Become an Excelerate in STEM Scholar
Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Excelerate in STEM scholarship program will award up to $4,500 per academic year to STEM students who demonstrate a financial need. Excelerate in STEM scholars will build leadership skills, engage in mentoring, and foster a strong sense of STEM identity throughout the duration of the program. Submit the Interest Form below with your questions and to be contacted when the application is available.
Sobresalga en una carrera STEM
Excelerate in STEM Scholarship Benefits
- Up to $4,500 per academic year
- Student cohorts
- Priority Registration
- Access to tutors
- Faculty and Peer mentoring
- Paid entry to Summer Bridge Program
- Seminar Series: Navigating the World of STEM for Scholarship Recipients
- Earn college credit for courses on leadership skills, exploring STEM professions, college life, and more!
Eligibility
- US Citizen, Nationals, Permanent Residents or Eligible Documented Immigrants
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an Excelerate in STEM eligible discipline
- Biological Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Computer and Information Science
- Engineering
- Technology Fields
- Demonstrate academic ability or potential
- Demonstrated financial need
Criteria
- High School Diploma
- GPA of 2.75
- ACT score of 18 overall and 18 on the math section or equivalent standardized score
- Recommended by a mathematics instructor if submitting a standardized test score alternative to the ACT
OR
- GED Recipients
- 90th percentile or above on the math section
- ACT score of 18 overall and 18 on the math section or equivalent standardized test score
- Substitute awardees must have 2.75 GPA at MGCCC in place of high school GPA and ACT score
- Exhibit leadership qualities and community service
- Experience and active participation in professional organizations, clubs, or community activities
- Recipients must follow an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree plan
Application Requirements
- Personal essay*
- 300-500 words explaining your interest in STEM
- How are you uniquely qualified for this scholarship?
- How will you benefit as a recipient?
- Contact information for an academic or professional reference who will provide a letter of recommendation.*
- Have submitted the application for admission and been accepted to MGCCC
- High school and/or community college transcripts**
- Up-to-date FAFSA data**
* Submitted with the scholarship application
** Submitted with admission requirements to the Office of Admissions
Application Process
Submit the online application when it reopens. Students will need to submit a personal essay with the application and also provide the name and email address of an academic or professional reference who has agreed to provide a letter of recommendation. Students who are in consideration for an Excelerate in STEM Scholarship will be required to complete an interview with the Campus Leadership Support Team. Students who are selected for an Excelerate in STEM Scholarship must sign a statement of intent to complete a degree program in STEM and enroll in online leadership courses.
The application period will open again in the spring 2025 semester .
Scholarship Continuation
Scholarship continuation will be based on the following:
- Maintain at least half-time status in STEM Programs
- Maintain 2.75 GPA
- Demonstrate progress toward meeting degree requirements
- Documented financial need
- Recommendation for continuation by Campus Leadership Support Team
FAQ
NSF considers health-profession majors like nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, etc. to be ineligible for the scholarship. However, if you are pre-med or pre-dental but plan to obtain an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or biomedical engineering before applying to medical or dental school, you may qualify for the scholarship.
The Excelerate in STEM Scholarship is dependent on the student’s financial need. Other financial aid awards such as institutional scholarships, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, State Grants, Other Third Party and/or Outside Scholarships applied to the student’s account will determine the STEM scholarship amount in which the student is eligible.
Yes, many Career & Technical majors qualify for the scholarship! The list of eligible majors can be found on the scholarship application.
A 4-week program that includes team building, exploring careers in STEM, learning study skills, and so much more!
Interest Form
Fill out the form below to be notified when the scholarship application is available.
Testimonials from Scholarship Recipients
Being a part of this scholarship program has been more of a blessing than I could have ever imagined. I have been able to work under amazing mentors and develop intrapersonal skills all the while pursuing my biology degree. I would not be where I am or who I am today had I not had the support of the Excelerate in STEM Scholarship Program.
-Victoria Robinson
Attending Gulf Coast has been the best two year start to my college career! I have been afforded so many opportunities, the Excelerate in STEM Scholarship Program being just one example, that have pushed me beyond what I thought I could do, helped me expand my knowledge and passion for science, and paved the way for my future! I am so grateful for the experiences and knowledge I’ve gained throughout this program and look forward to implementing everything that I have learned in all of my future endeavors.
-Raegan Levene
Excelerate in STEM Summit
