Applications now being accepted for TCC’s STEM Promise Program

High school seniors who want to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can now apply to Tidewater Community College for a scholarship that pays four semesters of tuition and fees in full.

The TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Program, designed to boost the number of women and minorities in the STEM fields, will award 20 scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year. Recipients will graduate ready to enter a career or to transfer to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

TCC’s Educational Foundation began the STEM Promise Program last spring with an inaugural class of 10 scholars.

“Women and minorities in the STEM disciplines continue to be underrepresented in our workforce,” said President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “We made a promise to change that last May by launching a scholarship program to expand the STEM pipeline in Hampton Roads.”

STEM Promise Program scholars benefit from TCC’s smaller class sizes and interaction with professors who are interested in their success. They receive specialized support from dedicated advisors and STEM career exploration and mentoring from the college’s Women’s Center.

To be eligible a student must:

be eligible for in-state tuition;
have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher;
place into College Composition (English 111) and College Algebra (Math 158) or higher;
provide two letters of recommendation from a STEM teacher, counselor or employer.

Scholarship recipients must enroll as full-time students in one of the following TCC programs:

These associate degrees transfer to many programs at four-year institutions. Graduates may be eligible for a Two-Year Transfer Grant from Virginia’s Community Colleges, which provides up to $3,000 per year for STEM students who finish their final two years at particular Virginia public universities.

Although the scholarship is aimed at women and minorities, anyone can apply. The deadline is March 2, 2018.

Before applying for the STEM Promise scholarship, students must first apply for admission to TCC. From there, apply for the scholarship by visiting www.tcc.edu/stempromise.

For more information, contact the TCC Enrollment Team at 757-822-1111 or enroll@tcc.edu.

Elizabeth River Crossings donated $120,000 to fund the first class of STEM scholars. To donate in support of the program, contact Tamara Robinson, TCC’s associate director of annual giving and alumni relations, at 757-822-1209 or trobinson@tcc.edu.