Q: |
What
is the NSF STEP Scholarship Program? |
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A: |
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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A: |
Any US citizen or national
permanent resident may apply; however, Eastfield’s NSF grant,
known as Project Pathways, targets females, racial/ethnic minorities
or students with a disability. |
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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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A: |
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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A: |
These NSF scholarships
do not have to be repaid if the student complies with his/her
contract.
A full scholarship pays up to $1,500
per semester.
A part-time scholarship (must be registered
for at least 6 hours) pays up to $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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A: |
- Be a recent high school graduate (enrolled
at Eastfield) or current Eastfield student with Eastfield designated
as your home campus
- For full scholarship, be enrolled in at least
12 credit hours
- For part-time scholarship, be enrolled in
at least 6 credit 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 and volunteer on projects
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Q: |
How
many NSF STEP scholarships are awarded each year? |
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A: |
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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A: |
May 1 - August 31 |
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Q: |
When
can I submit an application for the Spring semester? |
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A: |
October 1 - December
11 |
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Q: |
Why
is there a block on my records? |
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A: |
The NSF STEP
grant requires monitoring of student progress and prior advising
before majors or courses are changed.
This service assists scholars with options, support services, and
any needed interventions.
This procedure also helps EFC be good stewards of its federal funds. |
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Q: |
What
happens if I need to drop or change a course? |
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A: |
All scholars are required
to set an appointment with the grant’s Student Support Specialist,
Laura Thomason, prior to making any changes to courses or dropping
hours below the required minimum.
This allows
students to be aware of all possible consequences of these actions
before they occur. |
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Q: |
What
happens if my GPA falls below 3.0 or if I fail a course? |
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A: |
Scholars are required
to meet all criteria and terms of the student contract in order
to retain funding.
Scholarships are awarded to students assumed to be highly responsible
and who show regular academic progress.
Dependent upon the individual circumstances and a case-by-case
review by the NSF management team, the following actions can occur:
- The student receives a written warning that performance must
meet all applicable standards or the student risks loss of funding
- The student is put on probation for a semester without additional
funding until the student proves required academic achievement
- In the event a student who received prior warning fails to
meet all necessary requirements, the student may be terminated
from the program and declared ineligible for future NSF STEP
grant funds
- Any evidence that a student has intentionally misused federal
funds, or committed fraud to obtain or be eligible for federal
funds, the case will be referred to the Grants Administration
Office and the NSF Program Officer for official review
In rare circumstances, a grant recipient may be required
to reimburse the federal government and/or face prosecution
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Q: |
Where
can I obtain more information and/or where do I apply? |
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A: |
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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