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JANUARY 2024

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

Your college applications are submitted and decisions are coming in. Now it’s time to figure out how to pay for your college education. It’s no secret that college costs are high, but there are ways to reduce your bottom line. Here are some important steps to finding funds for college.

 

FAFSA First

When applying for financial aid, there’s no shortage of forms to complete. Be sure you put the , or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, at the top of the pile. The FAFSA asks for information about your financial situation as well as your parents' or guardians' finances, so you’ll want to have tax and asset information handy. Part of the reason the FAFSA is so important is because in addition to potentially accessing federal aid, many colleges and states also use the form to determine awards from their own aid programs. Typically, the FAFSA becomes available in October; however, this year it was delayed until late December due to an overhaul of the form. That means if you’re applying for financial aid for the 2024–2025 academic year, you should file the form as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on any possible funds. Once you submit your form, keep an eye on your email in case more information is requested. And don’t forget: the FAFSA must be filed each academic year you’re seeking aid.

 

 

ON TOPIC

 

ON TOPIC

Financial Aid Glossary

The college financial aid process is complicated. At times it can feel like you're swimming in a sea of unfamiliar jargon. We've pulled some key financial aid terms and urge you to take some time to study them. Understanding the meaning of these terms will help you go through the financial aid process more confidently. 

 

Cost of Attendance: An annual estimate of educational expenses you will incur while attending a particular college or university. The estimate is made up of two types of direct and indirect costs. 

 

Direct Costs: Items that will appear on your university bill, including tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board.

 

Indirect Costs: Expenses that will not appear on your university bill but are estimated costs associated with attending college. These costs include books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and off-campus housing and food.

 

Scholarships and Grants: Gift aid awarded to the student on the basis of need or merit by the university, state or federal government, or a private source. These awards do not need to be repaid.

 

 

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CAREER CORNER

 

To help you on your journey to determine a career pathway, each month we'll highlight one STEM profession and how you might use that career to support and build your tribal community after earning your degree. Many career paths are worth exploring — even those you've never heard about. Keep an open mind as you learn about various options within STEM, and discover your path to opportunity.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Environmental science is a growing field. Our planet comes under threats from pollution, global warming, mass extinctions, and limited resources. It is an interdisciplinary academic field. Students will typically take classes in math, biology, chemistry, geology, ecology, and other academic areas. Environmental science is an excellent choice for students interested in applying the analytical skills to large-scale problems affecting our world.

 

What they do:

Conducts research or performs investigations to identify, abate, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards that affect the environment or the population’s health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and others.

 

A person in this career:

  • Reviews and implements environmental technical standards, guideline policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
  • Provides scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
  • Collects, synthesizes, analyzes, manages, and reports environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
  • Communicates scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
  • Provides advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
  • Prepares charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on environmental relevance of the data.
  • Conducts environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
  • Monitors effects of population or land degradation and recommends means of prevention or control.
  • Analyzes data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.

 

How can I use this type of career to help my community?

  • Serve as the Chief Environmental Liaison for a tribal nation in all matters related to the protection and care of tribal lands.
  • Provide expertise and advice in the development of policies and strategies affecting tribal lands.

 

GOING PLACES WITH AISES

SCHOLARSHIPS

$2,500 for the academic year for incoming college freshman students. Apply by April 30.

 

$1,000 for the academic year for undergraduates; $2,000 for the academic year for graduate students pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Apply by April 30.

 

$5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year for incoming freshman or sophomore. Apply by April 30.

 

$5,000 for the academic year for undergraduate and graduate students studying in particular STEM fields. Apply by April 30.

 

$2,500 for the academic year for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in certain disciplines. Apply by April 30.

 

$2,500 per academic year (up to four years) for American Indian high school seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA who reside in one of the 23 states serviced by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation and its affiliated companies. Apply by April 30.

 

$5,000 per academic year (must re-apply) for students majoring in information technology, engineering, and earth science. Apply by April 30.

 

$2,000 for the academic year for undergraduate Indigenous students pursuing a STEM or planning degree in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, or Florida. Apply by April 30.

 

Applicants who are participating in fieldwork or research in a geoscience field will be prioritized, but all those majoring in geosciences are encouraged to apply. Apply by April 30.

 

$2,000 for the academic year for undergraduate students; $3,000 for the academic year for graduate students. Apply by April 30. 

 

$2,500 for the academic year for undergraduate and graduate student. Apply by April 30.

 

$5,000–$10,000 for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate STEM degree. Apply by April 30.

 

$4,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year for a full-time student pursuing specific STEM degrees. Apply by April 30.

 

$1,500 scholarship for students pursuing a vocational certificate or diploma at an accredited institution.

 

$5,000 per academic year for Indigenous students interested in an aerospace career who are pursuing a degree in the state of Washington. Students with dependent children will receive preference. Apply by April 30.

 

$6,500 annually for up to two years distributed in two installments each year; $7,000 allotment for mechanical tools. Apply by April 30.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 3–5, San Antonio, Texas

 

February 29–March 2, Vancouver, B.C.

 

Region 1: University of Alaska-Fairbanks,

April 12–13

Region 2: University of California – Irvine, Dates TBD

Region 3: University of Arizona, March 22–23

Region 4: Oklahoma State University, April 5–6

Region 5: University of Saskatchewan,

March 14–16

Region 6: Cornell University, March 22–23

Region 7: NASA Langley, April 4–6 (April 4–5 at NASA Langley; April 6 location TBD) Host Chapter: Virginia Tech

STUDENT RESOURCES

ONLINE RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

PK–12 STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Boston Scientific Corp – Marlborough, Mass.

Be placed on an IT team with a specific outcome to achieve during the 12-week program. Practice applying project management, product management, user experience, business analysis, software testing, software engineering skills to real business problems.

 

Jeannette Rankin Foundation – Remote

Jeannette Rankin Foundation's application cycle is happening now. There are two routes to consider for applying: The Jeanette Rankin National Scholar Grant or the Emerge Scholar Grant. The National Scholar Grant is open to students nation-wide who are 35 and older and meet the complete eligibility requirements. The Emerge Scholar Grant is open to Montana and Georgia residents over the age of 25 who meet the additional eligibility requirements. Apply by Feb. 16. 

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Earthscope – Remote

OpenTopography is recruiting at least one Data Science intern this summer via the EarthScope Student Careers Internship Program. The intern(s) will work with the OpenTopography team to ingest and process data, and/or to develop workflows and services related to processing, analysis, and visualization of topographic data. Apply by Feb. 15.

 

Geological Society of America (GSA) – Nationwide

This program offers paid short-term geoscience opportunities in some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world. Topic areas include geology, hydrology, paleontology, mapping and GIS, minerals, soils, glaciology, geohazards, karst, education, and interpretation.

 

NASA – Moffett Field, Calif.

This project is a virtual internship to assist NASA’s Indigenous Peoples Initiative (IPI) in developing their communication outreach. The IPI works to build relationships between NASA and Indigenous communities in the area of satellite-based Earth Observations (EO) to better understand the current use, needs, and potential applications. Register by Feb. 16.

 

National Park Service – Nationwide

Discover meaningful, career-building experiences that cultivate your potential and connection with America’s national parks.

 

Santa Fe Institute – Santa Fe, N.M.

The Santa Fe Institute (SFI) Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) program is a 10-week residential experience in complex systems science. Students can select from a menu of projects, or develop a project in collaboration with their mentor(s) and as a member of the supportive UCR community.

 

GRADUATE/POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES

Geological Society of America (GSA) – Nationwide

Receive up to $2,500 to support your graduate thesis research in any branch of the geosciences.

 

The AGeS-Grad program is a collaborative strategy for supporting community access to geochronology data and expertise. This micro-funding opportunity enables graduate students to develop the scientific rationale for projects involving geochronology and then provides them with hands-on experience acquiring data in labs, all while being mentored by geochronologists.

 

NASA – New York, N.Y.

The intern will analyze simulations of coupled climate-carbon-fire dynamics in the NASA GISS ModelE. The work will involve analysis of any of the following: fire climatology, atmospheric CO2, atmospheric aerosols, surface irradiance, vegetation and soil CO2 fluxes, ocean biogeochemistry, and effects of volcanic eruption.

 

National Park Service – West Glacier, Mont.

The CYO Intern will be involved in all aspects of managing Glacier’s volunteer program, with an emphasis on helping facilitate both our adult and youth service groups. The selected individual will regularly engage youth and seniors in their volunteer and education program duties.

 

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board – Portland, Ore.

The Tribal Researchers’ Cancer Control Fellowship Program (TRCCFP) will be held in person at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). Accepted fellows will attend a two-week summer training in June 2024 and a one-week follow-up training in the fall.

 
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Paths to Opportunities and Winds of Change are published exclusively by AISES.

AISES works to substantially increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM studies and careers.

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