ACS Scholarships Grants
The ACS Scholarships Grants for minorities offers the ACS program for students that study chemical science and who are native American Indian, Hispanic or African-American. For 16 years, the ACS program has offered renewable scholarships to minority students who have plans to enter chemistry or chemistry related fields. These awards are worth $5,000 each (based on available funding and individual need) and are presented to students who are either graduating from high school or who are in their freshman, sophomore or junior year of college. Students must be pursuing a degree in chemical technology or chemical science in order to qualify for the awards.
Originally established in 1994, the ACS Scholars Program works to attract underrepresented minority students in the field of chemical science. The program was established by the National Science Foundation and continues to work toward building awareness of the rewards and value associated with career chemistry fields, such as engineering or chemical science field, such as chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, biochemistry, etc. At the same time, the program assists students in acquiring necessary credentials and skills for success.
Over the years, the ACS Program has been the recipient of a number of awards, including the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, as well as the 1997 American Society of Association Executives Award of Excellence.
These awards are made possible by the generous donations of numerous individual donors, organizations and corporations who have contributed more than $3.5 million to the ACS Scholars program. As the ACS program continues to grow and develop, an increasing number of corporate partners now offer summer research opportunities to eligible students.
As a way of helping scholar recipients achieve success, the ACS Scholars Program also mentors to students. Mentors come from industry, college and university faculty and other volunteers from minority advocacy organizations which include the Society for the Advancement of Chicano’s and Native Americans and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.
Along with the renewable scholarships, ACS program also offers awards known as Project SEED scholarships. These minority scholarship awards are available to high school seniors. To be eligible for these awards, students must have worked a minimum of one summer at a science institute listed with the Project SEED program. In addition, applicants must plan to major in an engineering or chemical science field, such as chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, biochemistry, etc. The goal of the ACS scholarship is to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to college. The amount of the awards varies and may consist of up to $5,000. The ACS scholarships are non-renewable.
ACS also offers the ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship. This minority scholarship grant is awarded to undergrad chemistry major who attend one of 72 institutions that partner with ACS. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to teach high school chemistry. Award recipients receive $6,000 per academic year. The awards are available for up to six years. In order to continue receiving the award, recipients must continue to meet award criteria. Awards may be used to pay for tuition as well as room and board, books and other educational related expenses. The awards are administered to recipients through the individual partner institutions.
Along with the ACS Scholars Program, ACS also offers the ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship. This ACS scholarship grant is awarded to professionals who are already in the chemistry field and who have plans to pursue a master’s degree in education or who would like to become certified to teach chemistry/science. The awards are for $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study. The awards are renewable annually. These awards may be used to assist students in covering the cost of tuition as well as books, room and board and other educational related costs.
Applications for ACS Scholars Program are available beginning February 1st. In order to be considered for one of the ACS scholarships for minority students, applications must be received by no later than April 1st.