| Application deadline | March 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | February 12, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | $600 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Fee waiver for students eligible for free or reduced lunch: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Granted to the extent funds are available. (2027 cycle) |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Course registration and materials fee (if accepted): $40; Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Fee waiver for students eligible for free or reduced lunch: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Granted to the extent funds are available. (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Weekly salary: $500 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grade 12 and first-year college; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grade 10 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
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| Additional eligibility | Citizenship: US citizen; Residency: IL; Requirement: Open to grades 12–13; Requirement: High school senior in the 2027-2028 school year or a 2027 high school graduate; Requirement: Enrolled in an Illinois high school; Requirement: Proof of medical insurance | Requirement: Open to grades 10–12; Requirement: Completed ninth grade before the summer program; Requirement: Strong interest in marine biology, environmental science and related fields; Requirement: Able to attend all orientation and training sessions and complete 12 shifts over six weeks | Residency: Missouri; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 10 when applying; Requirement: Attend high school in Missouri or be homeschooled in Missouri |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts July 12, 2027; Ends August 6, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 22, 2026; Ends August 9, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 13, 2027; Ends July 3, 2027; 3 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | Hybrid | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | IL | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO |
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| Selection and application | Application materials: Letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher or STEM club advisor | Selection: Qualified applicants receive required peer-and-staff interviews, with some placed on a waitlist. The Aquarium does not publish application totals, cohort size or acceptance rate. Application materials: In-person interview | Selection: School nomination allotments limit the pool, a statewide committee evaluates academic and qualitative criteria, and about 330 scholars are expected in 2027. MSA does not publish a current nomination count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a teacher; Two essays of 300-350 words |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22 |
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