Grant Info for the MNRT/NRT Programs

Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) OEC Grant Application

• Current status: Closed. The spring 2026 MNRT application for funding will open on July 15, 2025 and close on September 15, 2025.

  The Spring 2026 grant will open on July 15, 2025.

  • How to Apply for Grant Funding
    1. Write an essay response to the following prompt:
       • Essay prompt: In approximately 750 to 1000 words, describe why you want to participate in this program, why you are interested in the program, what interests you about mariculture and/or marine science, and how you see this program helping you in the future.
    2. Upload your essay response and your most recent unofficial transcripts with your unweighted GPA in our Google Form below.
    3. Complete your ALEKS Math Placement. Students must complete their ALEKS math placement by the grant application deadline to be considered for grant funding. If you have questions about the math placement testing or whether your previous UAA math prerequisites or math transfer credits count towards MATH A104 or STAT A200, please get in touch with your Academic Advisor, Bernie Irish.
  • Important Grant Information

    PWSC offers limited grant funding to cover tuition, fees, and housing for the Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC). Please take care when responding to the grant application essay prompt, as your essay will play a key role in determining funding recipients.

    The MNRT OEC program is available exclusively during the spring semester.

    Important Program Details

    • The program has limited seats within the spring cohort.
    • Grant Funding Availability: Grant funding is available through 2026, with limited spots per semester. Students who are denied or waitlisted may have the opportunity to reapply in future semesters.
    • Grade Requirement: Grant funding applies only to courses where a grade of C or higher is earned. Students are responsible for the cost of any courses in which they receive a grade of D, F, W (withdrawal), or I (incomplete), as well as for any remedial courses.
    • Full-Time Status Requirement: Students must enroll in at least 12 PWSC credits within the MNRT program (full-time student status) to qualify for grant-funded on-campus housing.
    • Math Course Eligibility: Grant funding covers only program-specific math courses. Students who do not meet placement requirements for MATH A104 Technical Mathematics or STAT A200 Elementary Statistics must complete additional math courses to fulfill OEC graduation requirements.
    • Program Completion: Completing the OEC program may require more than one semester, depending on individual math placement. Course-specific grant funding may be available in subsequent semesters for students who need additional time.
    • Math Placement Testing: Students can retake the ALEKS Math Placement Test up to five times to improve their placement and qualify for grant funding.

    • Federal Financial Aid Eligibility: Please note that students must be admitted to either PWSC’s Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science in Technology program to qualify for federal financial aid. The MNRT OEC is not eligible for federal financial aid, which includes the Pell Grant and federal student loans.

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Natural Resources Technician (NRT) OEC Grant Application

• Current status: Closed. The fall 2026 application for funding will open on January 7, 2026 and close on February 13, 2026.

Closed

• How to Apply for Grant Funding

  How to Apply

  1. 1. Write an essay response to the following prompt: In approximately 750 to 1000 words, describe why you want to participate in this program, why you are interested in the program, what interests you about natural resources and/or environmental science, and how you see this program helping you in the future.
     2. Upload your essay response, two letters of recommendation from someone who can speak to your academic or professional abilities, and your most recent unofficial transcripts with your unweighted GPA.
        • If your reference prefers to send the letter of recommendation directly to us, please have them email their letter to pwsc.registration@alaska.edu.
• Important Grant Information

  PWSC offers limited grant funding to cover tuition, fees, and housing for the Natural Resources Technician (NRT) Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC). Please take care when responding to the grant application essay prompt, as your essay will play a key role in determining funding recipients.

  The NRT OEC program is available exclusively during the fall semester.

  Important Program Details

  • The program has limited seats within the fall cohort.
  • Grant Funding Availability: Grant funding is available through 2026 but is limited each semester. Students who are denied or waitlisted may have additional opportunities to apply in future semesters.
  • Grade Requirements for Grant Funding: Funding applies only to courses where a grade of C or higher is earned. Students are responsible for the cost of any courses in which they receive a grade of D, F, W (withdrawal), or I (incomplete), as well as for any remedial courses.
  • Full-Time Status Requirement: To qualify for grant-funded on-campus housing, students must enroll in at least 12 PWSC credits (full-time student status) within the NRT program.
  • Course Requirements: The NRT OEC requires completion of a 100-level writing course or a communication course. Students without prior college-level coursework or qualifying SAT or ACT score in these areas will need to complete placement testing before registration. Placement testing is not required before the grant application deadline.
  • Federal Financial Aid Eligibility: Please note that students must be admitted to either PWSC’s Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science in Technology program to qualify for federal financial aid. The NRT OEC is not eligible for federal financial aid, which includes the Pell Grant and federal student loans.