Community College Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarship Program

The VSGC Community College STEM Scholarship Program provides awards of $1,500 to students enrolled at one of Virginia’s community colleges in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). A major goal of the VSGC is to help develop the technical, scientific and research workforce that America needs to stay competitive in the world marketplace. This workforce includes technical workers as well as engineers and scientists. Virginia’s community colleges have historically given their students the background and preparation for immediate employment in technical fields following program completion while helping prepare others for further studies at four-year institutions.

To encourage talented individuals to pursue studies in technical fields, engineering and the sciences, the VSGC established the Community College STEM Scholarship program.This is a competivite scholarship program, funded by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia contributions, with the goals of:

• Encouraging students engaged in associate degree programs who are preparing for careers in hightechnology fields essential to America’s industrial and technological competitiveness, particularly those with aerospace relevance;
• Recognizing high academic achievement and promise;
• Increasing participation of underrepresented minorities, females and students with disabilities in aeronautics, space and high-technology fields; and,
• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST FEBRUARY 27, 2009
(Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the reference by March 6, 2009)

Community College STEM Scholarship Application

(First-time users must click on the New User Registration button to begin)

Awards are one-year, non-renewable $1,500 stipends for students enrolled full-time at one of Virginia’s 23 Community Colleges during the full 2009–2010 academic year. Students should apply during their freshman year of community college enrollment for an award that will begin in the sophomore year. The number of awards is contingent on available funding.

Eligibility

The scholarship program is open to U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled in a Virginia community college for at least 12 semester hours and have completed at least one semester of coursework. Students may be enrolled in any STEM program of study that includes coursework related to an understanding of or interest in technological fi elds supporting aerospace. This can include associates degree programs in advanced technology fields such as, but not limited to, engineering, engineering technology, computers, electronics and industrial technology. Successful scholarship recipients should have grade point averages of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Since an important purpose of this program is to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities, females, and persons with dis abilities in aerospace-related, high technology careers, the VSGC especially encourages applications from these students.

Application Review Process
Applications are due by February 27, 2009. Awards will be announced by April 2009, with funding provided to students through the community colleges for the 2009–2010 academic year beginning with the Fall 2009 semester.

Reporting and Administrative Requirements

At the completion of the award period, but no later than June 30, 2010, awardees must submit a brief, written report on their experience as a Virginia Space Grant Community College Scholar. The report should address:

• Academic progress, including degree granted (if applicable);
• The impact the award has made on plans to pursue future technical training or a baccalaureate or higher degree;
• Significant results of the awardee’s experience (e.g. a list of presentations made, awards or honors); and,
• Employment or future educational plans.

A letter regarding the awardee’s academic progress during the award period must also be submitted by the faculty advisor no later than June 30, 2010. Awardees will be required to: provide a photo and biographical information upon selection; to inform the Consortium of changes of address; to respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys for Space Grant Community College Scholars; and, may also be asked to discuss their studies in public forums.

Disposition of Unused Funds

If an awardee terminates his/her academic program during the 2009–2010 academic year, the Community College is required to return a prorated share of the scholarship award to the VSGC.

Applicant Information Form

The application must be submitted online and all information must be complete or the application will not be reviewed. The components of the application are discussed in more detail below.

Statement of Academic Goals and Plan of Study

A statement written by the student should relate how the associates degree will prepare him/her to enter a STEM career field either in a technical capacity or through additional study at the baccalaureate level or beyond. The applicant should also submit a plan of study outlining intended coursework for the remainder of the associates degree program.

Resume and Letters of Recommendation

Applicants will submit a short resume of education, significant accomplishments (e.g. honors or scholarships) and any other relevant information. Applicants will also provide the names and contact information for two references of which one must be the student's current faculty advisor. Letters of recommendation should address the student’s technical and/or academic potential in a STEM field or in pursuing advanced academic study in a STEM or aerospace-related track.

VSGC will contact both references via email to request a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. References will be provided with a link to submit the recommendation. For the application to be complete, the faculty advisor must submit a letter of reference. The VSGC suggests that applicants contact both references listed and inform them that they will receive an email from VSGC requesting this information on their behalf.

Transcript

Unofficial transcript with grades through Fall 2008 is required and can be submitted as a PDF in the online application. Applicants must submit one transcript from each institiution of higher education attended. If the applicant is selected to receive the award, official transcripts will be required at time of acceptance. If the applicant does not have a PDF conversion tool, links to free on-line PDF converters are provided in the application.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST FEBRUARY 27, 2009
(Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the reference by March 6, 2009)

Community College STEM Scholarship Application

(First-time users must click on the New User Registration button to begin)