C3STEM: Community Colleges Collaborating in STEM

C₃STEM Provides Scholarship Funds of $10,000 Per Year

Overview of the Program

C₃STEM is a partnership between Mount St. Mary’s University, Frederick Community College, and Montgomery College to support community college transfer students at Mount St. Mary’s University as they prepare for a future career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). C₃STEM provides scholarship funds of $10,000 per year and a comprehensive pre- and post-transfer support system designed to improve student retention and promote placement in a STEM career or graduate education. This program is funded by the National Science Foundation’s S-STEM (Scholarships in STEM) program, which seeks to broaden the participation and success of underrepresented students in STEM by increasing the number of academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is designed for students transferring from area community colleges who want to complete a B.S. degree at MSMU in preparation for a STEM career. STEM, as defined by the National Science Foundation, does not include careers in the health professions.

Applicants for C₃STEM must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Have completed 60 community college credits by fall of 2024
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or an alien admitted as a refugee
• Have a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in their STEM community college classes and overall
• Intend to major in biology, chemistry, data science, environmental science, math, computer science or cybersecurity

Apply for FREE Online

• Learn about transferring to the Mount and complete our free online transfer application.
• Complete the C₃STEM Scholarship Application. In addition to completing the application, you will submit a writing sample from a graded assignment in a community college course and one letter of recommendation from a community college professor familiar with your potential to succeed in STEM.
• Applicants are required to complete the FAFSA. The Mount St. Mary’s Title IV School Code is 002086.
• Complete C₃STEM applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1, 2024. Finalists will be invited to interview.

Complete the C3STEM Application

Components of the C₃STEM Program

Pre-transfer support (after acceptance and before matriculation):

• Intensive advising by community college and MSMU faculty
• Academic transition planning
• Career development planning
• Opportunities to participate in MSMU curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular events (e.g., sit in on classes; attend seminars, athletic events, events sponsored by Student Life, etc.)

Post-transfer support (after matriculation):

• Support from peer mentors
• Academic Skills for Success course
• Monthly Scholar meetings for goal-setting, activity planning and educational programming
• Intensive faculty advising
• Individualized career counseling
• Funds available for professional development activities
• Research stipend