STEP Bridge Scholarship Program

Background

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), together with Metropolitan Community College (MCC), has been awarded a $2,000,000 five year grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The purpose of this grant is to increase the number of students obtaining degrees from UNO and MCC in the STEM areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. UNO STEM departments are Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Information Science & Quantitative Analysis, Mathematics, and Physics.

As part of the STEP program MCC has created new Associate of Science degrees in Pre-Bioinformatics, Pre-Biology, Pre-Biotechnology, Pre-Chemistry, Computer Science, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Mathematics and Pre-Physics. Students who have pursued a Pre-STEM Associate Degree at MCC are eligible to apply for a STEP Bridge Scholarship to UNO to pursue a bachelor's degree at UNO in a STEM discipline.

It is anticipated that qualified students will receive Bridge Scholarships of $1000 per semester for up to three years, based on satisfactory progress towards a STEM major.

STEP Approach

The UNO STEP program, in addition to scholarship opportunities, provides all UNO students with support activities of several kinds. Walk-in tutoring services will become more available at the Durham Science Center for entry-level mathematics and science courses. Internship and cooperative learning experiences in STEM areas are being expanded. Early undergraduate research opportunities are being created.

Admission/Application

Admission to the program is based on application data, academic record, personal interview, references, and other estimates of motivation and potential success. All applicants must be citizens or legal residents of the United States and must be eligible for admission to the University of Nebraska. It is important for the applicant to clearly indicate his/her qualifications for and motivation to be a STEM major. Step scholarships are available for three consecutive academic years at UNO. Renewal beyond the first semester depends upon satisfactory performance during each semester, including demonstrable progress toward achieving a STEM major at UNO (obtain a B or better in at least one course in the major, and have at least a 3.0 overall GPA) and upon demonstration of financial need based on the FAFSA.

Midyear Applications

STEP scholarships are available to MCC transfer students beginning study at UNO in either the fall or spring semesters. Only one application is required. Scholarships are automatically renewed each semester for continuing students making progress toward a STEM major.