GCRL Seeks Applicants to Receive Aid for Summer Field Program

May 16, 2005

OCEAN SPRINGS – College students interested in the marine environment and coastal issues are invited to apply for financial aid for The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's 2005 summer field program.

The GCRL field program emphasizes hands-on experiences on boats, beaches and barrier islands. Credits earned are transferred to students' home colleges or universities. Choices range from two to 12 weeks of courses, and students may earn up to 12 hours credit.

One scholarship and up to 20 grants are available for undergraduate students. Both types of financial aid require the applicant to be enrolled in the GCRL summer field program. A $1,000 scholarship from the Bennie Rohr Scholarship Fund will be awarded to a coast student enrolled in the summer program. To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be a resident of Hancock, Harrison or Jackson counties and must be majoring in biology. Rohr scholarship recipients will be announced by mid-term, and the award will be applied to the student's account.

The grants are available to Mississippi residents who have been identified by their college or university as a minority and who enroll in the summer field program. Mississippi students who attend college out of state are also eligible. The minority grant is for up to $2,050 awarded upon completion of a four-, five- or 10-week program.

"We are accepting registration for courses and applications for both the scholarship and the grants now," said Dawne Hard, GCRL summer program coordinator. "Call me for help in getting on the fast track for enrolling and submitting your application."

For more information visit www.usm.edu/gcrl and click on GCRL Summer Field Program