Grant Info for the MNRT/NRT Programs

Grant Eligibility 

Grant funding covers tuition and fees for courses required by the Semester on the Sound programs, as well as student housing. To qualify for grant funding, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Grant funding is contingent on academic performance. Funding will only cover courses where a grade of C or higher is achieved. If a student earns a grade of D, F, W, or I, the student will be responsible for covering the remaining balance for those courses. PWSC housing is covered for full-time students (enrolled in 12 or more credits) in the program.

Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) OEC Grant Application

  • Current status: Closed. Spring 2026 recipients have been notified! Spring 2026 is our last semester of funding for the Marine Natural Resources Technician OEC.

 

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. This is the last semester of grant funding for the Natural Resources Technician OEC.

Closed

  • How to Apply for Grant Funding

    How to Apply

    1. Apply for admission to the Associate of Applied Science in Technology
      • The application for the Occupational Endorsement Certificate in Natural Resources Technician is currently closed and will only reopen after the grant application is closed. Students selected for the grant will receive instructions on how to apply to the NRT program after the grant notification deadline.
      • If you will still be in high school during the Fall 2026 semester, you do not need to complete an admissions application for the Associate of Applied Science in Technology. You will receive a separate enrollment packet instead. Contact PWSC Registration at pwsc.registration@alaska.edu or call 907-834-1600 for assistance with setting up your University of Alaska account.
    2. 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 natural resources and/or environmental science, and how you see this program helping you in the future.
    3. Two Letters of Recommendation
      • Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one reference should come from someone who can attest to your professionalism and work ethic, such as a teacher, employer, mentor, or another professional. This letter does not need to be academic, but it should come from someone in a position to evaluate your skills, responsibility, or character in a professional or educational context.
      • If your reference prefers to email the letter to us directly, please have them email it to pwsc.registration@alaska.edu.
    4. File Naming Requirement
      1. When uploading your essay, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, you must name each file using a variation of this format:
        • Legal First Name, Legal Last Name, Document Type
        • Examples of file naming variations you could use:
          • Jane_Doe_Essay
          • JaneDoeEssay
          • Jane_Doe_Letter1
          • Jane_Doe_(Jan)_Letter2
          • Jane(Jan)_Doe_Transcript
      2. If you use a preferred name, you may include it in parentheses after your legal name (e.g., Jane_Doe_(Jan)_Essay).
      3. Applications with incorrectly named files may be delayed or not reviewed.
      4. This naming convention ensures your documents align with your transcripts and letters of recommendation for accurate processing.
    5. Most Recent Unofficial Transcripts
      • You will need to submit your most recent unofficial transcripts showing your unweighted GPA.
  • 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.