SMART Scholarship Program Ed Bujan Liaison SMART Program
SMART Scholarship Program Ed Bujan Liaison, SMART Program http: //www. asee. org/smart/
Underlying Questions • How can the Department of Defense (Do. D) recruit top science and technology (S&T) students? • How can the Do. D better attract students in specific fields to pursue advanced degrees? • How can the Do. D fill holes in a workforce that has: – 30% eligible for retirement within 5 years; – 60% eligible within next 10 years? 2
Overview • What is SMART? • Participant Benefits • The SMART Process • Other Considerations 3
What is SMART? • SMART is a Do. D workforce development program conveniently disguised as a scholarship • The goals of SMART: – Provide funding to allow Participants to focus on school – Provide Participants with experience and exposure to Do. D facilities and the Do. D culture prior to graduation – Start the process that will produce the next S&T leaders • American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) – Manages the application process for SMART – Provides the mechanism for Participant payments
Participant Benefits • • Full tuition and fees (up to five years) for AA, BS, MS, and Ph. D degrees Annual cash award from $25, 000 to $41, 800 Security clearance (SECRET) Summer internships and travel expenses An experienced Mentor Book and health insurance allowance Post-graduation employment Service Commitment: One-Year of Work for Each Academic Year Funded
The SMART Process 15 Aug – 15 Dec January Mar - May July Application Selection Awards Orientation Summer/Fall 10 – 12 Weeks Aug - May Graduation Internship School Within 30 days Hiring
Application Process • Application Process – Web-based (http: //www. asee. org/fellowships/smart/) – Open season is August 15 through December 15 • Applicant Requirements – United States citizen/18 years of age – Status as a sophomore or beyond at award – Ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance – Minimum of a 3. 0 cumulative GPA (on a 4. 0 scale) – Complete 10 -12 week summer internships – Current enrollment or have taken GRE – Approved field of study with an interest in research 7
Approved Fields of Study • • • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Biosciences Chemical Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Science Electrical Engineering Geosciences Information Sciences § § § § § Materials Science and Engineering Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture Nuclear Engineering Oceanography Operations Research Physics Industrial and Systems Engineering We will support interdisciplinary programs that overlap these fields 8
Application Highlights • • Statement of Educational and Professional Goals – Why should we pick you? – What are you going to do for the Do. D? Academic Achievement – Transcripts from all academic institutions – Average GPA for 2009 Participants is 3. 73 2 References – Signed on letterhead – The higher the position of your reference…the better Desired facilities – Do your homework…tell us where you want to go – Facility desires can be updated any time prior to selection
Selection Process • SMART Selection Panel meets in late January – Representatives from Do. D and Academia – Panel selects the top 50% – Top 50% are submitted to the Do. D facilities • Do. D facility representatives select the Participants – They will conduct interviews (call, VTC, face-to-face, etc. ) – Selections based on degree, field of study, school, etc. • Awards are made to those selected by the Do. D facilities in April
Participating Do. D Facilities Army, Air Force, Navy, DIA, DISA, DMEA, DMDC, DTRA, NSA, NGA, NRO
Orientation to Hiring • • Orientation – July 15 through July 21 in Monterey, CA – Funded by SMART – mandatory attendance Academic Performance/Requirements – Must maintain above a 3. 0 GPA – Submit transcripts and an annual educational work plan Internships – Participate in annual summer internships – 10 to 12 weeks in length Graduation and Hiring – Begin employment within 30 days of graduation – One for one service commitment
Additional Information • Web site: http: //www. asee. org/fellowships/smart/ – Application is on-line – General program information • Email: smart@asee. org – Specific questions regarding your personal situation – Ask anything… • Ed Bujan, Program Liaison – Edwin. bujan. ctr@randolph. af. mil – 210 -565 -1775 13
QUESTIONS?
AF Class of 2009
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