PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the administrative procedures and responsibilities of the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program (MUELP) and the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Commission for awarding scholarships to minority and underrepresented students who are pursuing environmentally-related courses of study.

1. (1) Definitions.

   1. (A) A student will be considered a minority or underrepresented student, for the purpose of securing a scholarship only if s/he meets the following requirements:

      1. 1. A member of an ethnic population

listed in the most recent Missouri Census Data that makes up less than fifteen percent (15%) of the statewide population; and

1. 2. The individual must prove an estab-

lished affiliation with said ethnic population, through official census data and/or application or file with the financial aid office, which provides information to the colleges.

1. (B) “Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund” means the fund that provides assistance to students entering into environmentally related courses of study.
2. (C) “Advisory commission” means the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Commission created under section 640.240, RSMo.
3. (D) “Program” means to the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Minority Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program (MUELP).
4. (E) “Learning institution” means any public or private high school, college or university recognized by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education in the state of Missouri.

1. (2) Mission Statement—

   1. (A) To create opportunities for undergraduate and graduate underrepresented students in the fields of environmental related courses of study;
   2. (B) To provide funds for underrepresented students contingent upon academic status and performance;
   3. (C) To build a society of underrepresented students who will serve as role models for future generations;
   4. (D) To encourage support from all areas of society; and
   5. (E) To help create a pool of applicants that reflect the cultural diversity of Missouri.

2. (3) Description of the Scholarship Fund. The fund was created under section 640.240, RSMo, Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program, to award scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing environmentally related courses of study.

   1. (A) Award Name. The recipient of the award from each participating institution shall be referred to as the “Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Scholar.”
   2. (B) Award Amount. An amount to be determined annually by the advisory commission will be awarded to full-time undergraduate and graduate students as selected from persons nominated by the participating institutions each semester.
   3. (C) Award Renewal. Renewal is at the direction of the advisory commission after review of the recipients academic performance.

3. (4) Student Eligibility. All applicants (undergraduate and graduate students) shall fulfill the following eligibility criteria as set forth under section 640.240, RSMo:

   1. (A) Be a current resident of the state of Missouri;
   2. (B) Be a graduate of an accredited high school;
   3. (C) Have maintained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school on a 4.0 scale. If currently enrolled in college, students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
   4. (D) Be enrolled full-time (at least twelve

4. (12) credit hours per semester) in one (1) of the following areas of study:

   1. 1. Environmental engineering;
   2. 2. Chemical engineering;
   3. 3. Civil engineering;
   4. 4. Mechanical engineering;
   5. 5. Agricultural engineering;
   6. 6. Biology;
   7. 7. Geology;
   8. 8. Wildlife management;
   9. 9. Natural resource planning;
   10. 10. Natural resources or a closely relat-

ed course of study;

1. 11. Environmental chemistry; and
2. 12. Environmental law enforcement;

and

1. (E) Submit the MUELP application containing the information specified above and including:

   1. 1. Three (3) letters of recommendation

with at least one (1) from a math or English teacher;

1. 2. A one (1)-page essay on an environ-

mental topic;

1. 3. A listing and summary of school and

community activities;

1. 4. Transcript; and 10 CSR 1-2
2. 5. SAT/ACT scores.

1. (5) Selection Criteria. The following will be evaluated on an equal basis:

   1. (A) Grade point average, course content, and standardized test scores;
   2. (B) School and community activities;
   3. (C) Evidence of leadership and character;
   4. (D) Evaluation of essay; and
   5. (E) Results of an interview with program staff.

2. (6) Award Recipient Requirements.

   1. (A) Scholarship recipients shall enroll in and earn a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per semester.
   2. (B) Students shall maintain a grade point average of 2.5, or above.
   3. (C) Renewal of the scholarship depends upon review of the student submittal of the Academic Scholarship Application Form, in addition to completion of twelve (12) credit hours, and having a grade point average of 2.5.
3. (7) Invitation To Participate. Invitations to participate in the scholarship program will be extended to learning institutions by letter from the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program dated on or before March 1 of each year. The letter will describe the program and will ask the institutions to submit nominations for the scholarships. The letter will ask interested institutions to send with the nominations a description of its selection method for their nominees and to report their student retention and graduation rates.
4. (8) Response Due Date. Responses to the invitation to submit nominees are due no later than May 1, of each year and must be addressed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality—Administration, Minority and Underrespresented Environmental Literacy Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

5. (9) Responsibilities of learning institutions who are participating in the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program.

   1. (A) Assess and select students based on the institution’s policies that meet scholarship eligibility. The Academic Affairs office, or equivalent, of participating institutions is responsible for appointing a person to coordinate with the program for recommending eligible students who demonstrate the greatest potential for academic success and distinction.

   2. (B) Submit completed application packet to the program. Learning institutions will assist students in completing the application and other pertinent forms, to assure that all required information is complete and submitted at the designated times. Following review of applicants in accordance with eligibility criteria, the institution will perform the following functions:

      1. 1. Submit copies of policies used for

assessment and selection of scholarship nominees, as requested;

1. 2. Maintain students’ records pertaining

to scholarship eligibility for availability upon request;

1. 3. Verify each semester if an award

recipient is full-time or part-time and making satisfactory progress, according to the institution’s standards. At the beginning of each semester, the completed enrollment/certificate of academic standing will be signed by the president/chancellor or designee and forwarded on to the program. The completed enrollment/certificate will verify that the student is enrolled on a full-time basis and qualified for continuation of the award; and

1. 4. Notify the program if the student for

whom an award has been made is not enrolled full-time.

1. (10) Responsibility of the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program. The program shall—

   1. (A) Provide information and assistance to interested and participating learning institutions;
   2. (B) Make certain that applications are complete;
   3. (C) Verify that new and renewal applicants are eligible;
   4. (D) Submit qualified applicants to the advisory commission; and
   5. (E) Assist the department in the oversight and maintenance of the Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund.
2. (11) Advisory Commission Responsibilities. The advisory commission shall meet at least annually at a predesignated time and place to select recipients of the Scholarship Fund, and to specify the amount to be awarded. The commission will review the program operations and will provide advice and recommendations as appropriate.

AUTHORITY: section 640.240, RSMo Supp. 1997.* Original rule filed Dec. 15, 1997, effective Aug. 30, 1998. *Original authority 1996.