S-STEM Scholarship Program

Program Overview

The S-STEM scholarship program provides financial support to Computer Science students with high academic potential. In addition to the financial support, the program engages students in co-curricular activities focused on cyber-security and professional development that prepares participants for future careers. The program targets undergraduate Computer Science students at the University of Texas at El Paso and California State University – Stanislaus. The program also funds qualified students at El Paso Community College and Merced College who intend to transfer to one of the two four-year institutions.

The S-STEM Consortium consists of the following four institutions:

• University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
• California State University – Stanislaus (CSU-S)
• El Paso Community College (EPCC)
• Merced College (MC)

Benefits:

Financial Support

The S-STEM program will fund students seeking a degree in Computer Science for a period of up to four years. Funded students at UTEP and CSU-S will receive an annual stipend based on their academic level as follows:

• Freshman: $7,500
• Sophomore: $7,500
• Junior: $9,000
• Senior: $10,000

Students at EPCC and MC will receive a stipend in the amount of $5,000 for one year before transferring to the four-year institution where they will continue to receive financial support in accordance with their level of study (sophomore, junior, or senior).

Professional Preparation

Funded students will be engaged in co-curricular activities that enhance their professional skills, as well as competency in the cyber-security areas. Students will be involved in professional workshops, competitions, and research. Selected students will be provided travel funds to attend professional workshops, conferences, and competitions.

Program Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for the S-STEM scholarship are as follows:

• S. Citizenship or permanent residency
• Verified financial need through the corresponding institution’s financial aid office as defined by the Department of Education rules for need-based Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA].
• Incoming freshmen students are expected to show strong academic promise (i.e., High GPA, strong recommendations, or high standardized tests scores)

Students enrolled at a feeder community college (EPCC or MC) will also submit their degree plan and course approval form to the S-STEM program lead at the four-year institution (UTEP or CSU-S) each semester before scholarship funds are released for that semester.

Continuation Eligibility

Each selected student will work with an S-STEM advisor to develop a degree plan through graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS). The purpose of the degree plan is to ensure that funded students earn a BSCS degree within the four-year funding limit. The S-STEM program will provide funds for students on a semester basis. Funded students will be evaluated at the end of each semester to ensure that they continue to meet program requirements. To maintain eligibility, the following criteria will be verified annually:

• Financial aid eligibility through the corresponding institution’s financial aid office as defined by the Department of Education rules for need-based Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA]
• Competitive cumulative and program GPA
• Satisfactory progress toward a BSCS degree

The S-STEM program will provide activities to support the scholars’ success. Students who fail to maintain the academic requirements of the BSCS program will be placed on a probation period for one semester to allow them to regain eligibility. Students who succeed in regaining eligibility after one semester will be provided with funds after the probation semester. Students who fail to regain eligibility after one semester will not receive any further funding.