Community College Scholarships

Community College STEM Scholarship Program

ABOUT:

Students must apply during their second semester of freshman year of community college enrollment for an award that will begin in the sophomore year. This is a competitive scholarship program based on academic merit funded by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia recognizing high academic achievement and promise. The number of awards is contingent upon available funding.

GOALS:

• Encouraging students engaged in associate degree programs who are preparing for careers in technology fields essential to America’s industrial and technological competitiveness, particularly those with aerospace and STEM relevance

• Increasing participation of underrepresented minorities, females and students with disabilities in aeronautics, space and STEM fields

• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

More information about NASA four Mission Directorates can be found in the links below:

Aeronautics Research

Exploration Systems Development

Science

Space Operations

Space Technology

ELIGIBILITY:

• Must be a U.S. citizen

• Currently enrolled in a Virginia Community College and have completed at least one semester of coursework (minimum of 9 credit hours) at the time of application (spring 2024)

• Be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more) during the award period (2024-2025)

• Majoring in a STEM program of study

• Grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Expect to graduate no sooner than May 2025 or later

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Statement of your academic and career goals – a brief written statement by the applicant relating to how his/her degree will help them prepare for a technical career in aerospace or a STEM field that will support one of NASA’s mission directorates. Indicate your plans for future academic preparation including pursuing an undergraduate four-year degree or beyond.

Plan of Study – Submit an outline of your intended coursework for the sophomore year of your STEM associate degree program. (Including credit hours and name of course per semester)

Resume – Submit a short summary of your education, work, or military experience and any significant accomplishments (e.g. honors or awards) or any other relevant information

Letters of Recommendation – provide the names and contact information for two references of which one must be the applicant’s current faculty advisor. Letters of recommendation should assess the applicant’s technical and /or academic potential as well as his/her progress and academic achievements. The online application system will contact both references via email to request a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.  We suggest that you inform both of your references that they will receive an email from the VSGC in reference to your application.  Your references will be provided with a link to submit their recommendations.

VSGC must receive both recommendations for your application to be complete.

For help on writing a letter of recommendation, CLICK HERE.

Transcript– An unofficial transcript with all grades through Fall semester 2023 is required and can be submitted as a PDF in the online application.  If the applicant is selected to receive an award then an official transcript will be required at acceptance.  If the applicant does not have a PDF conversion tool, links to free online PDF converters are provided in the application

AWARDEE REQUIREMENTS:

• Awardees must provide a head-shot photo electronically

• Awardees must provide biographical information upon selection

• Awardees must inform the VSGC of changes of contact information

• Must be enrolled full time (minimum of 12 hours) during the award period

• Awardees must respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys

• Awardees may be asked to discuss their studies in public forums

• At the completion of the award period, but no later than May 6, 2024, the scholarship recipient must submit a brief, written report on their experience as a Virginia Space Grant Community College STEM 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 recipient’s experience (e.g. a list of presentations made, awards, graphics, or honors), attendance at the VSGC Student Research Conference in April 2025.

• Employment or future educational plans.

• Attend a webinar about future opportunities.

Disposition of Unused Funds:

1. Release of $1,500 after VSGC has received the acceptance form and all supporting documents.
2. Release of $500 after attending Student Research Conference in March/ April.
3. If the scholarship recipient terminates his/her academic program during the 2024–2025 academic year, the Community College is required to return a prorated share of the scholarship award to the VSGC. Any unused funds should be returned to us.

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

March 8, 2024: Applications are due before 11:59 p.m.

March 15, 2024: Letters of recommendation are due before 11:59 p.m.

Late April/Early May 2024: Awards will be announced with funding provided to students through their community college for the 2024–2025 academic year beginning with the Fall 2024 semester.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Application link can be found here.

A printable flyer for the Community College STEM Research Scholarship Program can be found here.

Any questions can be directed to vsgc@odu.edu

Please visit our other research scholarship and fellowship programs:

Graduate Fellowships

Undergraduate Scholarships

STEM Bridge Scholarship Program