Scholarship

Student Scholarship and Professional Grant Program

The Western PA Chapter of ASSP offers a scholarship program for students who have shown a career interest in a safety or safety-related degree program. The Chapter also offers a grant program for members who are looking to pursue a professional certification (Examples: CSP, CIH, CHST, etc.) or who are seeking funding to attend a professional development event such as regional or national safety conference or continuing education. The application period is January 01 – March 01 each year with selection no later than April 01.

Send applications and associated documentation to president@westernpa.assp.org

For the Student Scholarship Program, review the section titled “Student Scholarship Selection Criteria” and complete the “Student Scholarship Application” below. Follow the directions on the application for submission.

For the Professional Grant Program, review the section titled “Professional Grant Selection Criteria” and complete the “OSH Professional Grant Application” below. Follow the directions on the application for submission.

Click here for the Student Scholarship Application
Click here for the OSH Professional Grant Application

Student Scholarship Selection Criteria

  1. Demonstrated or expressed interest in safety related degree program.
  2. Student 500-word essay.
  3. Academic good standing (minimum required cumulative GPA of 3.0).
  4. Good Standing Membership within the Western PA Chapter.

How are applications reviewed?
Each application is reviewed by at least three executive committee members of the ASSP Western Pennsylvania Chapter. Scores will be given on a 1-5 rating. Reviewers rate applications based on:

  • Academic performance such as GPA and curriculum rigor.
  • Leadership activity in ASSP and the community.
  • Motivations for entering the field and how they plan on achieving their goals as an OSH professional.
  • Written response to the committee provided essay question.

Common Questions

A grade point average is under the required criteria. Would they still be eligible to apply for awards?
No, must meet the minimum grade point average requirements (A 2.99 GPA will not be rounded to a 3.0 GPA).

 If the student is currently enrolled to begin a graduate program and have no GPA or transcript yet.
Student will submit an official enrollment letter from a safety-related graduate degree program as well as an in-progress transcript from fall coursework.

How many hours does the student need to complete to be eligible for the undergraduate and graduate program?
Student must be enrolled in at least 3 or more semester hours of a safety degree program (or closely related field) to be eligible a scholarship. Note: Students must be enrolled into a degree program and provide proof of such, high school seniors are not eligible. 

Definition of a “a closely-related degree”.
The core degrees would be those in occupational safety, health, and environment. If students degree is not specifically an OHS degree, they are still eligible to apply for scholarships. It is up to the executive committee to agree upon whether or not a student’s degree program falls in line with the professional affiliations of the society. Degree programs such an engineering, industrial hygiene, or ergonomics would be examples of closely related degrees. 

Professional Grant Selection Criteria

  1. Good Standing Membership within the Western PA Chapter.
  2. Academic performance such as GPA and curriculum rigor of past education.
  3. Volunteer activity in ASSP and the broader safety community, and/or the local community.
  4. Motivations for entering the field and how they plan on achieving your goals as an OSH professional.
  5. Purpose for grant.

How are applications reviewed?
Each application is reviewed by at least three executive committee members of the ASSP Western Pennsylvania Chapter. Scores will be given on a 1-5 rating. Reviewers rate applications based on:

  • Academic performance such as GPA and curriculum rigor of past education.
  • Volunteer activity in ASSP, the community, or other volunteer organizations.
  • Motivations for entering the field and how they plan on achieving their goals as an OSH professional.
  • Written response to the committee provided essay questions.

The Western Pennsylvania Chapter will issue the recipients grant check once they provide the chapter with a certificate of completion, receipt, or final proof that you attended the event/class/seminar for which they applied. This includes such items as CSP prep course fees, examination registration fees, professional development course fees, continuing education fees, and conference registration fees. The Chapter will also reserve the right to exclude members who are found to misuse and or whom cannot produce aforementioned validation documents from subsequent grant awards at the Chapter’s discretion.

It will be up to the executive committee to validate the purpose of the request for grants. If an item is in question it will brought to vote before the committee.

General Information for Scholarship and Grants

  • Application period will be January 01 – March 01.
  • The executive committee will review all applications between March 1-30 and make an official selection no later than April 01.
  • The Chapter will pay for the recipient’s registration fee to the chapters annual PDC and recognize said individuals at the PDC.
  • The Chapter will recognize these individuals on social media platforms and in newsletters.
  • Send applications and associated documentation to president@westernpa.assp.org