Northeastern State University

Other Benefits

Scholarship students get more than money. You also receive:

• Enrollment in one of the best Computer Science or Mathematics programs in the state.
• The opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, such as meetings, contests, picnics, seminars/guest speakers, and career exploration trips to area employers and graduate schools.
• Excellent counseling and advisement for coursework and career choices. Each scholarship student has an advisor (mentor) during their stay at NSU.

You will also be part of a cohort (group) of about 25 scholarship students. Take some common classes, get to know each other in group meetings and other activities, and develop lifetime relationships.

Keeping Your Scholarship

To retain your scholarship for a full four years, you must:

• Complete 30 hours of course credit a year toward a Math or CS degree at NSU.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.75 overall and in major related courses (Math and/or CS).
• Submit a form prior to the start of each semester notifying the NSU STEM scholarship personnel that you wish to continue in the scholarship program.
• Meet individually with your advisor at least monthly during the academic year and bring progress reports from the instructors of each of your classes. If you stop attending classes at NSU, you will not receive subsequent disbursements unless there is sound justification.
• Participate in monthly meetings with other scholarship personnel and students.
• Maintain your financial need status. STEM scholarship students must reapply for financial aid by March 15 of each year for the following school year.
• Maintain current contact information with the NSU STEM scholarship personnel, including current phone number and e-mail.

Each student may work part-time, but this will be limited to a maximum of 15 hours per week during the academic semesters (when classes are in session). In many cases, working may decrease eligibility for STEM awards in following years. 

Important Dates

• Submit STEM application forms any time after March 1. Full consideration is not given until the FAFSA application and follow-ups are complete.
• Complete the application for Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA) as soon as possible. The process of completing the FAFSA, having the results sent to NSU, and providing follow up information to NSU can take 5-8 weeks. You should start and complete this process as soon as possible.
• Scholarships cannot be determined or awarded until this process is complete. Priority consideration may be given to students who complete this process early.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply one of these scholarships you must:

• Have a minimum college GPA of 2.75. Based on previous experience, the most likely recipients of these STEM awards will have a GPA of 3.25 or better and ACT scores in the 20s.
• Enroll as full-time students at NSU in a timely manner for Fall 2011. Students will decide in the first year between a Computer Science or Mathematics degree.
• Complete an application, including submission of the application form (PDF) and the letters of reference (PDF). You must also provide your most recent college transcript. If available, provide copies of your ACT scores (these may already be on your college transcripts).
• Complete a Federal Financial Aid Application (FASFA) online as soon as possible and have your results sent to NSU. If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, contact the NSU Office of Student Financial Services at 918-444-3456.
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States or meet the residency requirements prescribed in the NSF S-STEM Program Solicitation 07-524.

Selection Criteria

After the initial requirements are met, the criteria for selection is based on academic talent and potential for success in Mathematics or Computer Science. This is determined by your GPA from high school transcripts and/or previous college coursework, from standardized tests, and from other indicators of academic talent and potential. You also have your references submit academic and employment related references separately to the address listed on the reference from. The selection committee will also consider your responses to questions on your application related to motivation to learn, interest in Math or Computer Science, and other factors.

Previous coursework in advanced math or in computer courses is not required. If you do not have this coursework, you may consider taking either an advanced math course or a computer programming course prior to fall to help determine if you have a real interest in these areas.

Please read about Computer Science at NSU. It has links to several web pages with information about what Computer Scientists do and how Computer Science is different than other computing careers such as Information Science/Systems and Computer Technology.