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school in one of three locations: Brownsville, Texas; Elizabeth, N.J.; and Los Angeles, Calif. Winners receive $5,000 a year for four years of undergraduate study, which is supplemented by $7,500 annually for up to three summer internship programs. Criteria to earn a scholarship include diese details: students must possess a 2.75 GPA, involved in full-time study, majoring in STEM fields, and must attend a one-week scholars' program.

In addition, Merck offers a larger program, awarding 25 scliolarsliips to Hispanic undergraduate STEM majors attending college in any of the 50 states. The award is a one-time $2,000 scholarship. To earn that scholarship, students must be enrolled in a college, be of Hispanic origin, have a 2.75 GPA, and be a STEM major. For more information, visit www.alliancescliolars.org.

NACME Scholars Program

As its name suggests, scholarships offered by the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) promote minorities pursuing careers in engineering, hi fact, NACME offers scholarships to students attending 25 participating colleges. But these students must already be accepted and enrolled in the college in order to compete for it, explained Aileen Walter, XACME's vice president of scholarships. "These scliolarsliips aren't open to the general public,'' Walter emphasized.

However, NACME's Pre-Engineering Scholarships, which target high school seniors embarking on an engineering career, are eligible to the general public, Walter said. XACME offers 20 awards of $2,500 each for first-year tuition. To be considered, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in lugli school, 1,650 combined SAl' scores, and pursue an engineering degree.

SHPE Foundation's AHEHMS Scholarships

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) offers a 2,500 scholarship to Hispanic seniors in high school who have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and attend an accredited U.S. or Puerto Rican school. Students must be accepted into a two-year or four-year college in fee U.S. To be chosen, students must demonstrate leadership and service in the Hispanic community and be able to attend a pre-college symposium .

SHPE Foundation also offers $1,000 to $5,000 awards for high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students. Students must have a minimum 2.75 GPA, fill out an application form, write a personal statement ordine, and submit a one-page resume and faculty recommendations. For more information, visits the website at shpefoimdalion.org.

Aetna Nursing Scholarship

Aetna offers two $2,500 scholarships for one year to nursing majors for any student attending a two-year or four-year Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) associated college, explained Jorge Burwick, HACU's assistant director of scholarships and student services, Aetna wants to make sure it attracts a diverse base of nursing students into the field.

Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Students must also write an essay. ''We're looking for their community involvement and work experience. The scholarships are not just based on GPA," Burwick said.

Great Minds in STEM Scholarships

Great Minds in STEM offers about one hundred scholarships, ranging from $500 each to $10.000 for one year, explained Ray Mellado. Great Minds in STEM CEO. Scholarships are awarded in total for about $250.000, he said. Scholarships are aimed at Hispanic and underrepresented students who are applying for or enrolled in college.

About 80 percent of scholarships are awarded to students attending four-year colleges, about 15 percent are given to high school students, anil ahout 5 percent go to students in two-year engineering or science programs. Annually, about ?00 to 700 students apply for these 100 scholarships. Awards are based on merit, not financial need.

Scholarship winners can apply the following year for another one. But they must compete with all of die applicants and aren't given any advantages based on winning previously. ''Every year is a new race," Mellado said.

Great Minds in STEM is seeking students who exhibit leadership. Mellado said. "Winners do more than just get good grades. They're out there trying to help their school and their community and are trying to make a difference," he said.

Students must demonstrate a minim urn 3.0 GPA, write an essay about what they plan to do with their math or science degree and answer another topical question. Students must also submit a faculty recommendation and one recommendation from a peer.

"Good grades are important," Mellado said. But it takes more than outstanding grades to earn a Great Minds in STEM scholarship. Civic involvement is just as critical as outstanding grades.