NSF Grant

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sam Houston State University has recently received a substantial sum of money from the National Science Foundation to develop the PEERS Program - Peers Enhancing their Education through Research and Scholarship.

The primary goal of the PEERS program is to increase the number of talented students majoring in biology, geology, geography, or the mathematical sciences through financial assistance. Those from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences and first-generation college students are especially encouraged to apply for this assistance.

Many of the scholarships are specifically designed to assist talented students with financial need that wish to transfer to SHSU from a two-year college for the purpose of completing an undergraduate degree.

Eligible students may be awarded a maximum of $5000 per year for up to two years, with the grant program lasting a minimum of 4 years. In addition to financial assistance, PEERS scholars will be provided a wealth of student development opportunities, including access to faculty and industry mentors, and career development workshops.

The SHSU Departments of Biology, Geography & Geology, and Mathematics & Statistics would certainly appreciate any assistance that could be provided in helping us find qualified, interested students. We will begin accepting applications in January 2008, with an anticipated deadline of March 15, 2008.  Transfer courses from your college to Sam Houston State University in each of the majors covered by the grant may be viewed by selecting you college from the list at https://www.shsu.edu/admissions/transfer/joint-admissions/.

Contact Information: Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2206

Melinda Holt
936-294-4859
mholt@shsu.edu

Brian Loft
936-294-4465
loft@shsu.edu

 

To be awarded a SHSU PEERS scholarship, a student must

  • be a U.S. citizen, national, refugee alien, or permanent resident alien;
  • demonstrate financial need (defined as eligibility for need-based Federal financial aid);
  • enroll full-time at SHSU, defined as 12 semester hours for undergraduates and 9 semester hours for graduate students;
  • have one satisfactory letter of recommendation from a previous instructor, counselor, or employer (as judged by the committee); and
  • submit a satisfactory essay on the topic of his or her academic and career plans (as judged by the committee).

 

The student must also satisfy one of the following criteria:

  • be a first-time undergraduate freshman with a minimum ACT score of 20, SAT of 1000 or be in the top 25% of his or her academic class;
  • be a continuing undergraduate student with an overall GPA of at least 3.0/4.0;
  • be an entering graduate student with a GRE of 1000 or an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25; or
  • be a continuing graduate student with 3.25/4.0 GPA or higher.
  • Freshman or sophomores must be declared a mathematics, statistics, geology, geography or biology major;
  • Junior or seniors must be declared a major in one of the listed disciplines and a minor in another.
  • Graduate students must be declared a mathematics, statistics, or biology major.

 

 


The PEERS application packet will be available at
www.shsu.edu/~peers.