Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) Academic Scholarship

Scholarship Overview

SSAI is a woman-owned business, which has been providing scientific and technological applications services since its incorporation in April, 1977. Based in Lanham, Maryland, SSAI specializes in Earth and space sciences, advanced computing, scientific analysis, instrument engineering, systems development, and information technology. The company's founders, Om and Saraswati (Sara) Bahethi, are naturalized U.S. citizens who have shown both compassion and commitment in supporting and assisting students studying to earn degrees in atmospheric and related sciences. Dr. Bahethi acknowledges the contributions of scholarships and financial assistance from educational institutions and the government to the completion of his own physics studies in the United States, and he and Mrs. Bahethi are happy to pass on their own assistance to others.

Scholarship at a Glance

One $2,500 award may be made each year
Awarded on the basis of scholarship and participation in SPS to undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior year of study
Supported by Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI)

Eligibility

Applicants must be students in their sophomore or junior year of college who are majoring in physics or a related science
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who attend a college or university in the United States
Applicants must be undergraduate members of the SPS national organization

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

General information form
Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. Transcripts must be postmarked by the application deadline and mailed to:

SPS Scholarship Program
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives
Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS activities
Certification from the Department Chair that the applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree
Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
- high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
- the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
- active participation in SPS programs.

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS Scholarship Committee shall consider with equal weight:

high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
active participation in SPS programs.