Eligibility and application instructions

Eligibility Requirements

- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or U.S. Permanent Resident.
- Will be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) at UWA.
- Major in one of the biological and environmental sciences offerings.
- Demonstrate academic potential or ability (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0). *
- Standardized test scores, ACT or SAT (22 minimum or 1000 minimum, respectively).*
- Demonstrate financial need, defined for undergraduate students by the U.S. Department of Education guidelines for need-based federal financial aid.
- Scholarship renewal is based on meeting the above requirements and achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA.

*Will consider slightly lower scores

Application process

Students must first complete their application for admission to the University of West Alabama for the fall of 2024 with FAFSA.

To apply to be a UWA BOSS II Scholar, please complete and submit the online application form.

The complete application should be received as early as possible for fall admission to be considered for the BOSS II scholarship. As application decisions are made on a rolling basis, completing and submitting applications as early as possible is advisable. For full consideration, the application and letter of recommendation must be received by April 15, 2024.

Applicants will be notified of the decision of their selection no later than May 31, 2024.

ELIGIBLE MAJORS FOR UWA BOSS II SCHOLARSHIP

Cell and Molecular Biology (Medical Track)

This track is suited for those interested in admission to medical, dental, veterinary, dentistry, physical therapy, physician assistant, or optometry fields, graduate schools and many other fields.

Biology Major

This track is well suited for students whose interests lie within more than one field, as they can major in biology and have a minor in disciplines such as Chemistry, Psychology, Physical Education, and other minors.

Biology Major: Teacher Certification

This major is paired with teacher certification courses to provide the graduate for employment as a biology teacher in Alabama secondary schools.

Environmental Sciences Comprehensive or Marine Biology Comprehensive

Environmental Science and Marine Biology Majors are designed to prepare students for jobs as lab/field technicians, environmental scientists, or marine biologists or educators.

Conservation and Field Biology Major

This major is ideal for those seeking employment in environmental or governmental agencies or those who wish to pursue graduate study in conservation-related fields.

Application Instructions

- 1. A completed UWA BOSS II Scholar’s online application.
  2. A personal statement of 250 – 300 words describing why you should be chosen for the BOSS II scholarship. Click here for tips and notes to help with your essay.
  3. Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a teacher who knows the student well and can assess his/her potential for success in biology, should be emailed directly to mmorsy@uwa.edu from recommenders. Recommend an applicant here.
  4. Additionally, the UWA Offices of admission and Financial Aid must have your high school transcripts with ACT and SAT scores, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results by the scholarship deadline.
  Deadline to Apply
- The complete application should be received as early as possible for fall
  admission to be considered for the BOSS II scholarship. As application
  decisions are made on a rolling basis, completing and submitting applications
  as early as possible is advisable. For full consideration, the application and
  letter of recommendation must be received by April 15, 2024.
  
  Applicants will be notified of the decision of their selection no later than May 31, 2024.