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NSF S-STEM Scholarships
This scholarship is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program.
The NSF S-STEM Scholarship is designed to support greater than 1/2 time students majoring in any of the following content areas: Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Information Technology, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics.
It aims to provide scholarship support for academically-talented, financially-needy science, technology, engineering and math students, and train these students to become effective scientific and technological contributors when entering the STEM workforce.
New and current students are eligible to apply. Scholarships vary in amount up to $10,000 and can be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and other needs. Scholarship recipients will be part of a learning community and will be assigned a faculty mentor with the opportunity to actively participate in faculty-mentored undergraduate research.
Eligibility Criteria:
- To qualify, students must:
- Be a United States citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen
- Have financial need (as defined for undergraduate students by the U.S. Department of Education criteria for Federal Financial Aid)
- Maintain greater than half-time enrollment (minimum of 7 credits per semester)
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA
- Participate in scholarship program activities
Application Process:
A. Complete and submit the completed scholarship application form to:-
- Melanie Osterhouse at mdosterhouse@csmd.edu
OR - NSF S-STEM Scholarship Program
Melanie Osterhouse
8730 Mitchell Road
P.O. Box 910
La Plata, MD 20646
- Melanie Osterhouse at mdosterhouse@csmd.edu
- An essay written by the applicant (450-500 words, typed, double-spaced) explaining your interest in your field of study, your qualifications, and how you will benefit from this award
- Complete College of Southern Maryland’s Placement Exam or submit appropriate SAT, ACT, AP or IB scores or demonstrate completion of college level English and Mathematics courses.
- Letter of recommendation**
- Official Transcript (high school or college, as appropriate)**
**Students who have previously submitted letters of recommendations and/or transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Advising do not need to re-submit these documents
C. Complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. CSM’s Federal School Code is 002064 and must be included on the FAFSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though you may be a Nursing, or Physical, Occupational, or Respiratory Therapy student, the NSF considers these to be “health professions”, which makes you ineligible for the STEM Scholars program. These programs are typically supported by NIH and other organizations. However, if you are pre-med, pre-dental, etc. but plan to obtain a biology or chemistry degree for your undergraduate degree before applying to medical, dental, etc., then you may qualify for the scholarship.
As a STEM Scholar at CSM, you will receive extensive support services and an opportunity to participate in paid undergraduate research through the S-STEM Grant.
STEM Scholars will also have the chance to explore various STEM career options, interact with experienced professionals in STEM fields, travel to professional STEM-related research conferences and participate in a paid undergraduate research opportunity or internship with faculty mentors. Additional benefits include academic advising and mentoring, peer and professional tutoring, participation in the CSM Summer Bridge Pre-College Program, university visits, and transfer preparation.
The S-STEM program supports the National Science Foundation’s strategic goal to help create a diverse, competitive, and globally engaged U.S. workforce of scientists, engineers, technologists, and well-prepared citizens.
- You must maintain greater than half-time enrollment (minimum of 7 credits per semester)
- You must be planning on going into a STEM field (astronomy, biology, chemistry/biochemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, geology, mathematics or physics).
- Due to NSF requirements, clinical and health-science majors such as nursing, medicine, and dentistry, as well as K-12 education are excluded from this award.
- Must show evidence of academic potential from high school and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA while at CSM
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident (as defined on the STEM Scholars application).
- Must show financial need (see below for further detail on this) (S-STEM only)
- Students from underrepresented minority populations (African American, Alaskan Native, American Indian/Native American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Native Pacific Islander) are encouraged to apply.
You will need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher while attending CSM. You will need to show continued financial need and remain a STEM major. You will also be required to attend and participate in events that assist in furthering your academic and professional achievement.
- Scholarships covering tuition and required course materials will be awarded on an ongoing basis as long as you meet the financial need requirements and other eligibility criteria or until the grant expires.
- This scholarship can be added to other scholarships and grant funding (such as Pell).
- You will be given opportunities for involvement in undergraduate research, career counseling, peer and professional tutoring, internships, and other academic activities.
A PDF of the recommendation letter can be printed off from the link on the application form.