Below you can find the eligibility requirements to receive funding through the CES|CS scholarship program and continue that funding every semester.
Major Requirements
Recipients of the CES|CS scholarship must be admitted to USF as a full-time degree-seeking student majoring in Computer Science.
To continue and receive funding, recipients must remain a full-time student (12+ unit hours) in the CS major. If recipients switch majors, they will no longer be eligible to receive this scholarship.
Academic Performance
Applicants must meet ONE of the following requirements to be eligible for the initial CES|CS scholarship:
-
Must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, OR…
-
Must have a SAT score of 1250 or higher, OR…
-
Must have an ACT score of 28 or higher
To continue receiving funding, recipients must meet the following criteria at the end of every semester:
-
Must have both a major GPA and overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
-
Must participate in all required program activities. Should there be time conflicts that prevent participation, scholars can work out alternatives with program administrators.
Recipients that fail to meet the GPA criteria for a semester will be placed on probation. Recipients that fail to meet the criteria for two semesters in a row will not be eligible to renew the scholarship.
Citizenship Status
The funding for this scholarship program is for domestic students in the United States. Specifically, recipients must:
Be citizens of the United States, nationals of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), aliens admitted as refugees under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Please note that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals are ineligible for support from this solicitation unless they meet the requirements listed in the first sentence of this bullet;
See the Eligibility Information for NSF S-STEM supported scholarships for details.
Low Income
The NSF S-STEM program is focused on the “increased success of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).” To be considered “low-income”, recipients of the CES|CS scholarship must meet the following eligibility criteria:
-
You must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted along with your USF application.
-
You must have unmet financial need prior to the application of this scholarship.
-
You must be considered “low income” as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
If applicants do not yet have their financial aid packets and are unsure of their low-income eligibility, they can still apply for the scholarship. Low-income eligibility will be verified prior to awarding the CES|CS scholarship.
Continued Funding
To continue receiving funding, recipients must meet the following criteria at the end of every semester:
-
Must remain a full-time student (12+ unit hours) in the CS major.
-
Must have both a CS major GPA and overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
-
Must continue to qualify as low-income (see above).
-
Must participate in all required program activities. Should there be time conflicts that prevent participation, recipients can work out alternatives with program administrators.
Recipients that fail to meet the GPA criteria for a semester will be placed on probation. Recipients that fail to meet the criteria for two semesters in a row will not be eligible to renew the scholarship.