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PQS Scholars

An NSF S-STEM Scholarship Program at Marshall University
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Scholarships & Eligibility Scholar Experience About the Program Apply
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About

The PQS Scholars Program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) supported program providing renewable scholarships, mentoring, academic support, and career preparation for Marshall University students pursuing degrees in the physical and quantitative sciences (PQS).

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Who Can Become a PQS Scholar?

The PQS Scholars Program is designed for academically talented students with financial need who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree at Marshall University in chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics, or statistics.

Scholarship at a Glance
  • Up to the full cost of attendance, based on verified unmet financial need
  • Renewable annually for up to four years
  • Mentoring and academic support
  • Funding for research, internship, and field experiences
  • Career and graduate-school preparation
Program Overview

Marshall’s Physical and Quantitative Sciences (PQS) Scholars Program combines renewable scholarship support with a welcoming community and opportunities designed to help students thrive. Scholars connect with faculty, peers, alumni, and STEM professionals while participating in research, internships, professional development, and other experiences that prepare them for successful STEM careers or graduate study.

Important Dates
  • Applications open: January 10, 2027
  • Application deadline: March 1, 2027
  • Applicant interviews: March 2027
  • Scholarship notifications: March 2027

Scholarship and Eligibility

Student Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Meet NSF S-STEM citizenship or residency requirements: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, admitted refugees, or lawful permanent residents.
  • Be Pell Grant eligible with demonstrated unmet financial need.
  • Plan to enroll full time at Marshall University in an eligible PQS major: chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics, or statistics.
  • Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Scholarship Award

PQS Scholars receive scholarship support up to the full cost of attendance, based on verified unmet financial need.

Renewal requirements

Scholarships are renewable annually for up to four years. To remain eligible for scholarship support, scholars must:

  • Continue in an eligible PQS major.
  • Make satisfactory progress toward degree completion.
  • Maintain Pell Grant eligibility.
  • Continue to have verified unmet financial need.

Frequently Asked Questions

PQS Scholarships are last-dollar awards based on verified unmet financial need. The scholarship amount is determined after other grants and scholarships are considered and may vary by student.

Yes. Scholars may receive other forms of financial aid and scholarships. Because the PQS Scholarship is a last-dollar award, other grants and scholarships are considered when determining the amount of PQS Scholarship support.

Yes. PQS Scholars are selected through the program’s incoming first-year student application process.

PQS Scholarship eligibility requires scholars to pursue an eligible physical and quantitative sciences major: chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics, or statistics. A scholar who changes to a major outside the eligible PQS disciplines would no longer be eligible for PQS Scholarship support.

PQS Scholars participate in program activities designed to support academic success and preparation for STEM careers and graduate study. Activities include mentoring, scholar seminars, academic support, and career and professional development opportunities.

Scholar Experience

PQS Scholars become part of a supportive community focused on academic success and planning for life after college. In addition to renewable scholarship support, scholars receive mentoring, academic assistance, experiential-learning opportunities, and career and graduate-school preparation throughout their time at Marshall.

PQS Scholar activities are designed to evolve as students progress from college entry and gateway-course success to hands-on experiences, professional development, and preparation for a STEM career or graduate school.

Mentoring and Community

PQS Scholars become part of a supportive community of students, faculty, alumni, and STEM professionals. Scholars build connections with peers who share similar interests and goals, receive guidance from faculty in their discipline, and develop relationships with alumni and professionals who can offer perspective on research, STEM careers, and graduate school.

Monthly PQS Scholar Seminars bring scholars together to explore research and internship opportunities, develop academic and professional skills, connect with STEM professionals, and prepare for careers and graduate school.

Academic Support

PQS Scholars receive academic support designed to help them succeed in challenging STEM courses, build strong study habits, and stay on track toward graduation. Support may include:

  • Supplemental Instruction and tutoring in gateway courses
  • Peer study groups and collaborative learning
  • Academic and degree planning
  • Strategies for succeeding in STEM coursework

Research and Internship Experiences

PQS Scholars have opportunities to put what they are learning into practice through research, internships, field experiences, and other hands-on experiences related to their interests and career goals. Scholars receive guidance in exploring opportunities, connecting with faculty and professionals, and preparing competitive applications.

Financial support is available for eligible research, internship, and field experiences, helping scholars pursue opportunities that build experience and prepare them for what comes next.

Conferences and Professional Engagement

PQS Scholars have opportunities to attend regional and national professional conferences, where they can present their research, connect with professionals in their fields, and explore career and graduate-school opportunities.

Travel support is available for eligible conference participation, helping scholars share their work and engage with the broader STEM community.

Career and Graduate-School Preparation

PQS Scholars begin exploring what comes next early in the program and receive increasing support as they move toward graduation. Scholars explore STEM career and graduate-school pathways, build professional connections, and develop the skills and materials needed to take their next step.

Support includes career and graduate-school exploration, resume and application development, interview preparation, professional networking, and guidance through the job or graduate-school application process.

About the Program

About the PQS Scholars Program

The PQS Scholars Program combines need-based scholarships with academic support, mentoring, and career development to help students succeed in the physical and quantitative sciences at Marshall University. The program is designed to support students from entry into college through degree completion and preparation for STEM careers or graduate study.

Physical and Quantitative Sciences at Marshall

The physical and quantitative sciences (PQS) bring together disciplines that use scientific, mathematical, and computational approaches to understand and solve problems. At Marshall University, eligible PQS majors include chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics, and statistics.

National Science Foundation Support

The PQS Scholars Program is supported by the National Science Foundation through the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program (Award #2619971). The program will support three cohorts of PQS Scholars at Marshall University.

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Applications for Fall 2027

Applications for the first cohort of PQS Scholars will open in January 2027 for students entering Marshall University in Fall 2027.

The application link will be posted here when applications open.

Before You Apply

Before applying, prospective scholars should:

  • Apply for admission to Marshall University
  • Review the PQS Scholars eligibility requirements
  • Plan to pursue an eligible PQS major: chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics, or statistics
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Application Materials

The PQS Scholars application will include:

  • An unofficial transcript
  • Short-answer responses about your academic interests, experiences, and goals
Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed holistically by the PQS Scholars project leadership team. Academic preparation will be considered in the context of each applicant’s educational opportunities and experiences. Lack of access to AP, dual-credit, or upper-level courses will not disadvantage otherwise academically talented applicants.

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.

Meet the Team

The PQS Scholars Program is led by faculty from across Marshall University’s College of Science who bring expertise in student success, mentoring, research, and career preparation.
Dr. Anna Mummert
Principal Investigator and Project Director
Dr. Mummert is Associate Dean of the College of Science and Professor of Mathematics. As Principal Investigator, she leads the PQS Scholars Program, overseeing recruitment, scholar selection, scholarships, program implementation, research and evaluation.
Dr. David D. Brink-Roby
Co-Principal Investigator for Cohort Development and Engagement
Dr. Brink-Roby is Assistant Professor of Geology in Natural Resources and Earth Sciences. He leads cohort development and engagement for the PQS Scholars Program, helping scholars build connections and coordinating activities that foster a supportive community.
Dr. Sean P. McBride
Co-Principal Investigator for Recruitment and Selection
Dr. McBride is Associate Professor of Physics in the Department of Mathematics and Physics. He leads recruitment and selection efforts for the PQS Scholars Program, helping identify and recruit prospective scholars and coordinating the application and selection process.
Dr. Laura McCunn
Co-Principal Investigator for Mentoring and Academic Support
Dr. McCunn is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry. She leads mentoring and academic support for the PQS Scholars Program, helping coordinate faculty and peer mentoring and academic resources that support scholars’ success and progress toward their degrees.
Dr. Shannon Miller-Mace
Co-Principal Investigator for Knowledge Generation and Dissemination
Dr. Miller-Mace is Assistant Professor of Mathematics. She leads knowledge generation and dissemination for the PQS Scholars Program, guiding research activities and sharing findings and lessons with the broader STEM education community.
Dr. Kelly Bradley
External Evaluation Team Lead
The external evaluation of the PQS Scholars Program will be conducted by the COEPD Evaluation & Assessment Collaborative, led by Dean Kelly Bradley.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2619971. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.