For students attending Marshall University or Marshall Community and Technical College, Two and Four Year Scholarships

A. Program Description

The Trailblazer Scholarship Program is funded by the National Science Foundation, and will last four years beginning September 2010.  The purpose of this program is to award students a full scholarship to attend college.  Selected students will have a need for financial help with their college tuition and expenses, have dependents (children and/or dependent adults), and want to major in one of the science, math, engineering or technology fields.  
The scholarship will be awarded in addition to any federal or state grants the student is awarded.  To cover living expenses, Trailblazer Scholars will receive a monthly stipend in addition to other types of assistance that may already be received, such as housing, daycare or food assistance.  The program goal is to provide scholarship stipends in a manner that does not interfere with students’ other support systems.

Ideally, these scholarships are meant to cover the entire cost of attending school full-time, including living expenses, so that the student can focus on their education and still have quality time with family.  The long-term goal is to blaze a trail for the entire family to someday travel the path of higher education.  Therefore, students’ families will be included in enrichment activities whenever possible.
To be considered for a Trailblazer Scholarship, applicants must have a desire to be employed in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field and be:

• A United States citizen
• Responsible for dependents (children and/or dependent adults)
• Low-Income
• Willing to participate in enrichment programs
• Planning to attend Marshall University or Marshall Community and Technical College
• Able to attend school full-time

The STEM majors available at Marshall University include:

• All College of Science Programs
• All College of Information Technology and Engineering Programs
• Geography

The STEM majors available at Marshall Community and Technical College include:

• Information Technology
• Geospatial Studies
• Bioscience

B. Applicant Instructions

Because this scholarship opportunity is based on financial status, the applicant must also complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  If possible, you should complete your FAFSA application by March 1st in order to be eligible for state financial aid.  Both your FAFSA and this application to apply for a Trailblazer Scholarship must be completed and submitted no later than December 1, 2012. 

Complete the application (section D) and provide the following as attachments:

• A personal statement of 1-2 pages regarding your background, interests, current situation and motivation 
• All Academic Transcripts, including high school and any other higher education activities. NOTE: If you have a college transcript, your High School transcript is not required.
• One letter of recommendation from a former teacher, professor or guidance counselor regarding your academic ability
• One letter of recommendation regarding your character from a former employer or other individual familiar with your ability to follow-through on goals and projects
• ACT, SAT or ACCUPLACER Scores (if available)

C. Terms and Conditions

• If awarded a scholarship, a student in good standing will automatically be renewed for three (3) subsequent years if the scholar maintains a satisfactory (2.7) GPA and has participated in Trailblazer enrichment activities.  In regard to MCTC students, the scholarship will be renewed for (1) subsequent year unless the scholar transfers to MU in year three.
• Trailblazer Scholars will be required to attend monthly activities (estimated 3 hours per month) and an annual 3 day workshop during the summer. 
• All applications will be reviewed and recipients will be selected by a selection committee composed of MU and MCTC professors.
• Applications will receive a letter notifying them of whether they have or have not been selected.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Students awarded the scholarship will be required to sign a contract committing them to the program’s terms and conditions.

If you have questions, contact Dr. Murray at 304.696.3515 or murraye@marshall.edu. 

You can either complete the main application online and simply mail the required attachments (described in section B) or print and complete the application, filling out all fields in the application, mailing with the attachments (described in section B) to:

Dr. Elizabeth Murray
Trailblazer Scholarship Program
Department of Integrated Science and Technology
College of Science
Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV  25755-2506

Online Application

Printed Appication