PAC/TAMU Science Scholars Program

What is it?

The Palo Alto College/Texas A&M University Science Scholars Program is a National Science Foundation-funded effort to increase the number of students receiving bachelor's degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The program, a partnership between the College of Science at Texas A&M University and Palo Alto College in San Antonio, aims to assist students with scholarship dollars needed to complete the associate's degree at PAC and study two more years at TAMU to complete a degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics.

How are Science Scholars selected?

We will be recruiting two classes of students: (1) end-of-year freshmen at Palo Alto College and (2) San Antonio-area high school seniors who plan to pursue an associate's degree at PAC.

How do I get in?

San Antonio-area high school students that have dual credit or participate in a Campus Connections/PAC Access Project or are in the top 10% of their high school class with a minimum Math SAT of 550 are eligible for program consideration. Existing PAC students with a 3.00 GPA both overall and in their major (BIOL, CHEM, MATH, PHYS) and support courses (BIOL, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS) also will be considered.

How and when should I apply?

The application is available at this link. The complete application and FAFSA is due to Sara Wilkins at Palo Alto Community College by August 15, 2008.

How much money is available?

Up to $10,000 in scholarship funding is available per year per student. The actual amount awarded is based on the amount of unmet financial need after a determination has been made by the respective Scholarships & Financial Aid offices on each campus.

What are Science Scholar recipients required to do?

Students receiving a Science Scholar award must sign a letter of intent to attend Texas A&M University in College Station at the conclusion of their second year at PAC. They must complete a set of courses determined by their individual interest, major and advising. All efforts will be made to ensure that students take only courses required for transfer and for degree requirements at both PAC and Texas A&M. Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA overall as well as within their major and support courses at PAC. In addition, they must have a 2.00 GPA overall and in their major at Texas A&M. Students must be full-time students and complete at least 60 hours at the conclusion of their second year at PAC. Students may not work more than 10 hours per week while attending PAC and are highly encouraged to work on campus (Ms. Wilkins may assist in placement). Students will be required to attend tutorials and meet with teaching faculty and advisors on a regular basis.

What if I don't qualify for the scholarship but have interest in attending Texas A&M?

If a student doesn't have financial need or does not meet the academic requirements, he or she may still transfer to the College of Science at Texas A&M if they post a 3.00 GPA overall and in their major and support courses through a pre-existing articulation agreement between the two institutions.

How can I be sure Texas A&M is a good fit?

All prospective students selected for the Science Scholars Program and their parents will be invited to an all-expense-paid trip to College Station. During this trip, students and their parents will be guests of the university and become familiar with the various programs on campus (Residence Life, Multicultural Services, Financial Aid, the libraries, the Student Learning Center, Student Life, the College of Science and its various departments, etc.).

Palo Alto Contact:

Ms. Sara Wilkins
Department of Sciences-Biology
Palo Alto College
1400 W. Villaret
San Antonio, TX 78224
swilkins6@mail.accd.edu
(210) 921-5295

Texas A&M University Contact:

Dr. Timothy P. Scott
College of Science, Texas A&M University
517 Blocker Building
3257 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3257
tim@science.tamu.edu
(979) 845-7362

Funding Agency:

National Science Foundation: DUE-0728685