. Also during the mandatory orientation program, student scholars will be assigned NOAA E-mail accounts (which will be used for all official electronic communication between student scholars and the student scholarship team after the mandatory orientation program) and NOAA ID badges.
What is the dress code for NOAA's mandatory orientation program?
During the mandatory orientation program and the final presentation week student scholarship recipients are required to dress in business casual attire. There will be photo opportunities with NOAA senior staff that may appear on NOAA web sites, in video clips and print media, brochures, etc. Examples of business casual attire include: For Males: Sports jackets Slacks (dress and khaki) Shirts with collars Ties For Females: Suits Skirts, slacks and blouses Sweaters The dress code on tours is casual (sneakers, jeans, t-shirts, etc). At no time are cut-off jeans, shirts or blouses displaying midrifts, micro/mini skirts or flip flops appropriate.
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Will I be paid for attending NOAA's mandatory orientation program?
No. Student scholars do not receive a stipend for attending the mandatory orientation program. However, all approved travel costs are included for the mandatory orientation program as part of the student scholarship. Student scholars will receive a meal stipend prior to travelling to Maryland.
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When will I start receiving scholarship payments?
Student scholarship recipients receive $888.88 per month during the academic year (up to a maximum of $8000 per year). Payments are deposited directly into the student scholar's checking or savings account on the last Friday of each month beginning in September. However, the NOAA support contractor must first receive verification of enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited institution.
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Will I be paid for attending the Final Presentation Week?
Yes. Student scholars are required to present their summary project reports during the final week and will be paid. The Presentation Week is considered the 10th week of the summer internship, at which time the student scholar's final presentation must be made..
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How does NOAA ensure students are enrolled full-time at a University?
At the start of each term student scholars are required to submit their course schedule to the NOAA support contractor to ensure that the student scholars continue their major field of study related to NOAA’s mission and are enrolled full-time.
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Can I transfer to another University after I accept a Hollings scholarship?
Yes. If a scholar transfers to another university or changes their major, NOAA and the support contract must be notified in writing prior to the transfer or change in major to obtain approval for continued scholarship funds.
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May I study abroad during my Jr. or Sr. year?
Yes. A student scholar may study aboard during their junior or senior year and still receive the scholarship. To study aboard and maintain their scholarship the student scholar is required to provide the following documentation: (1) a letter from their university indicating they have been approved to study abroad and that the university is an accredited program from which their units will transfer; (2) a letter from their study abroad program indicating that the student scholar will be a full-time student, the duration of their study abroad, and the courses the student scholar will be taking and that grades will be available and transferred; and, (3) upon their arrival at their study abroad institution, a letter from that institution certifying full-time status with a copy of the student scholar's course schedule and an updated contact information sheet. Student scholars must complete their site-visit and finalize all logistics for the summer internship prior to departing from the U.S. for the study abroad semester.
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Will my award be affected by other student scholarship or internship programs in which I am involved?
No. Student scholars are allowed to participate in other student scholarship and internship programs while receiving a NOAA award. However, they must fulfill the requirements of the NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program which are: participation in the mandatory orientation program and final week of presentations; maintaining a full-time student status of enrollment; receiving a 3.0 grade point average per academic term, as well as cumulatively; continuing their degree in a major field related to NOAA’s mission; and, participation in the 10-week summer internship. Student scholars are not permitted to receive the scholarship if they are employed by the Federal Government. There are no exceptions or substitutions to these program requirements.
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Is my financial award subject to taxes?
NOAA recommends that all student scholars contact a tax professional to determine tax obligations of financial awards.
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What is the process of obtaining a NOAA ID Badge?
The NOAA ID Badge is required to enter all NOAA facilities during the 10-week summer internship. Therefore, student scholarship recipients must adhere to Federal Security Procedures to obtain a NOAA ID Badge. All student scholars must: Complete the applicant Security Awareness Training at: http://www.osec.doc.gov/osy/HSPD12/Applicants.htm. Enter your full legal name and contact information - use your NOAA EMAIL account for email address. Under Status with the Department of Commerce, SELECT "I am a prospective contractor"  Leave Duty Station blank For Bureau/Office, SELECT "NOAA"  Under Sponsor information, INPUT the following: Sponsor's First Name:  Chantell Sponsor's Last Name:  Haskins Sponsor's email:  Chantell.Haskins@noaa.gov Sponsor's phone number: (301) 713-9437 SELECT "NEXT" to complete the training, PRINT the certificate indicating course completion.  Once "SUBMITED" there is no way to go back to print the certificate. Therefore, be sure to print the certificate first.  SELECT "SUBMIT" - if the training has been successfully completed, users will be directed to the Department of Commerce security homepage, indicating that this portion is complete. Complete the Special Agreement Check (SAC) form, answering questions 1 through 6 and filling out Date of Birth (DOB), Place of Birth (POB) City, State, Country, Social Security Number (SSN) and Citizenship toward the bottom of the page only. Do not fill in any other questions on this form. This form will be provided in the student scholar's Welcome Package. Complete the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Request Form (Form CD-591), answering questions 5 through 9. Do not fill in any other questions on this form. This form will be provided in the Welcome Package. Complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (Form 306), sign as an applicant. Complete the Name and Social Security Number fields on the Request for Security Services Form (Form 65-8). This form will be provided in the student scholar's Welcome Package. Make a photocopy of two forms of picture identification such as your driver's license, passport and/or college ID card. Compile a one page resume. Obtain 2 sets of fingerprints from your local police station prior to your arrival in Silver Spring, MD., for the mandatory orientation program. Fingerprint cards will be provided in the student scholar's Welcome Package. Student scholars should retain a receipt for reimbursement for costs associated with fingerprinting. The following sections must be completed on both fingerprint cards: Signature of person fingerprinted Residence of person fingerprinted Date Signature of Official taking fingerprints Title and address of official taking fingerprints Position to which appointed: Hollings Student Scholarship Intern Department, Bureau, and Duty Station (City and State): DOC/NOAA, Silver Spring, MD. Last Name, First Name, Middle Name Aliases (if applicable, i.e. maiden name) Social Security Number Sex (M/F) Race - Use the categories and abbreviations below: American Indian (AI) or Alaska Native (AN) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian (AS) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African-American (B) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black or African-American." Hispanic or Latino (L) - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central- American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term, "Spanish origin," can be used in addition to "Hispanic or Latino." Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (PI) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands White (W) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle-East, or North African. Other (O) - persons of any other origins Height Weight Eyes - provide color: Blue (BL); Brown (BR); Green (G). Hair - provide color: Brown (BR); Black (B); Blond (BL); Red (R); Gray/White (G) Place of Birth - City & State Date of Birth Bring all forms to NOAA's mandatory orientation program in May (including the completed PIV form, completed SAC form, completed Form 306, Form 65-8, your resume, the applicant training certificate, 2 completed fingerprint cards (with fingerprints and receipt) and 2 forms of picture ID).
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