NASA 2009 scholarship program opens

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it will accept aeronautics scholarship applications through Jan. 16 for the academic year beginning during the fall of 2009.

Officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate said they expect to award 20 undergraduate and five graduate scholarships to students in aeronautics or related fields.

"Undergraduate students in their second year of study will receive up to $15,000 per year for two years and a summer internship with a $10,000 stipend at a NASA center," the space agency said. "Graduate students will receive up to $35,000 per year for three years and two summer internships at a NASA center with $10,000 stipends."

Scholarship money can be used for tuition and other school-related expenses.

NASA said students who have not committed to a specific academic institution or program may apply, but, if accepted, they must be admitted by fall 2009 into a suitable aeronautical engineering program or related field of study at an accredited U.S. university. All applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Specific details about the scholarship program are available at http://www.asee.org/nasaasp