Who can apply to ACCESS?
Undergraduate students enrolled in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez may apply if they meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
What academic programs are eligible?
The eligible programs are:
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
Is financial need required?
Yes. Applicants must have financial need certified by the UPRM Office of Financial Aid.
Is financial need used to select scholars?
No. Financial need is required for eligibility and is used to determine the scholarship amount, but the selection process is based on academic talent and potential.
Is FAFSA required?
Financial need certification is required as part of the ACCESS Scholarship eligibility process. Students should complete the FAFSA and follow any additional instructions provided by the University’s Financial Aid Office.
What GPA is required?
Applicants and active scholars must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 or above.
Are citizenship requirements applicable?
Yes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or qualified refugees.
What documents are required to apply?
Applicants must submit an online application form, a one-page essay, a current academic transcript, and authorization for academic record review.
How are scholars selected?
Scholars are selected by the ACCESS selection committee based on academic talent and potential to contribute to engineering fields of national and regional strategic importance.
How much financial support can scholars receive?
ACCESS scholars may receive up to $15,000 annually, depending on financial need certified by the UPRM Office of Financial Aid.
How long can scholars receive support?
The maximum support period depends on the scholar’s academic level when entering ACCESS. According to the ACCESS First Meeting presentation, students who enter as fourth-year scholars may receive up to three years of support, fifth-year scholars up to two years, and sixth-year scholars up to one year.
Can a scholar lose eligibility?
Yes. Scholars may lose eligibility if they fail to maintain enrollment, citizenship, financial need, GPA, academic progress, or conduct requirements.
What happens if a scholar does not meet academic requirements?
The scholar may be placed on ACCESS probation for one semester and required to follow an improvement plan. If the scholar improves, they may return to good standing. Failure to improve may result in loss of scholarship eligibility.
Are scholars required to participate in ACCESS activities?
Scholars are strongly encouraged to participate in ACCESS activities, as these activities are designed to support academic success, professional readiness, scholar engagement, and program evaluation.
Can ACCESS scholars participate in internships, COOP, or research?
Yes. ACCESS encourages scholars to participate in internships, COOP, undergraduate research, special projects, industry experiences, and professional development opportunities.
Who processes scholarship payments?
Scholarship payments are processed through the University’s Financial Aid Office based on certified financial need.