Nominations Sought for College Scholarship Program
Program offers full tuition to SUNY Maritime College

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick today announced that nominations are being
accepted for a new college scholarship program approved by the New York
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.  Candidates must submit an application to
the Maritime College by February 1, 2003.

"I am pleased to be in a position to offer local students a chance at the
opportunity to attend SUNY Maritime, a unique and highly-regarded part of
the SUNY system," said Assemblyman Fitzpatrick.  "This scholarship program
can surely make a great difference in the lives of the students appointed to
the Cadet Program.  The college offers first-rate higher education with an
outstanding 100% career placement."

The Cadet Appointment Program enables Governor Pataki and State Legislators
to nominate eligible students to the Maritime College as part of its
prestigious Regiment of Cadets.  Assemblyman Fitzpatrick is eligible to
nominate individuals for the scholarship award for the 2003-2004 academic
year.  Applicants must currently be a high school senior.

Students wishing to be nominated by Assemblyman Fitzpatrick should have a
combined SAT score of 1200 (ACT composite score of 26 or above), a high
school GPA of at least 90, and have demonstrated leadership and community
service experience.  Although these qualification guidelines are taken
seriously, applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.

The Maritime College will review the applications received from Assemblyman
Fitzpatrick's district and inform him of those nominees eligible for
acceptance.  Assemblyman Fitzpatrick will then review the applicants, in
conjunction with a selection panel, and select his nominee for the Cadet
Appointment Program.  The legislative review period will run from February
1, 2003 to March 1, 2003.  The Maritime College will notify nominees later
in March.

Michael J. Fitzpatrick was elected to the Assembly on November 5, 2002.  He
represents New York's 7th Assembly District, which includes the Town of
Smithtown in its entirety, as well as parts of Islip and Brookhaven
Townships.