APPLICATIONS FOR NEW ECONOMY TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

          HARRISBURG, May 22– According to State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Phila. /Montgomery), the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is now accepting applications for the New Economy Technology Scholarship (NETS) program for the 2007-08 academic year.

          “Many young students have chosen to enter a science or technology field of study,” Washington said.  “This valuable scholarship can be a great help to those students, as well as helping Pennsylvania stay on the cutting edge of the science and technology industries by producing great minds for the future.”

          The application filing deadline for first-time applicants for the 2007-08 academic year is Dec. 31. First-time applicants 18 years or older can complete their NETS application online.

          “These loans are available on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Washington said.  “Students should not delay in applying.”      

          The program, administered by PHEAA, consists of two different scholarships.

          The SciTech Scholarship provides up to $3,000 per academic year to Pennsylvania residents who are enrolled full time in approved science or technoloy baccalaureate degree programs, for a maximum of three years, with certain exceptions for approved five-year degree programs.

          To qualify for the SciTech Scholarship, a student must be at least a sophomore enrolled at a Pennsylvania public or private college or university, must demonstrate a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 annually for continued eligibility.

          SciTech Scholarship recipients must complete an approved internship or relevant work experience in a field directly related to their major with a company that has operations in Pennsylvania prior to completing their program.

          The Technology Scholarship provides up to $1,000 per academic year to Pennsylvania high school graduates who attend a postsecondary school, but do not choose to pursue a four-year degree. The scholarship will be for a maximum of two years, or up to three years in certain cases.

          To qualify for the Technology Scholarship, a student must be a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an approved science or technology program at a two- or four-year college or licensed technical institute within Pennsylvania. Part-time students may be eligible.

          While there is no minimum GPA requirement at the time of application for the Technology Scholarship, a recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 annually for continued eligibility.

          Recipients of SciTech Scholarship and the Technology Scholarship must agree to work full time in Pennsylvania for one year for each year that a scholarship is received or the scholarship converts to a loan that is repayable with interest.