Q: |
What
is the NSF STEP Scholarship Program? |
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Ans: |
Eastfield
College’s NSF STEP Scholarship Program is a federally-funded
(National Science Foundation) effort to attract, support, and
retain students who are interested in obtaining degrees in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics.
This important federal program is intended to expand the nation’s
talent pool in the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry,
physics, mathematics, earth science, environmental science, engineering,
and computer technology. |
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Q: |
Are
the NSF STEP scholarships targeted at any specific group of students?
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Ans: |
Any US citizen or national
permanent resident may apply; however, Eastfield’s NSF grant,
known as Project Pathways, is targeted at females, racial/ethnic
minorities, students with a disability, or first-generation college
students. |
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Q: |
If
I have a declared major in pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-physician’s
assistant, or pre-veterinary medicine, am I eligible to apply
for an NSF STEP scholarship? |
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Ans: |
No.
The National Science Foundation’s funds, authorized by Congress,
are intended to be used solely to increase the number of non-health
care science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students
that obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in science.
Another federal agency (the National Institutes of Health or NIH)
provides grants for students pursuing careers in health care. |
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Q: |
How
much NSF STEP scholarship money is available to Eastfield students,
and do I have to repay the money? |
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Ans: |
These NSF scholarships
do not have to be repaid if the student complies with his/her
contract.
A full scholarship pays $1,500 per
semester.
A part-time scholarship (must be registered
for at least 6 hours) pays $500 per semester.
A partial scholarship may be awarded
to a student with a GPA of between 2.5 and 3.0 if selected by the
Review Committee and if the student is enrolled in at least 12 semester
hours. |
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Q: |
What
are the Eligibility Criteria to submit a STEP Scholarship Application? |
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Ans: |
- Be enrolled in Eastfield College as your home
campus
- Be a recent high school graduate or current
Eastfield College student
- For full scholarship, be enrolled in at least
12 semester hours
- For part-time scholarship, be enrolled in
at least 6 semester hours
- Be pursuing a science, technology, engineering,
or mathematics (STEM) degree or intending to transfer to a university
to major in a STEM discipline
- Demonstrate academic potential and persistence
toward a STEM degree
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA at the time of application
(excluding grades in developmental courses)
- Agree to participate in NSF STEP activities
during the scholarship term
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Q: |
How
many NSF STEP scholarships are awarded each year? |
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Ans: |
The STEP Program generally
averages six to eight “returning” scholars (sophomores),
and generally awards six to eight “new” scholarships
to freshmen each academic year. |
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Q: |
When
can I submit an application for the Fall semester? |
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Ans: |
May 1 – August
31 |
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Q: |
When
can I submit an application for the Spring semester? |
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Ans: |
October 1 – December
11 |
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Q: |
Where
can I obtain more information and/or where do I apply? |
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Ans: |
The NSF STEP Program
is located in room C-123.
Please contact Laura Thomason at 972 860-7379 or e-mail laurathomason@dcccd.edu |
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