Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) Underrepresented Student Scholarship

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Applications Due March 15

If this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday

Recipients:
2024 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |  2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

Scholarship Overview

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) SSAI is a woman-owned business, which has been providing scientific and technological applications services since its incorporation in April, 1977. Based in Lanham, Maryland, SSAI specializes in Earth and space sciences, advanced computing, scientific analysis, instrument engineering, systems development, and information technology. The company's founders, Om and Saraswati (Sara) Bahethi, are naturalized U.S. citizens who have shown both compassion and commitment in supporting and assisting students studying to earn degrees in atmospheric and related sciences. Dr. Bahethi acknowledges the contributions of scholarships and financial assistance from educational institutions and the government to the completion of his own physics studies in the United States, and he and Mrs. Bahethi are happy to pass on their own assistance to others.

Scholarship at a Glance

  • One $2,000 award may be made each year
  • Awarded on the basis of scholarship and participation in SPS to undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior year of study who are from a group that is underrepresented in science and engineering*
  • Supported by Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI)

*The United States Department of Education defines underrepresented in science and engineering as: a minority group whose number of scientists and engineers per 10,000 population of that group is substantially below the comparable figure for scientists and engineers who are white and not of Hispanic origin. [This includes but is not necessarily limited to females and people who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latino.]

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be students in their sophomore or junior year of college who are majoring in physics or a related science
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who attend a college or university in the United States
  • Applicants must be undergraduate members of the SPS national organization
  • Applicants must be from a group that is underrepresented in science and engineering*

*The United States Department of Education defines underrepresented in science and engineering as: a minority group whose number of scientists and engineers per 10,000 population of that group is substantially below the comparable figure for scientists and engineers who are white and not of Hispanic origin. [This includes but is not necessarily limited to females and people who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latino.]

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

  • General information form
  • Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. Transcripts must be postmarked by the application deadline and mailed to:

SPS Scholarship Program
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

  • Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
  • Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives
  • Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS activities
  • Certification from the Department Chair that the applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
    • high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
    • the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
    • active participation in SPS programs.

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS Scholarship Committee shall consider with equal weight:

  1. high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
  2. the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
  3. active participation in SPS programs.

Details for Awardees

Awardees will be required to submit a completed W-9 federal tax form (or equivalent for international students) before funds are dispersed.

Questions

Please address questions related to this award to SPS-Programs [at] aip.org.