Histology majors can obtain money for school through programs offered by professional organizations, their colleges or universities or state or federal programs. Certain programs offers grants specifically for histology majors, while others extend eligibility to all biology majors. Certain student aid programs may require students to attend participating schools or limit candidates based on past experience in histology. Histology education funding varies and may offer one-time awards or renewable grants.
Federal Programs
A limited number of federal programs offer student aid specifically for students pursuing certain types of careers. For instance, the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, typically referred to as the National Smart Grant, offers funding for students pursuing degrees in engineering, technology, mathematics, foreign language and physical sciences, including histology and cellular biology. Students can apply for the Smart Grant during their junior and senior years and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify. Candidates must also qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and can receive Smart Grant funding along with Pell Grant awards. As of July 2011, the Smart Grant program pays a maximum of $4,000 per school year.
State-Sponsored Grants
Certain state governments sponsor scholarship programs for which science majors may qualify. For example, the Ohio Board of Regents sponsors the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program, which offers student aid for individuals pursuing coursework in science, mathematics, engineering, technology and medicine. The board selects certain Ohio postsecondary institutions to participate in the COF program, and each school administers its own scholarships. Stark State College receives COF funding and offers scholarships to students enrolled in its engineering and biotechnology programs. As of July 2011, the college's COF scholarship program requires candidates to have at least a 2.5 GPA and pays up to $2,000 per school year.
Professional Organization Programs
Professional organizations often administer scholarships for students pursuing careers in their particular field of interest. The National Society for Histotechnology, for example, administers multiple scholarship programs for college students enrolled in histology coursework. NSH scholarships offer awards of $1,000 as of July 2011, which can help students pay for tuition, textbooks and school fees. The organization sponsors its own scholarship programs and administers others sponsored by corporations such as Cardinal Health. The NSH offers its scholarships to students pursuing advanced coursework in histotechnology and individuals preparing to take their histotechnology certification test.
College Programs
Colleges that offer histology degrees may administer scholarships for their students. The Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology at Iowa State University offers multiple financial aid programs for its students, including the Darlene and Melvin Larsen Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Scholarship. The Larsen program offers merit-based funding to undergraduate students enrolled in cell biology coursework and pays up to $1,000 per school year, as of July 2011. Iowa State's Sophomore Success Scholarship program extends eligibility to all sophomore-level biology majors and pays up to $1,000 per academic year. Only students who have completed a minimum of 45 credits at Iowa State, and who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, can qualify for the Sophomore Success program.
Tags: July 2011, Smart Grant, students pursuing, Iowa State, scholarship programs, scholarships students, school year
