NSF Supported S-STEM Program
The Appalachian High Achievers in STEM program is funded by an NSF S-STEM grant in 2018.
The program is funded through the year 2022. The main purpose of the program is to attract financially needy and academically talented students to major in
chemistry, computer science, geology, applied mathematics, and physics to help them succeed in these majors. The program provides a nurturing atmosphere
that encourages excellence and builds collaborations between students, faculty, and the community.
The program provides mentoring opportunities to academically talented undergraduate and
graduate students in chemistry, computer science, geology, applied mathematics, and physics.
Highlights: Weekly seminars, Study groups for core classes, Mentoring and tutoring corner,
Leadership workshop series, Peer-mentoring, Resume writing and internship/job search workshop, and
Community building
Data on the 2018 S-STEM Program in Fall 2022
* 24 active scholars: Chemistry (3), CS (10), Geology (2), Math (4), and Physics (5)
* 60 Total number of umduplicated scholars served: Chemistry (6), CS (24), Geology (6), Math (14), and Physics (10)
* 22 Female (36.7%) and 38 Male (63.3%)
* 11 African American (18.3%), 3 Asian (5%), 11 (18.33%) Hispanic, 1 American Indian, 1 Middle Eastern, and 35 (58%) White
* 23 graduated: 2 Chemistry, 9 in CS, 2 Geology, 7 Math, and 3 Physics
The National Science Foundation sponsored S-STEM scholarship program provides $6,000 annually
for up to four years for financially needy and academically talented entering freshmen that
intend on majoring in computer science, mathematics (excluding math education) or statistics.
Incoming graduate students, juniors and seniors considering pursuit of a master's degree
in these fields at Appalachian State University may also apply. The scholarship provides
up to 8 semesters of funding, including up to 4 semesters of
graduate study at Appalachian upon meeting all the program requirements and excellent performance.
Applications for open scholarship positions are accepted at any time. Students are
evaluated on a first-come first-served basis. Entering freshmen may be invited to campus
for an interview. On campus students are interviewed by the program directors.
Requirements:
Students must demonstrate financial need for study at ASU and must be United States citizens,
nationals, refugee aliens, or permanent residents at the time of application as per NSF
guidelines. In addition, qualifying students must fall into one of two categories and satisfy
the accompanying requirements:
Lower Level/Transfer Students
Entering Freshman or Transfer students or a full-time student (at least 15 hours) in the first year of the major.
Student must plan to major in chemistry, computer science, geology, applied mathematics, and/or physics.
Entering freshmen must have a high school grade point average of 3.5/4.0 or higher and
lower-level undergraduate applicants must have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.8/4.0.
Incoming freshmen must have an SAT score of 1200 or a math score of 600 or higher (ACT 25 or higher with ACT Math 25 or higher).
Transfer students will start
the program when they enter ASU, must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 with a strong Math/Science on their transcripts.
Transfer students can be in the program for four consecutive years to complete their undergraduate and/or
graduate degrees at ASU.
Upper Level with Commitment to do Graduate Studies at ASU
Must be a full-time computer science, applied mathematics, and/or physics
within 60 hours of graduation.
Student must have and maintain a grade point average of 2.8.
Student must have a commitment to attend graduate school at ASU
Accomplishments Of the S-STEM Program
* At the end of Fall 2019, the S-STEM undergraduate scholars maintained an average cumulative GPA of 3.4. Our graduate scholars (one in CS, one in Math, and two in Physics) maintained a 3.72 average cumulative GPA (two of whom with 4.0).
* Six completed their degrees: 2 CS (1 G and 1 U), 2 Mathi (2 U), and 2 Physicsi (2 U).
