STEM Scholar Intern Program

STEM Scholar Intern Program Application Guidelines

PURPOSE
The Scholar-Internship Match Fund was established to provide a match for industry scholarships and internships given to Massachusetts residents pursuing a post-secondary degree at Massachusetts public higher education institutions. Eligible students, beginning in their sophomore year, shall pursue career paths in specific science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that link directly related work experience with their academic program. These STEM disciplines directly support the economic development of the Commonwealth by fulfilling the employment needs of business and industry in high-demand fields.

The Massachusetts Scholar-Internship Program creates a framework whereby internship and scholarship funds from business, industry and others sources may be leveraged as matching resources to enhance student progress toward degrees in fields vital to the Commonwealth.

SCHOLAR INTERNSHIP AWARD VALUE
The BHE award amount is contingent upon the student receiving a corresponding industry scholarship or internship. The annual BHE Scholar Internship award to each recipient under this program shall not exceed $5,000 per student.

ELIGIBLE PROGRAM
An undergraduate degree program offered by an eligible institution in high-demand STEM areas, as designated in the Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) list, exclusive of foreign languages, as developed by the U.S. Department of Education and as amended by the Board of Higher Education. (see “BHE web site”)

ELIGIBLE STUDENT
A Massachusetts college student who meets the following criteria:

Is a permanent legal resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the start of the academic year.
Is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen eligible under Federal Title IV Regulations.
Is accepted for admission to, or is currently enrolled, full-time in an eligible program, at an eligible public institution as defined above.
Submits an application for the Massachusetts Scholar-Internship Program, and for approval must:
Meet satisfactory academic progress standards as defined by the institution, and have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all college work and meet other eligibility criteria established by the Board of Higher Education. (Note: if you have completed less than four (4) semesters of college please provide your high school transcripts)
Annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Sign an agreement to comply with the internship requirements of the Scholar-Internship Program with a designated Massachusetts employer in a career-related field under the guidance of the Board of Higher Education.
Complete the minimum number of internships as required. (If course of study is two years or less only one internship is necessary)
Upon the completion of the undergraduate degree program, seek and attain employment in a career-related field in Massachusetts.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the STEM Scholar Intern Program are available on-line at: http://www.mass.edu/home.asp. Interested applicants must be admitted or currently pursuing a certificate or degree program in an eligible occupation as defined for this program.

Applicants must also provide:
a two page essay outlining their interest in the STEM fields,
two letters of recommendation,
and college transcripts

(Tip: we encourage you to have the transcripts sent to you so that you can ensure that they are included with your application)

Mail or e-mail completed applications and additional information to:
STEM Scholar Intern Program
c/o Nicole Sotir
Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108

E-mail: nsotir at bhe.mass.edu