February 25, 2019
ACS Scholars Program
ACS awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who want to enter the fields of chemistry or chemistry-related fields. Awards of up to $5,000* are given to qualified students. African American, Hispanic, or American Indian high school seniors or college freshman, sophomores, or juniors pursuing a college degree in the chemical sciences or chemical technology are eligible to apply.
Award Amounts
- $2,500 for freshmen
- $3,000 for sophomores
- $5,000 for juniors and seniors
To be considered for a scholarship through the ACS Scholars Program, candidates must:
- Be African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
- Be a full-time student at a high school or accredited college, university, or community college
- Demonstrate high academic achievement in chemistry or science (Grade Point Average 3.0, “B” or better)
- Demonstrate financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) and the Student Aid Report (SAR) form
- Be a graduating high school senior or college freshman, sophomore or junior intending to or already majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically-related science OR intending to or already pursuing a degree in chemical technology
- Be planning a career in the chemical sciences.
The Selection Committee reviews all applications to determine the best overall applicants. The highest-rated students are selected as scholarship recipients.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic record, career objective, financial need, leadership ability, participation in school activities, and community service.
- Official College Transcript or Grade Report
Must be sent in a sealed envelope by the school and must include fall semester grades, otherwise the transcript will not be accepted. (We accept electronic submissions of official transcripts if sent by the Registrar or a transcript clearinghouse only scholars@acs.org)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
At least one recommendation must be provided by faculty member in your field of study; the second recommendation should be from someone who knows you as a student, employee, or volunteer, and who can provide insight into your character, motivation, and ability to successfully complete a rigorous scientific course of study. Students may send original letters sealed by the recommender in an envelope to us by mail. (Recommenders only may email letters to scholars@acs.org)
- Copy of Student Aid Report (SAR)
The SAR is provided to you after you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. We need your SAR for the academic year in which you are applying for the scholarship, not the current year’s SAR. (You may send via mail or email scholars@acs.org)