Announcing the 2006 Student Scholarships
from the Aylesworth Foundation for the
Advancement of Marine Science

A Joint program of the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science, the Old Salt Fishing Club, the Southeastern Fisheries Association and the Florida Sea Grant College Program.

*** Applications Due November 4 , 2005 ***

Ralph and Kitty Aylesworth, long-time members of the Florida fishing industry, established the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Sciences in 1984. They created the foundation to make a long-term investment in the industry which has been so good to them and their family.

The Aylesworths believed that scientific knowledge in marine related areas coupled with decisions based on environmental and conservation factors will prove to be the only way to develop, utilize and manage our renewable marine resources on a long-term basis.

Two types of scholarships are available. The Aylesworth scholarships are available to students in all Florida universities that participate in the Florida Sea Grant College Program. The Old Salt scholarships are restricted to students at the University of South Florida. The Aylesworth Foundation and Florida Sea Grant administer both scholarship programs.

Aylesworth Scholarship

Any person, regardless of race, creed or country of origin, is eligible for an Aylesworth award. Eighty students in ten Florida universities have received scholarships since 1986.

A Foundation appointed screening committee reviews applications and recommends deserving individuals to receive the Aylesworth award. The students may be interested in any academic discipline having direct application in marine science ranging from basic biology and engineering to economics and food science.

The award will be for students and for enrollment at a university or college in Florida that participates in the Florida Sea Grant College Program.

Applications will be solicited and organized by the Florida Sea Grant College Program.

Awards will be presented to students in payments at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters. Florida Sea Grant will assist the Foundation in arranging payments to scholarship recipients.

The award is intended to be a career award. Once selected, a student may continue to receive the award each year as long as satisfactory progress is made toward degree completion as verified by the university or college. Approximate lengths of awards are:

Undergraduate: Two years (beginning junior year). Graduate: Masters Level: Two years; Doctoral Level: three years. The maximum award can be in the amount of 65 percent of the annual official university or college cost of attending that university or college or $4,000 whichever is lower. The Foundation reserves the right to divide each award among several students or make awards of lower amounts. The award recipients will be recognized each year during a public event.

The selection process will have financial need as its principal criterion. In addition, the successful applicant must demonstrate academic merit, leadership, and personal character. Florida residents will receive preference.

In the event a recipient withdraws from the university or college, or fails to maintain the necessary grade point average in the major field of study, or becomes financially capable, that student will not be eligible for additional support under this program. The student’s academic department will be required to verify their eligibility before each payment is made.

Old Salt Marine Biology Scholarship

The Old Salt Fishing Club of Madeira Beach, Florida was formed in 1975 as one result of a partnership between fishermen and the scientific community studying the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico. As their logo proclaims, club members are dedicated to sportfishing with the goals of recreation, science and conservation. Club members voted in 1992 to fund a scholarship with the proceeds of their annual Old Salt Loop Billfish Tournament and from other donations. Thirteen students at USF have received scholarships since 1993. All applicants from USF will be considered for both Old Salt and Aylesworth scholarships.

An Old Salt Fishing Club appointed screening committee will review the applications and recommend deserving individuals to receive the Old Salt award. The Old Salt students may be interested in any academic discipline having direct application in marine science ranging from basic biology and engineering to economics and food science. The Old Salt Fishing Club award will be for students and for enrollment at the University of South Florida.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

No more than two applicants may be submitted from each academic department. Department chairpersons should submit applications through their Sea Grant campus coordinator (or inform them of submission).

Each Application Shall Include:

· Undergraduate and graduate transcripts

· Two page (or less) personal vitae. You must include colleges and/or universities attended, degrees completed and grade point averages. You must include all contact information, birth date and social security number. You may include such items as research experience, volunteer experience, work experience, honors and skills. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please provide immigration status.

· Provide the following information:

· Indicate if you are an undergraduate, MS or Ph.D. candidate at the beginning of the spring semester (January 2006)

· Expected graduation date (semester and year)

· Major or Academic Department

· University

· Provide the following family information:

· Name of parents or guardians

· Address

· Father’s occupation

· Mother’s occupation

· Hometown newspaper

· Number of children in your family. Ages of children. Number of children to be in college next year, including yourself.

· On a separate page (one page or less) indicate why you are interested in pursuing your marine or coastal related academic program. State your career goals and your intended field of work upon completion of your degree.

· Provide the following financial information. Financial need is a requirement for this scholarship. You may be asked to verify this information with supporting documents. (This form works ONLY with Internet Explorer.)

· Please include this statement at the end of the application followed by the date and your signature.

I certify that all information given on this application is true,
correct and complete to the best of my knowledge.

· Provide two letters of recommendation which may accompany this application or be sent separately. Suggested persons whom you might ask include university major professor or counselor, university club advisors, a former employer, etc.

YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE FOR REVIEW UNTIL ALL REQUESTED MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED.

DEADLINES

Applications for this award period must be received by 4:00 p.m., November 4, 2005. Awards will be made at the beginning of the spring 2006 semester. Send applications to:

JAMES C. CATO, DIRECTOR
FLORIDA SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
P O BOX 110400
GAINESVILLE, FL 32611-0400
352.392.5870
Fax: 352.392.5113

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