Fund Disbursement

Funds will be disbursed first to your University student account to pay your tuition, U-PASS, late change, and other university fees. Please refer to the University of Washington Office of Student Financial Aid Disbursement Guidelines for timing and conditions. 

Awardee Expectations

GPA

Maintain a minimum 3.3 Quarterly and Cumulative GPA. Communicate with us promptly to seek support if grades fall below the minimum. Space Grant staff will work with you to create a plan, such as tutoring, study skills workshops, and other support services to ensure your continued success.

Performance Improvement Requirement

If your GPA falls below 3.0 in any quarter, you must attend mandatory tutoring sessions and create a study plan.  Additionally, you will be required to meet with your department advisor AND attend weekly check-ins with Space Grant staff until you maintain a 3.3 GPA.  You must actively work to improve your academic performance. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the discontinuation of the award for the following quarter.

Orientation and Quarterly Cohort Meetings

We are hosting an orientation before the start of the academic year and a cohort meeting each quarter that you are required to attend. The meeting schedule is:

  • Orientation Meeting- September
  • Fall Quarter Cohort Meeting- December
  • Winter Quarter Cohort Meeting- March
  • Spring Quarter Cohort Meeting- May 

    NOTE: Multiple session options will be available for each meeting.

In addition to the orientation and cohort meetings, Technical Trainees are required to attend a minimum of five (5) professional development workshops provided by the Space Grant during the academic year.

Student Profile in STEM Gateway

Create a student profile on the NASA website.

Monthly Reporting

Each month, you are required to submit a brief summary of how your studies, research, and other activities you are engaged in contribute or relate to NASA Mission Directorates. They are:

  1. Aeronautics Research
  2. Exploration Systems Development
  3. Science
  4. Space Operations
  5. Space Technology

This is not meant to be stressful or time consuming. We are looking for a 3-5 sentence summary.

We also want to know if you have any achievements or recognition that month you’d like to share!

Awardee Benefits

Building Access

All Space Grant recipients can use Guggenheim Hall (GUG) and the Aerospace Engineering Research Building (AERB) on the UW-Seattle campus! You always have access to the external doors and the following spaces with your Husky Card:

  • GUG 212 (Computer lab)
  • GUG 305 (Seminar room)*
  • GUG 309 (Kitchen)
  • AERB 120G (Kitchen)
  • AERB 130 (Conference room)*
  • AERB 241 (Meeting and study space)*

*NOTE: GUG 305 and AERB 130 must be reserved ahead of time. You may access AERB 241 at any time; however, if the main conference table is reserved, that meeting has priority.

S.P.A.C.E. Student Organization

You are part of a strong community! All Space Grant awardees are automatically enrolled in the “SPACE” registered student organization (RSO).  It is a great way to stay connected with your peers. 

Additionally, you can build community with other UW student clubs

The Washington Space Grant Consortium funds the High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) Research Program, the Supersonic Rocketry Research Program, and the CubeSat Technology Development Program. Check out these programs.

There are also research opportunities available through the UW Office of Undergraduate Research. Check them out

Summer STEM Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) 

SURP offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work in research positions that will complement their studies. Student researchers work under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral scholar or research scientist at the University of Washington. Applications open in February 2024. Selection will prioritize students with minimal lab research experience.

Space Grant Poster Symposium

If you participate in research any time during the academic year, you are invited to present at the summer poster session. Join in to build on your presentation skills.

Career Launch

We will be hosting a series of professional development workshops throughout the year. Interested in networking? Building experience on your resume? Applying for internships? Let us know what you would like to see in this series.