Scholarship Requirements

Completing the requirements for an associate’s degree or the approved math and science curriculum while in high school will
require students to plan their course of study carefully.

Associate’s Degree or Equivalent
In order to complete an associate’s degree in 2 years, students will need to take approximately 16 credit hours per college semester for 4 semesters (2 academic years).

Math and Science Curriculum
In order to complete the math and science curriculum requirements in 2 years, students will need to take approximately 12 credit hours per college semester for 4 semesters (2 academic years of college-level math, science and general education courses).

Because students must complete an associate’s degree or the math and science curriculum by September 1st of the year their class graduates from a Utah high school, it is imperative for them to work closely with their high school counselor, college advisor, and parents to ensure that they:

• Take the necessary number of college credit hours each semester;
• Take only courses that will count towards your associates's degree or the math and science cirriculum;
• Are knowledgeable about all of the different course options available to you (i.e., Advanced
  Placement, Concurrent Enrollment, Early College, Utah Electronic College);
• Plan your elective course work to meet the lower-division requirements of the bachelor’s degree
  major that you plan to pursue.

It is also very important that students fully understand the different types of associate’s degrees and the requirements for each.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees

Both the A.A. and A.S. degrees are designed to transfer to four-year institutions. Both degrees meet the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree at any public four-year USHE institution. In general, both the A.A. and A.S. degrees require completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours and a maximum of 65 credit hours. The curriculum consists of general education courses, elective courses, and in the case of the A.A. degree, a foreign language requirement. The number of required credit hours in each of these areas varies by institution. It is important for the students to be familiar with the degree requirements of the institution from which they plan to obtain their degree.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

The A.A.S. degree is designed to prepare students to enter the work force. In general, these degrees require completion of a minimum of 63 credit hours and a maximum of 69 credit hours. Because of the accreditation specifications, some A.A.S. degrees require the completion of more than 69 credit hours. The majority of the course work is concentrated in a specific field of study. General education courses are also required for completion of the degree; however, fewer general education credit hours are required for the A.A.S. degree than for the A.A. and A.S. degrees. The required general education courses may differ by department in each institution. Because the A.A.S. degree has not been designed to transfer to four-year institutions, the number of credit hours that will transfer will vary. (NOTE: If students complete an A.A.S. degree, and then go on to a four-year institution, there will be additional general education courses they will have to complete for their bachelor’s degree.)

Other associate’s degrees, such as pre-engineering and business, are also eligible for the NCSP. Students should talk to their high school counselor, contact their college advisor, or contact the NCSP if they have questions.

By state law, an Associate of Applied Technology (A.A.T.) degree from the Utah College of Applied Technology does not qualify students for the NCSP (see Utah Code § 53B-8 105(5)).

Students should contact the institution where they plan to complete their bachelor’s degree regarding any course requirements they might have.