Student Support & Scholarships
Financial Assistance and Opportunities
S4 Grant
The United States needs a globally competitive STEM workforce. To that end, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program (S-STEM). Its goal is to increase the number of academically talented, low-income students in STEM fields by awarding grants to help further their educational goals.
Mount Saint Mary’s University was first awarded an NSF S-STEM grant in 2016. Known as the S4 Grant (“Supporting STEM Scholars to Succeed), it provides financial support for eighteen science majors for four years. Each student receives up to $8500 in academic support annually, which helps cover students’ tuition, books, and conference travel.
NOYCE Grant
For students that are interested in teaching, please consider the Noyce Program. This competitive program can provide students up to $10,025 per semester to complete their STEM degree and secondary credentialing. The scholarships are available to students that are either junior or senior standing, and there are additional opportunities to explore teaching in this program.
Student Support and Peer Mentoring
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental instruction takes many forms: students have access to one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, and supplemental lecture sessions, all run by students who have already taken the class and done well in it. Our supplemental instructors (SIs) are incredibly flexible and eager to help students excel in their studies, and all SIs are screened and approved by the course instructor before they can work with students. Supplemental instruction is funded by the NSF Building Capacities grant, the S4 grant, and other departmental and university sources.
Peer Mentoring
There are many opportunities for peer mentoring at the Mount. However, we believe that STEM-specific peer mentoring is valuable because it connects new STEM majors with students who have experience in things unique to the field. Because of this, our S4 and NSF Building Capacities grants both fund peer mentoring for STEM students.
Biology is a rigorous major, and our third- and fourth-year peer mentors are here to guide newer students through a wide array of topics. From navigating the transition from high school to college, to applying for summer research, to preparing for the MCAT and GRE, our peer mentors have got your back.
Additionally, students can join the Women in Science and Health (WISH) club to further connect with their peers.
STEM Seminars
Funded by the NSF Building Capacities grant, S4 grant, and other departmental sources, these seminars connect students to professionals in STEM careers, provide opportunities to explore career options, and help students navigate the application processes for research, graduate school, and jobs. When possible, these seminars are conducted by recent graduates from the Mount, who can connect with current students and speak candidly about their experiences and suggestions. Past seminars have covered what medical school is like, what to expect from a PhD program, how to write a good CV, what it’s like to work in biotechnology, and much more.