Program Overview
Fitchburg State University’s S-STEM Scholarship program is funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This 5-year grant project will provide financial support through scholarships for academically talented STEM students with financial need. We will also provide academic and career development support through:
- Bi-weekly STEM career seminars
- Summer internship opportunities
- Undergraduate research
- Professional career mentorship
The NSF S-STEM Scholarship program initiative will include the recruitment of four cohorts of financially eligible, academically talented students from eligible STEM majors, based on criteria, such as academic talent, interest, motivation, and communication skills. The program will enhance existing efforts to support students through STEM seminars, mentorship ladders, and career-based internship and research activities, facilitating career placement in STEM fields and building a pathway for graduate programs to support high-need communities and jobs of the future.
The program helps STEM Scholars successfully pursue postsecondary degrees and future careers in STEM. Through financial aid, alongside evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities, the program aims to increase recruitment, retention, student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation rates in STEM. Over the 5 years of the grant, Fitchburg State will build on our ongoing Fitchburg State University Faculty Academy to foster a Community of Practice focused on both mentorship and curricular improvement, a STEM career seminar program, and expanded, more student-focused partnerships for research and internships.
Program Goals
- Improve recruitment, retention, academic, and career success of domestic, financially eligible, academically talented students with demonstrated financial need pursuing STEM programs through scholarships coupled with career-related seminars, research and internship experiences, and mentorship provided by academic, industry, and non-profit partners.
- Support the full-time and transfer-in enrollment, sense of belonging, academic success, and career development of Scholars through scholarships, mentorship, community and career centered seminars, and student internship and research opportunities.
- Build institutional capacity to establish a comprehensive STEM career development program.
Application Information
Apply to an eligible STEM major at Fitchburg State University. Then apply to this scholarship when you submit the FAFSA application. We offer S-STEM scholarships to eligible first-year and transfer students enrolled in STEM majors (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Engineering Technology, and Mathematics).
Scholarships cover up to $15,000 per year of unmet financial need for up to 4 years for first-year students and up to 3 years for transfer students.
Unmet Financial Need = Cost of Attendance (COA) - Student Aid Index (SAI) - All Gift Aid (Grant and Other Scholarships)
Priority Deadlines:
First-year students: March 1, 2025 (annually thereafter)
Transfer students: May 1, 2025 (annually thereafter)
- Pursuing a major in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Engineering Technology, or Mathematics.
- Demonstrate financial need through Pell Grant Eligibility determined by FAFSA application.
- Be citizens of the United States, nationals of the United States, or eligible non-citizens admitted as refugees or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
Criteria 1: Academic Talent and Potential
High School or College GPA (2.7 or higher)
High School and / or Fitchburg State or other college transcript
Faculty recommendations from high school or college instructors
Criteria 2: Demonstrate Interest, Motivation, and Commitment
Participation in activities that demonstrate interest, motivation, and commitment to STEM. Examples are listed below but applicants can choose to submit other evidence to show they meet this criterion.
- Community Service or other Service-learning participation
- After-school activities participation
- Student club participation
- Membership/ participation in STEM organization and activities and hobbies
- Other evidence provided in the Scholarship application essay
Criterial 3: Demonstrate Communication Skills
Personal essay (500 words) describing STEM education, interests, and expected career plans.
More Information
Dr. Nirajan Mani
Program Principal Investigator
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Engineering Technology Department
Office: Conlon 209A
Email: nmani@fitchburgstate.edu
Phone: 978.665.4843
Dr. Christopher Cratsley
Program Co-Principal Investigator
Professor
Biology and Chemistry Department
Office: Antonucci Science Complex 225
Email: ccratsley@fitchburgstate.edu
Phone: 978.665.3617
Dr. Nermin Bayazit
Program Co-Principal Investigator
Professor
Mathematics Department
Office: Edgerly 301-G
Email: nbayazit@fitchburgstate.edu
Phone: 978.665.3475
Dr. Kori Ryan
Social Science Researcher
Associate Professor
Behavioral Sciences Department
Office: McKay 222
Email: kryan33@fitchburgstate.edu
Phone: 978.665.4148
Dr. Hefei Qiu
Program Co-Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Computer Science Department
Office: Edgerly Hall 312E
Email: hqiu@fitchburgstate.edu
Phone: 978.665.4634
Dr. Ileana Vasu
External Evaluator
Senior Lecturer
Mathematical Sciences Department
Smith College
Office: Burton 316
Email: ivasu@smith.edu
Phone: 413.585.3469
The team of faculty mentors involved in the S-STEM grant project are all committed to improving their practice through participation in the Fitchburg State University Faculty Academy.
Benefits of our S-STEM Program:
- Scholarship up to $15,000 to cover unmet financial need
- Opportunity to participate in the STEM Career Seminars
- Academic support
- Mentorship program
- Career development through summer internship and undergraduate research activities
Program Activities:
- Support for academically talented STEM students with financial need through scholarships to cover up to $15,000 per year of unmet need for up to 4 years
- Opportunities to engage with other scholars in a cohort model, beginning with summer orientation
- Participation in the STEM career seminars
- Faculty, professional and peer mentorship
- Career-based internship and research activities
- Improving recruitment, retention, academic, and career success of STEM Scholars
- Addressing career opportunities for high need communities
- Preparing students for STEM careers of the future
STEM Career Seminars
Starting your first semester at Fitchburg State, you will be part of a cohort of scholars and attend biweekly seminars every semester. These seminars are designed to support your sense of belonging within your STEM discipline, utilizing the principles developed in the Fitchburg State University Faculty Academy. The Seminars also aim to prepare you to engage with and succeed in STEM Internships and undergraduate research.
Career-oriented Summer Internships and Undergraduate Research
Each year, STEM Scholars will choose a summer internship or undergraduate research activity based on their interests and STEM discipline. Those students choosing internships involving research projects and undergraduate research with Fitchburg State University faculty, will have the opportunity to present their research outcomes at various conferences, including the Undergraduate Research Conference here at FSU under the guidance of faculty sponsors.
Professional Career Mentorship
S-STEM scholars will meet with their S-STEM faculty mentors at least biweekly. These meetings will offer a space for scholars and mentors to work together as the scholars seek out and apply to career-relevant opportunities. It is also an opportunity for scholars to receive any support that they might need. In addition, S-STEM scholars will have the opportunity to develop peer and professional mentor relationships as part of the STEM Career Seminars, Internships, and research experiences. Developing this mentorship “ladder model” offers S-STEM scholars support along each of the rungs of career development including finding their place at Fitchburg State University within a cohort of undergraduate STEM students, succeeding academically in their chosen STEM discipline, and progressing on to graduate study and employment as STEM professionals.