NSF Discovery Scholars Program
The National Science Foundation Discovery Scholars Program at the University of St. Thomas is for academically talented incoming undergraduate students interested in a career in bioscience or computer science. The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is designed to support the needs of low-income students interested in pursuing a career in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, or computer science.
Each scholarship provides an annual award of up to $10,000, is renewable for up to three years to support a total of four years of study. This scholarship can be combined with other St. Thomas scholarships and federal aid. In addition, NSF Discovery Scholars will be part of a residential Living and Learning Community in their first year of study, focusing on science identity and career possibilities.
As an NSF Discovery Scholar, you will receive one-on-one faculty mentoring, peer support, career counseling, and specialized networking opportunities.
Contact
Dr. Roxanne Prichard
What You Need to Know
Eligibility
An individual who meets ALL the following requirements is eligible to apply:
- Has a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater.
- Is admitted to the University of St. Thomas.
- Has completed the FAFSA and is Pell grant eligible or Minnesota State grant eligible.
- Is a US citizen, permanent US resident, US national or admitted refugee.
- Scholarship recipients must intend to major in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or computer science.
To remain eligible, a student must:
- Declare a biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or computer science major when they reach junior status.
- Attend the University of St. Thomas full-time.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA and not earn below a 1.7 in any course.
Application Process
Students who have met the scholarship eligibility requirements are invited to submit an online scholarship application. The online application will ask you to identify your intended area of study, list your senior year math and science classes, write about some activities or experiences from outside the classroom that are meaningful to you and respond to questions about why the science major you identified interests you, and how you might use your studies in computer or biosciences to help people make better decisions or make progress in resolving a current problem of interest to you. If you are selected for consideration, you will be asked to participate in a 10-15 minute phone interview.
If you have questions about this scholarship, you may contact the NSF Discovery Scholarship Coordinator, Dr. Roxanne Prichard, at jrprichard@stthomas.edu.
Deadline for applications is February 15, 2024.
Eligibility
An individual who meets ALL the following requirements is eligible to apply:
- Has a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater.
- Is admitted to the University of St. Thomas.
- Has completed the FAFSA and is Pell grant eligible or Minnesota State grant eligible.
- Is a US citizen, permanent US resident, US national or admitted refugee.
- Scholarship recipients must intend to major in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or computer science.
To remain eligible, a student must:
- Declare a biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or computer science major when they reach junior status.
- Attend the University of St. Thomas full-time.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA and not earn below a 1.7 in any course.
Application Process
Students who have met the scholarship eligibility requirements are invited to submit an online scholarship application. The online application will ask you to identify your intended area of study, list your senior year math and science classes, write about some activities or experiences from outside the classroom that are meaningful to you and respond to questions about why the science major you identified interests you, and how you might use your studies in computer or biosciences to help people make better decisions or make progress in resolving a current problem of interest to you. If you are selected for consideration, you will be asked to participate in a 10-15 minute phone interview.
If you have questions about this scholarship, you may contact the NSF Discovery Scholarship Coordinator, Dr. Roxanne Prichard, at jrprichard@stthomas.edu.
Deadline for applications is February 15, 2024.