About STEM Scholars

Awards

NSU will offer up to 12 scholarships beginning in Fall 2009 to entering freshman and to students who already have 40 hours or more of college credit towards an Associate or Bachelors degree from an accredited institution. Awards can be up to about $8,000 per year, depending on the student’s level of financial need as determined by their FAFSA. Some additional summer awards are provided. The exact award amount will be determined by the student’s level of financial need.

Students who file FAFSA and qualify for a Pell grant may still be eligible for about $8,000 in STEM awards (minus the amount of any other scholarships and financial aid).

Students who file a FAFSA and do not qualify for Pell grants may still be eligible for up to $8,000 per year, depending on the results of the FAFSA and other financial aid or scholarship awards.

If you have filed your FAFSA results and want more information before filing your STEM application, you may call to discuss whether or not you may be eligible for some of the STEM award. Dr. Rick Matzen (918) 444-5846

Qualified scholarship applicants will be selected based on their overall application, including GPA, ACT scores, interest in Computer Science or Math, references from teachers/instructors, and other indicators of potential for success.

Other Benefits

Scholarship students will get more than money.

1. Enrollment in one of the best Computer Science or Mathematics programs in the state,
2. Opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities: meetings, contests, picnics, seminars/guest speakers, and career exploration trips to area employers and graduate schools.
3. Excellent counseling and advisement for coursework and career choices. Each scholarship student will have an advisor (mentor) during their stay at NSU,
4. Be part of a cohort (group) of about 25 scholarship students. Take some common classes, get to know each other in group meetings and other activities, and have an opportunity to develop lifetime relationships.

Keeping Your Scholarship

To retain their scholarships for a full four years, students must:

• Complete 30 hours of course credit a year toward a Math or CS degree at NSU.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.75 overall and in major related courses (Math and/or CS).
  
• Submit a form before each semester notifying the NSU STEM scholarship personnel that they wish to continue in the scholarship program.
• Meet individually with his or her advisor at least monthly during the academic year and bring progress reports from the instructors of each of their classes. If a student stops attending classes at NSU they will not receive subsequent disbursements unless there is sound justification.
• Participate in monthly meetings with other scholarship personnel and students.
• Maintain their financial need status. STEM scholarship students must reapply for financial aid by March 15 of each year for the following school year.
• Maintain current contact information with the NSU STEM scholarship personnel, including phone number and email.

Each student may work part time, but this will be limited to a maximum of 15 hours per week during the academic semesters (when classes are in session). In many cases, working may decrease eligibility for STEM awards in following years.

Important Dates

• STEM application forms may be submitted any time after March 1, 2009 but will not be given full consideration until the FAFSA application and follow-ups are complete.
• Complete the application for Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA) as soon as possible. The process of completing the FAFSA, having the results sent to NSU, and providing follow up information to NSU can take 5-8 weeks. You should start and complete this process as soon as possible.
• Scholarships cannot be determined or awarded until this process is complete;  priority consideration may be given to students who complete this process early.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply one of these scholarships you must:

1. Entering freshman must have a minimum high school GPA of at least 2.75, supported by official transcripts through January 2008. You must maintain this 2.75 through the end of Spring 2008 (your high school graduation GPA). Students who are already in college must have a minimum college GPA of 2.75. Based on previous experience, the most likely recipients of these STEM awards will have a GPA of 3.25 or better and ACT scores in the 20's.
2. The scholarship recipients must enroll as full-time students at NSU in a timely manner for Fall 2009. Students will decide in the first year between a Computer Science or Mathematics degree.
3. Complete an application, including submission of the application form and the letters of reference. Entering freshmen must provide copies of their current high school transcripts (through Fall 2009) and copies of their ACT scores. Students who have started college must provide their most recent college transcript. If available, provide copies of ACT scores (these may already be on your college transcripts).
4. Complete a Federal Financial Aid Application (FASFA) onlineas soon as possible and have your results sent to NSU. If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, contact the NSU Office of Student Financial Services at 918-444-3456.
5. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or meet the residency requirements prescribed in the NSF S-STEM Program Solicitation 07-524.

Selection Criteria

After the initial requirements are met, the criteria for selection will be academic talent and potential for success in Mathematics or Computer Science. This will be determined from the applicant’s GPA from high school transcripts and/or previous college coursework, from standardized tests, and from other indicators of academic talent and potential. Applicants will submit academic and employment related references with their scholarship applications. The selection committee will also consider the applicants’ responses to questions on their applications related to motivation to learn, interest in Math or Computer Science, and other factors.

Previous coursework in advanced math or in computer courses is not required, If you do not have this coursework, you may consider taking either an advanced math course or a computer programming course this spring semester to help determine if you have a real interest in these area(s).

Please read the ComSci at NSU link on this web site. It as links to several web pages that provides information about What Computer Scientists Do and how Computer Science is different than other computing careers such as Information Science/Systems and Computer Technology.