Spirit of Apollo Scholarship

The Houston Section of the AIAA is pleased to announce the Spirit of Apollo Scholarship for the 2017-2018 school year in the amount of $1000.

The objective of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics. The AIAA encourages original research, furthers dissemination of new knowledge, fosters the professional development of those engaged in scientific and engineering activities, improves public understanding of the profession and its contributions, fosters education in engineering and science, promotes communication among engineers and scientists and with other professional groups, and stimulates outstanding professional accomplishments.

The following eligibility requirements shall be met by the applicants for the AIAA Houston Section Scholarship award:

  1. Applicant must have completed at least one academic year of full-time college work at the time of receiving the scholarship.
  2. No minimum grade point average is required to apply.
  3. Applicant shall be enrolled in an accredited college or school in AIAA Region IV, i.e. schools in Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.
  4. Applicant shall be pursuing a course of study in any field of engineering, math, or science (i.e., physical science, physics, or computer science) that is pertinent to the technical activities.
  5. Applicant shall not have, or subsequently receive, any other scholarship award which, combined with the AIAA award, would provide a stipend greater than the tuition plus direct educational expenses (such as books, lab fees, etc.) estimated by the educational institution he or she plans to attend.
  6. Students who receive an award are eligible to reapply in succeeding years. It should be stressed that regardless of GPA, renewal is not automatic. To apply for renewal, an individual must follow the application procedure indicated below.
  7. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The recipients of the scholarship awards will be selected using the following criteria, which are listed in order of importance:

  1. Scholarship (40%)
    This criterion will be evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s grade point average or equivalent.
  2. Personal Assessment of Career Goals (15%)
    This criterion will be evaluated through a 500-1000 word typewritten essay. The essay should specify the career objectives of the applicant and should outline the academic program required to achieve those career objectives.
  3. Recommendations (15%)
    Each applicant will be judged on personal and academic merit, based on letters of recommendation.
  4. Extra-curricular Activities (10%)
    Each applicant’s high school, college, and community activities, offices, and awards will receive due consideration.
  5. Work experience (10%)
    Any work experience is acceptable, relevant work experience is preferable.
  6. Need statement (10%)
    Write a need statement, any special circumstances the selection committee should consider.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Each applicant will provide the following information:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. A current college transcript.
  3. Each new applicant must include one to three (max) letters of recommendation. Individuals seeking renewal are not required to provide any. Recommendations from relatives will not be accepted. The letters of recommendation may be attached to the application if sealed by the writer or sent under separate cover to the address indicated below. Recommendations must be e-mailed no later than the due date of the application. The Applications (including transcripts, essays, etc.) for the next academic year must be e-mailed no later than June 1, 2017. Applications and transcripts should be e-mailed to chair2016@aiaahouston.org.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The AIAA Houston Section’s Scholarship Committee will be responsible for selecting the recipients of the awards.

SELECTION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The decisions of the AIAA Houston Section Scholarship Committee are considered to be final and the winner for the next academic year will be advised of the outcome by June 10, 2017. The AIAA Houston Section reserves the right, at any time and without advance notice, to modify, suspend, or terminate the Spirit of Apollo Scholarship. This includes the application, review, judging, or award process applicable to the Scholarship, in whole or in part.

DISBURSEMENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Disbursement of the scholarship awards shall be made in the form of a check in the name of the recipient and sent to the educational institution of the selected candidate. Educational institutions attended by the recipients will be notified of the scholarship awards, so that the institutions can coordinate the financial resources of the recipients.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Please submit this application form.