National Cooperative Fisheries Scholarship Program

The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey – Biological Resources Division (USGS-BRD) are offering competitive 4-year full undergraduate scholarships to qualified high school seniors. Qualified community college students are eligible for 2-year scholarships.  Transfer students from other 4-year colleges also can be considered for prorated portions of scholarships dependent on grades and other qualifications.  Selected students will be part of the UAPB-USGS National Cooperative Fisheries Scholarship (NCFS) program, the goal of which is to train culturally diverse students for careers in fisheries biology and natural resources management and conservation. 

THE UNIVERSITY

UAPB is an 1890 Land-Grant Institution with teaching, research, and Extension responsibilities in agriculture, aquaculture, and natural fisheries.  Approximately 85% of the undergraduate student body is African-American, providing a rich cultural environment.  Today, UAPB has approximately 3,200 students and offers more than 700 individual courses, 42 bachelor’s degree programs, four master’s degree programs, and two associate degree programs.  UAPB is a multi-cultural institution and one of the 104 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. Founded in 1873 as Branch Normal College, it is the second oldest public institution in the state.  Social and recreational activities on campus are varied and numerous, including Division I NCAA intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, national fraternities and sororities, regular guest speakers, movies, dances, and various student organizations.

THE CITY

The campus is located in Pine Bluff, a city of 50,000 residents located 40 miles south of Little Rock and 125 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee.  City attractions include the Pine Bluff Convention Center, Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, University Museum and Cultural Center, the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, the Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, Regional Athletic Sports Complex, The Pines Mall, Arkansas Railroad Museum, numerous parks, festivals, and other recreational facilities.  Lake Saracen, Bayou Bartholomew, and the Arkansas River offer local fishing and water recreation opportunities.  In addition, the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, White River National Wildlife Refuge, and Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge are all located within 90 minutes of campus.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence at UAPB was created in 1988. It is an academic, research, and Extension center dedicated to the development and transfer of timely and problem-solving information. The primary beneficiaries of the Center are the region’s aquaculture producers, aquaculture support industries, natural resource managers, outdoors recreational users, and students. The department offers a B.Sc. degree in Fisheries Biology and a M.Sc. degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries. In addition, the department is in the final stages of approval to begin offering Ph.D. degrees in Aquaculture/Fisheries.  Undergraduate enrollment has grown rapidly in recent years.  Many undergraduate students gain hands-on professional experience by working on various aquaculture and fisheries research projects conducted by faculty and other university scientists.  If qualified, students frequently spend summers working in off-campus internships with state and federal natural resource agencies or at aquaculture facilities.  Past scholars have interned in locations as diverse as Alaska and Puerto Rico. 

THE SCHOLARSHIP

NCFS scholarships are nationally competitive and include tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, and textbooks.  Travel to professional meetings is supported as much as possible. Scholarships are available for four (4) consecutive years, or eight (8) consecutive semesters, and are valued at approximately $45,000.  Applicants must have a very strong desire to work in the field of fisheries or natural resource management, and be willing to intern during summers with faculty or state/federal agencies.

Scholarship Application Requirements

• Graduating high school senior or eligible transfer student from another 2-year or 4-year college
• Demonstration of high academic achievement
• Official school transcripts
• Official ACT or SAT  scores
• Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives
• Demonstrated desire to work in the field of fisheries and/or natural resources    conservation and management
• Willingness to travel and work during summers with faculty or other     professional mentors
• Required to perform uncompensated work with faculty mentors or other designated individuals for 4 hours per week during the school year 
• Completed application forms received at UAPB by deadline 
• Other terms and conditions apply 

All applications will be reviewed by a committee and interviews will be arranged for scholarship finalists.  Scholarship selection will be based upon application requirements.  Awards are typically made by April 15 of each year. 

TO APPLY CONTACT:             

Ms. Denise Haynes
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Mail Slot 4912
Pine Bluff, AR 71601

Phone: (870) 575-8107 (Haynes),
or  8968 (Main departmental number)

Fax: (870) 575-4637

E-Mail: dhaynes@uaex.edu

Or visit our webpage at: www.uaex.edu/aqfi/

You can view the application here: www.uaex.edu/aqfi/undergrad/scholarships/pdf/NCFS_Scholarship_Application_form_2012.pdf

Be sure to mention SACNAS when applying to this opportunity!