Pathways to Academic Student Success for Biology Majors: PASS is the title of NSF-funded scholarship program at PSC for academically promising students majoring in Biology with unmet financial need as determined via their FAFSA.
PASS is intended for full-time Biology majors who are pursuing an Associate degree with plans to transfer to a four-year college in a biology-related program. Part-time students (6+ on campus credits) and transfer students are also eligible for PASS.
Many students use biology as a pathway to a variety of biology-related careers including Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, Laboratory Technicians for quality control labs within industry such as oil, gas and concrete; Teachers; Laboratory Assistants in research laboratories such as cancer research, vaccine development, women’s and children’s health; Laboratory Assistants in environmental testing labs to assure compliance; Forensic Analysts; Microbiologists; and, Epidemiologists, to name a few.
Do I Qualify?
PASS Scholarship Recipients:
- Must be a domestic student with unmet financial need as determined via FAFSA.
- Must have high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
- Must enroll in at least six (6) campus-based credit hours pursuing an AA Biology degree (part-time attenders could be eligible for lower awards for longer periods).
- PASS Team will review applications as students submit their FAFSA.
- Selected scholars will be notified via USPS and their MiX email on a rolling basis after we receive their FAFSA.
About PASS
PSC’s PASS Scholarship program will contribute to the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention, transfer, and graduation of high-achieving, Biology students with unmet financial need at PSC.
PASS is funded by NSF's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program.
The S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of students who graduate with a STEM-eligible degree and contribute to the American innovation economy with their STEM knowledge. Recognizing that financial aid alone cannot increase retention and graduation in STEM, the program provides awards to institutions of higher education not only to fund curricular scholarships, but also to adapt, implement, and study evidence-based curricular and co-activities that have been shown to be effective in supporting recruitment, retention, transfer, student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM.
PASS faculty and PSC staff will be providing the following free services and evidence-based supports to PASS Scholars, annually:
- A PASS Scholarship that can be renewed up to three years so long as all academic standards are met to remain in good academic standing in the biology program
- A biology faculty member as their academic advisor
- A biology-specific Freshman orientation course
- Information about biology careers through career counseling and advising
- A PSC- based research course and other research opportunities
- Seminars and field trips
- Dedicated tutors in the sciences and math
- FAFSA assistance
- Transfer assistance to four-year colleges and college visits
Who is it For?
PASS Scholars must be domestic students with academic ability, talent or potential with unmet financial need, as determined via FAFSA, who are enrolled in the AA Biology degree program and who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree or biology-related field after graduating from PSC.
Current PSC and transfer students majoring in Biology with unmet financial need are also encouraged to apply.
How it Works
- Your scholarship will be automatically renewed each year so long as you maintain a 2.0 or greater cumulative GPA and continue to be a biology major for up to 6 semesters.
- Students must complete and submit the PASS Scholars Application. *Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Students must complete the FAFSA, annually.
- PASS Team will review applications as students submit their FASFA.
- Selected scholars will be notified via USPS and their MIX email on a rolling basis after we receive their FAFSA.
Scholarship Amounts
The selected PASS Scholars may receive approximately $6,058 annually (the annual award amount ceiling is $10,000).
Questions? Need Help with the Application Process?
Contact:
psc-pass@mail.wvu.edu
Mailing Address:
101 Fort Avenue
Keyser, West Virginia
26726
Office of Enrollment Services:
75 Arnold Street
Keyser, West Virginia
26726
