VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship

Awarded By:

Virginia Space Grant Consortium

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards may vary according to the funds available and the number of eligible applicants. Last year, 24 awards were given.

Description: This award is for U.S college sophomores who are enrolled full time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at one of the five Virginia Space Grant institutions. The student must be federally recognized as a minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander).

Application requirements for the VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship are:

• Essay
• Recommendation letter
• Application form
• Transcript

Additional Information: A major goal of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is to help produce the engineers and scientists of the future. While opportunities for careers in aerospace have expanded, the number of talented students pursuing degrees in mathematics, engineering and the sciences has declined. To encourage talented individuals to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields and research, the VSGC established the STEM Bridge Scholarship Program. Awardees should have an academic background that demonstrates a strong interest and ability in science, math, and technology reflected by completion of a significant number of these courses with high achievement. The student should have the necessary academic coursework and preparation to be successful in a STEM major at the institution. Awardees should also possess a strong interest in a STEM-related career demonstrated by participation in extracurricular activities and prior school projects in STEM. Prior participation in research, NASA programs or similar STEM-related educational programs, both formal and informal, would also indicate the student has a good chance of sustaining interest in STEM. Student applications will be judged based on academic merit, background, faculty recommendation, and demonstrated interest in NASA and a career in STEM. VSGC will work directly with the institution's VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship Program point of contact and VSGC advisory council members to help facilitate a competitive selection process and will make final approval of all student selections. VSGC will notify awardees of their selection by May 2016 and provide them with the awardee requirements and a description of the scholarship program. Students will be required to notify VSGC to officially accept or decline the scholarship offer. VSGC will notify each institution of the student's decision.

Award Amount: $1,000 annually, non-renewable. The award will be distributed in equal amounts for fall and spring semesters.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $1,000.