Term Length: 2 Years
US Citizenship Required
Minimum GPA: 3.0

To be eligible to apply for the Hollings Scholarship, at the time of application (annually September through January) applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be currently enrolled or accepted at an accredited college or university within the United States or U.S. territories as either:
  • a full-time 2nd year student in a four-year undergraduate program*
  • a full-time 3rd year student in a five-year undergraduate program*
  • a community college or transfer student who is applying to a four-year institution
    • Community college or transfer applicants must provide proof of application to a four-year institution when submitting their application for the scholarship.
    • If accepted for the Hollings Scholarship, applicants must submit proof of acceptance prior to starting the program.

*The full-time enrollment requirement applies throughout the period of undergraduate studies: prior to and at the time of application for the scholarship, for the period between application and award notification, and after award distribution.

• Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on another identified scale).
  • The GPA requirement applies throughout the period of undergraduate studies: prior to and at the time of application for a scholarship, for the period between application and award notification, and after award distribution.
• Have and maintain a declared major in a discipline including, but not limited to: oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, computer and information science, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA’s programs and mission.
  • For additional information regarding the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program, view the frequently asked questions or email StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.

The NOAA Office of Education conducts an initial administrative review of scholarship applications (which includes the application form, essay questions, two academic references, and all official transcripts) to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of applications. Only complete applications that meet all eligibility requirements, described under “Eligibility Requirements” will be considered for a merit review. Applications identified as incomplete or that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be deemed ineligible.

All complete and eligible scholarship applications undergo a review by a panel of scientific experts in the areas of study related to the Hollings Scholarship. Panel members rate applications based on the evaluation criteria described below.

1. Relevant coursework (15%)
2. Education plan and statement of career interest essay questions (60%)
3. References (20%)
4. Activities: Awards, honors, and activities — Academic and non-academic (5%).
   • List may include honor and/or technical societies, scholarships/fellowships, service organizations, campus activities, including offices held, paid or unpaid volunteer and entrepreneurship activities, involvement in community-based organizations, and other recognition.

Each application is reviewed by three independent panel members. A numerical score ranging from 0 to 100 is assigned to each application based on the average of the panelist’s individual ratings. The NOAA selecting official, the Director of NOAA Education, will determine the final scholarship award recipients.

In determining final awards, the NOAA selection official reserves the right to select student candidates out of rank order based on program-specific objectives and to ensure distribution across academic disciplines, type of institution, and geographic location.

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer.

The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and the annual Science & Education Symposium, scientific conferences where students present their research, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.

To apply for the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must visit the Hollings Scholarship website. The application is available annually from September through January.

Applicants are required to submit ALL of the following items for an application to be deemed complete and eligible:

• A completed scholarship application form;
• Answers to essay questions;
• Official college transcript(s) (one for each institution attended; uploaded into the online application); and;
• Two references (see Who will NOAA Education accept references from and when are they due?)