OCTCS S-Stem Grant Scholarships Still Available | OCTC

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OCTCS S-Stem Grant Scholarships Still Available

Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) has received a $619,500 grant award from the National Science Foundations (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The project, entitled the OCTC Achieving Community College Educational Success Scholarship to STEM (OCTC ACCESS to STEM) is designed to increase the pool of skilled technicians in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from which to hire the next generation workforce. Given the critical need of the country to encourage STEM careers for a well-prepared workforce, the proposed project bodes well for increased enrollment and retention in STEM education and training programs that lead to transfer to four-year postsecondary training and/or training-related employment. Over half a million dollars of this award will fund scholarships in nine OCTC STEM associate degree programs, to include:

  • Biotechnology
  • Science
  • Information Technology
  • Mechatronics
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Computer Aided Drafting
  • Machine Tool Technology
  • Engineering Technology
  • Welding

To be eligible, scholars must meet the following NSF and local eligibility criteria:

Must be a U.S. Citizen or national, refugee, or lawful alien;

Must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester) in one of the targeted disciplines that lead to an associates degree in a technology area associated with a targeted S-STEM discipline;

Must demonstrate academic potential, as determined by one of the following:

Composite ACT score of 21 OR

COMPASS placement scores of 50 algebra / 85 reading / 81 writing OR

High school GPA of at least 3.0;

Must demonstrate financial need, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education;

Preferentially be a member of an underrepresented group in STEM (first-generation college student, female, minority, and/or disabled); and

Must demonstrate professionalism, as determined by expressed motivation, time management abilities, and communication skills.

The first round of scholarships will be awarded in fall 2014. To encourage additional applications, the scholarship deadline has been extended to April 1, 2014. For more information, please contact Misty Gish, Associate Professor of Biotechnology, at (270) 686-4554.