How to Apply for a Scholars Award

The following information is for new applicants of the ACS Scholars Award.

Who Can Apply?

African American, Native American and Hispanic students planning to pursue full-time study in a chemically-related field with outstanding academic records and a desire to pursue a career in the chemical sciences can apply for an ACS Scholars Award.

You must be a:

• high school senior entering college in 2009 and planning to pursue full-time study in a chemically-related field (see acceptable majors)
• college freshman, sophomore or junior currently pursuing or planning to pursue full-time study in a chemically related field (see acceptable majors)
• community college student majoring in a two-year chemical technology program or planning to transfer to a four-year school (see acceptable majors)

Learn more about eligibility requirements and the selection process

Award Amounts

ACS will offer 100 or more new awards of up to:

• $2,500 for freshman
• $3,000 for sophomores
• $5,000 for juniors and seniors

Application Instructions

**Applications accepted November 1, 2009 – March 1, 2010, for the 2010-2011 academic year.**

To apply for the American Chemical Society Scholars Program award, you must:

• Submit an application form by March 1, 2010. You can apply online, download the application, or call (800) 227-5558 ext. 6250 to receive it by mail.
• Provide a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). This form is provided to you after you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA). Information on the form is kept confidential.
• High school students must submit (or arrange to have sent):

1. Your most recent official transcript or grade report
2. ACT or SAT score report
3. Two letters of recommendation. We require at least one recommendation from a chemistry instructor or someone who is familiar with your work in science. Recommendations may be emailed by the recommender only to scholars@acs.org.

• College students must submit:

1. An official transcript of grades. College freshmen will need to provide a high school transcript in addition to the college transcript. Transfer students must submit copies of transcripts from all previous institutions attended (transcripts from current institutions that include transferred credits/courses is acceptable).
2. Two letters of recommendation. We require at least one recommendation from a faculty member in your field of study. The second letter of recommendation should be from someone who knows you as a student, an employee or volunteer, and who can provide insight into your personal character, potential, motivation and ability to successfully complete a rigorous scientific course of study. Recommendations may be emailed by the recommender only to scholars@acs.org.

• All documentation must be received by March 1, 2010. Please mail to:
  
  American Chemical Society Scholars Program
  1155 16th Street NW
  Washington, D.C 20036

Questions? Please email scholars@acs.org or call (800) 227-5558 ext 6250.

Acceptable Majors

• Agricultural Chemistry
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Ceramic Science/Chemistry/Technology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Technology
• Environmental Science/Engineering (must be chemistry-based)
• Forensic Science/Chemistry
• Food Science (not nutrition)
• Industrial Chemistry
• Materials Science or Petroleum Engineering
• Nanotechnology or Nano Science
• Paper and Pulp Technology
• Toxicology

Acceptable career goals

• Chemist
• Biochemist
• Chemical Engineer
• Chemical Technician
• Forensic Chemist / Investigator
• MD/PhD (research physician)
• Patent Lawyer
• Professor/Teacher of Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Chemical Engineering
• Science Journalist