APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

HARRISBURG, March 25, 2003 – State Senator Connie Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced that applications are now available to first-time applicants for the New Economy Technology Scholarship (NETS) Program for the 2003-04 academic year.

NETS is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

“The NETS Program was established to attract a workforce of highly trained technology experts to the Commonwealth in order to draw new employers and dissuade our skilled young people from moving to other states,” Williams said.

The filing deadline for first-time applicants for the 2003-04 academic year is December 31. Last year’s recipients should not reapply to be considered for 2003-04 NETS aid, but should complete a 2003-04 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so students should submit an application as soon as possible,” Williams said.

The NETS Program is comprised of two different grants – the SciTech Scholarship and the Technology Scholarship.

The SciTech Scholarship provides up to $3,000 per academic year to Pennsylvania residents who are enrolled full-time in an approved science or technology program, for a maximum of three years. Prior to receiving their degree, recipients must complete an approved internship or have relevant work experience in a field directly related to their major with a company that has operations in Pennsylvania.

The Technology Scholarship provides up to $1,000 per academic year to Pennsylvania high school graduates who are not seeking a four-year education but are seeking schooling in a science or technology field. Part-time students may be eligible for the scholarship up to $1,000 or 20 percent of their tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less.

Both scholarship programs require that recipients be high school graduates and residents of Pennsylvania and have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the time of application. The 3.0 – 4.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained through postsecondary study. Recipients must also apply for a Federal Pell Grant and Pennsylvania State Grant.

All recipients must agree to work full-time in Pennsylvania following their graduation, one year for each year that the scholarship was awarded.

The NETS Program is administered jointly by PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Approved fields of study are designated by PDE in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Workforce Investment Board. The application and list of approved programs of study can be downloaded at www.pheaa.org and interested parties can call 800-692-7392 for the application and brochure. Applications and brochures can also be obtained by calling Senator Williams’ district office at (610) 992-9790.