STEM Financial Support Options

The UIU Department of STEM and the School of Arts and Sciences have developed some external grants through which eligible students majoring in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields may receive additional financial support (scholarships, stipends, additional resources).

There are currently two specific programs:

1) NSF STEM-Pros

Benefits include scholarship funding of up to $10,000 per year, family orientation, individual academic and research mentoring, access to job shadowing and internship opportunities, and annual travel to attend professional conferences. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, if the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements and participate as required.

Eligibility is based on:

• United States citizen or permanent resident
• Academically talented, usually indicated by a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Demonstrated unmet financial need (low-income)
• First-year student (dual enrollment credit or AP credit is allowed)
• Major in the Department of STEM, including Environmental Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Mathematics (including Actuarial Science), Software Engineering

2) LSAMP – Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

Benefits include research stipends of up to $1500, funding for research supplies, individual academic and research mentoring, professional development and networking, enhanced access to summer research opportunities, and travel for conference attendance and presenting your work. The stipend is renewable, if the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements, and participate as required.

Eligibility is based on:

• United States citizen or permanent resident
• College GPA of 2.5 or high school GPA of 2.7
• Major in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline at UIU
• Member of an underrepresented group in STEM, including Black or African-Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders

UIU is a partner in the Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education (IINSPIRE). IINSPIRE is an NSF (National Science Foundation) LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) alliance among 16 two-year and four-year colleges and universities working together to broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the Midwest. You can also find more information about the IINSPIRE LSAMP Alliance at http://www.iinspirelsamp.iastate.edu/.

If you meet the criteria for either or both of these opportunities, please speak with your advisor. For further information or if you have questions, contact Dr. Katherine McCarville, [email protected] or 563-425-5233.