Senator Kemp Hannon announced nominations are being accepted for a new college scholarship program approved by the state legislature earlier this year. The program will award scholarship winners with full tuition for four years at the State University of New York Maritime College in New York City.

The "Cadet Appointment Program" enables Governor George Pataki and state legislators to nominate eligible students to attend the Maritime College as part of its prestigious Regiment of Cadets. Hannon is eligible to nominate individuals for the scholarship award for the 2003-04 academic year. Applicants must be a high school graduate or within one year of graduation, of have attained a New York State high school equivalency diploma, and, at the time of admission to the Maritime College, be a first-time, first-year college student.

"The scholarship will undoubtedly change the lives of the students appointed to the Cadet Program and I am pleased to be in a position to offer a student from my district an opportunity to attend SUNY Maritime," he said. "Maritime College is a highly regarded institution in our SUNY system and the school offers a first-rate higher education with an outstanding 100 percent career placement."

Located on the Throgs Neck Peninsula in New York City and overlooking the Long Island Sound, the Maritime College is the oldest maritime school in the nation and one of SUNY's original chartered schools. Since 1974 the college has trained future leaders in government and industry - at land and sea.

While pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering, business or science, cadets also prepare for licensure as ship officers in the United States Merchant Marine. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with three summers of international travel aboard America's best-equipped training vessel, the Empire State VI. According to college officials, the unique combination of theoretical and hands-on practical learning leads to an outstanding 100 percent placement rate.

Anyone wishing to be nominated by Senator Hannon must have a combined SAT score of at least 1200 (ACT composite score of 26 or above), a high school GPA of at least 90 percent (3.5 on a scale of 4.0) and have demonstrated leadership and community service experience.

The Maritime College will review the applications received from Hannon's district and inform the senator of those nominees eligible for acceptance. Hannon then plans to appoint a selection panel to review the eligible applicants and select his/her name for the Cadet Appointment Program. The legislative review period will run from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, 2003. Maritime College will notify nominees on March 1, 2003. To be considered for a nomination, candidates must submit an application to the Maritime College by Dec. 15. Applications may also be requested by contacting Hannon's office at 222-0068.