Navigating STEM Scholarship Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
The pursuit of education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields is often supported by various scholarship programs. These programs aim to encourage talented students to contribute to the innovation economy with their STEM knowledge. This article delves into the requirements and opportunities offered by several STEM scholarship programs, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship offers added benefits to eligible Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill or dependents using the Fry Scholarship. This scholarship provides up to 9 months (or $30,000) of benefits for training in high-demand fields.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Rogers STEM Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria based on their enrollment status:
For those currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree or qualifying dual-degree program:
- Enrollment in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete.
- Completion of at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward the degree.
- Possession of 6 months or less of Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your statement of benefits.
For those enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals:
- Earning a qualifying degree in a STEM field.
- Acceptance or enrollment in a covered, post-graduate clinical training program for health care professionals (this training must not be part of a graduate degree program).
- Possession of 6 months or less of Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining.
For those working toward a teaching certification:
- Earning a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field.
- Acceptance or enrollment in a teaching certification program.
- Possession of 6 months or less of Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining.
If the application is approved, recipients may receive up to 9 months of added benefits or $30,000, whichever comes first.
Additional Information
- Decision Timeline: Decisions on scholarship applications are typically made within 30 days.
- Notification: Scholarship awards are made on a monthly basis, and recipients receive a decision letter.
- Text Message Updates: Applicants may opt to receive updates about their VA STEM benefits via text message.
- Attendance Verification: STEMText can be used to verify attendance each month by responding "yes" to a monthly text message.
- Scholarship Rates: Chapter 33 rates for private or foreign schools apply to the STEM scholarship.
- Graduate Programs: The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship is not applicable for graduate degree programs. It can only be used for an undergraduate degree program, a teaching certification, or a covered training program for health care professionals.
- Yellow Ribbon Program: The Yellow Ribbon Program cannot be used in conjunction with the STEM scholarship.
- Work Study Program: Recipients of the STEM scholarship are eligible to apply for the Veterans Work Study Program.
- Transferability: The STEM scholarship cannot be transferred to dependents.
National STEM Excellence Scholarship
The National STEM Excellence Scholarship seeks to identify and award America’s future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The National STEM Excellence Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $10,000 award. Financial need will be considered. Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship America processes scholarship payments.
Read also: Broad Stem Cell Research Center
Application Requirements
Applicants typically need to provide:
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted.
- If SAT or ACT test scores are provided and not listed on the high school transcript, a copy of the test score report(s) separately.
- Carefully consider which of your teachers and STEM program sponsors to ask for a letter of recommendation.
- Apply for federal student aid. Go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov to familiarize yourself with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to get more information on federal student aid.
- Review your transcript to be sure that your GPA and the courses you have taken make you eligible for this program.
WV STEM Scholarship Program
Scholarships of up to $3,000 are awarded annually while funding is available. Awards are contingent upon annual funding of the program by the West Virginia State Legislature. Priority awarding is given to current WV STEM recipients and college applicants. High School students are awarded based on a formula using their GPA and SAT or ACT scores until funding is exhausted. Private high school and homeschool students must submit the Grade Verification Form along with transcripts. Awards may be renewed for up to 4 years (3 years after initial award) of undergraduate coursework or the student has met the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. Students must complete the WV STEM Scholarship application every year after it opens October 1 but before the March 1 deadline.
Eligibility Requirements
- Agree to work full time in an engineering, science or technology field in West Virginia for one year for each year the scholarship was received.
- High School students are awarded based on a formula using their GPA and SAT or ACT scores until funding is exhausted.
- Private high school and homeschool students must submit the Grade Verification Form along with transcripts.
Edison Scholars Program
The Edison Scholars program recognizes students who want to be the makers of tomorrow - the dreamers, inventors, guardians and pioneers - those who dare to be great. Edison International awards $50,000 college scholarships annually to 30 high school seniors to help them pursue their passion in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) and empower them to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Eligible STEM Majors:
- Computer and information systems
- Engineering
- Engineering technology
- Management information systems
- Mathematics
- Natural resources and conservation
- Physical sciences.
Edison Scholars become part of the Edison network and connect with ambitious, talented students and alumni.
STEM Exploration and Engagement (EE) Scholars Program at Ohio State University
The STEM EE Scholars program at Ohio State University fosters a supportive community for students passionate about STEM fields. The program offers STEM-themed activities, peer support with a variety of majors, a STEM EE Scholars only program manager, and career and professional development to booster students' experiences, expertise, and skills.
Read also: Applying for the Future Women in STEM Scholarship
First Year Requirements
During the first year of STEM EE Scholars, students will focus on establishing community connections, their Buckeye identity, exploring STEM resources, career goals, and the opportunities based on the program pillars of Community and Service, Academic Success, and Career Readiness. To successfully complete year one as a STEM Scholar, students must:
- Complete and pass the required fall term Scholars Seminar Course
- Obtain and maintain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the first year
- Attend required monthly Community Meetings
- Engage with STEM teams and mentor program
- Actively participate in Scholar’s activities and earn 20 participation points each semester by attending community meetings, Scholar's events, campus events, and STEM engagement
Second Year Requirements
During the second year of STEM EE Scholars, students focus on their academic and career-ready skills while remaining connected to the Scholars community. Second year students spend their time immersed in an intensive project, individually developed, which relates to one or two H&S G.O.A.L.S. and their STEM major or area of interest. This Capstone Project lets Scholar be creative, innovative, and purposeful as they develop a project. This experiential project aims to let students explore STEM with a resume-worthy, skill building endeavor. The project is presented at the annual STEM EE Symposium for fellow Scholars. To successfully complete year two as STEM Scholars, students must:
- Complete the STEM Capstone Project and present at the annual STEM Scholars Symposium
- Attend required monthly Community Meetings
- Connect with the Program Manager for a one-on-one meeting
- Obtain and maintain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the second year
- Actively participate in Scholar’s activities and earn 15 participation points each semester by attending community meetings, Scholar's events, campus events, and STEM engagement
The successful completion of the STEM EE Scholars first- and second-year requirements guarantees students:
- A Transcript Milestone which marks that students have completed a Scholars academic program at Ohio State University.
- Certificate of Completion presented at the STEM Symposium
- Ability to continue to attend Scholars only opportunities as upperclassmen
- Continued college-level priority scheduling until graduation
Third and Fourth Year Requirements
There are no specific requirements for third- and fourth-year STEM EE Scholars. STEM EE Scholars participate in programming focusing on their Buckeye identity, academic goals, community building, career skills, and STEM themed explorations. A curated calendar of Scholars and partner events is provided to Scholars. Throughout the year, students may attend the scheduled activities that interest them in reaching their goals and interests as well as meet program participation requirements. Our programming serves our students and interests and varies from semester to semester, except for our program traditions or Signature events. Most events occur in the evenings.
Signature Programs
- STEM Symposium: This annual event in April is a spring event that is the culmination of STEM Scholars experiences and the presentation of the Second Year Capstone Project. Second Year Scholars share a presentation that reflects upon their Scholars’ journey, their Capstone project, and the impact of their experiences on their future endeavors. All STEM Scholars are expected to attend this evening of celebration and reflection.
- Pizza with a Professional: A semesterly semi-informal dialogue where students hear from an established STEM career professional to discuss their experiences, answer questions, and offer insight from an expert in their field.
- STEM Trivia: Join in a beginner friendly, fun competition with other Scholars to see who has STEM knowledge. Questions range from popular culture to STEM historical events.
- Semester STEM Outing: This annual, day-long field trip explores points of interest in Ohio. Past visits include COSI, Zoos, Museums, and amusement parks, as well as other locations.
Additional Opportunities
- Career Connection: Skill Building Workshops: Attend a workshop to build transferable skills that will serve you across the wide array of STEM disciplines
- STEM Service and Volunteer Opportunities: such as WestFest, the Science Olympiad, Office of Community, Access, Retention, and Empowerment (CARE) Outreach and Engagement, and other organizations.
As a STEM Exploration and Engagement Scholar, students join a network of peers passionate about an array of STEM fields, disciplines, and careers. The STEM EE community is a great place to explore all the possibilities STEM offers. Through student-led programs and activities, our community focuses on academics, wellness, and service.
Read also: Preparing Students for the Future in STEM
Leadership Council
STEM EE Scholars is led by a Program Manager but is “student-driven". The STEM EE Leadership is split into multiple committees who plan activities and events throughout each semester. Scholars become eligible to volunteer after completing their first-semester seminar. Applications open every November, and positions are held for a calendar year, not just an academic year. Volunteering entitles Scholars to engage in advanced opportunities to gain leadership skills, activities facilitations, and LC only workshops hosted by the Program Manager. In turn, LC Members help host events and community meetings. They serve fellow Scholars by sharing their time and talents. This is an excellent opportunity to practice and advance leadership skills and strengthen competencies for career and professional goals. Opportunities include committee chair positions, titled roles, committee members, and function as mentors to Scholars and ambassadors of the Scholars Program.
Community Meetings
STEM EE Scholars Cohorts are required to meet once a month with their program manager throughout the year. The First Year and Second Year Community Meetings are separate events (though any student may attend any meeting in addition to their own) with objectives designed to support the needs of each year. In general, these events are used to give announcements, highlight opportunities, participate in various community building activities, skill building and guest speakers, and to celebrate the achievements of students in the program. These events have included movies, workshops such as network and resume building, and speakers from campus resources not seen in the weekly newsletter.
Mentorship Program
The STEM EE Scholars mentor program is designed to let first- and second-year students collaborate in STEM Teams/Squads. All first year Scholars are placed in a STEM team based on interests, and each squad is led by multiple, established Scholars who volunteer as team leaders. Teams attend Connection events to explore campus and other activities in person and virtually.
Residential Community
First-year STEM Exploration and Engagement Scholars students live together in Houston House. The residential community is an important element of the Scholars experience, and is required for all students with the exception of commuter students. While each of the 16 Scholars Programs builds experiences for students around its unique theme, students benefit from shared Scholars experiences.
S-STEM program
The main goal of the S-STEM program is to enable academically talented, low-income students to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. Ultimately, the S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with an S-STEM eligible degree and contribute to the American innovation economy with their STEM knowledge. To be eligible, scholars must be domestic low-income students with academic ability, talent, or potential and demonstrated unmet financial need who are enrolled in an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree program in an S-STEM eligible discipline. Proposers must provide an analysis that articulates the characteristics and academic needs of the population of students they are trying to serve. NSF is particularly interested in supporting the attainment of degrees in fields identified as critical needs for the Nation. Doctoral (Ph.D.
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