Start your engineering career with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) S-STEM Scholarship!
The application portal for the scholarship is currently closed. For more information, contact Dr. Wes Hitt at ghitt@coastal.edu.
Program Information
The S-STEM CARES @ CCU Engineering Scholarship program aims to support high-achieving, low-income undergraduate engineering science majors with demonstrated financial need. The S-STEM CARES program will provide a renewable, last-dollar scholarship (up to $15,000 after all other grants and scholarships have been taken into account) to *eligible incoming first-year students who have applied to CCU for Fall 2024 and are majoring in Engineering Science through graduation (up to eight semesters of support).
*Continue to check this website in the months ahead for program and application updates.*
During their time in the program, scholars will participate in various activities in support of their studies and career aspirations, such as a summer bridge program, mentoring from peers, faculty, and later, job-site mentors, specialized course schedules for introductory courses, and early, paid research and internship experiences. This program is funded through the National Science Foundation S-STEM grant (FAIN 2325921).
Thank you for your interest in S-STEM CARES @ CCU. Incoming students may apply for the CARES scholarship program in Fall 2025. Six selected students will participate in an enhanced welcome week, a summer bridge program focused on math-readiness and engineering design, reside on-campus together in specialized housing, and take many of the same introductory classes together.
The application portal is currently closed. Please contact Dr. George Hitt at ghitt@coastal.edu for more information. Continue to check this website for program and application updates.
If you plan to major in Engineering Science, intend to start a career in engineering, either by obtaining a job in industry after graduation or going to graduate school for an advanced degree, have demonstrated financial need, and are excited for academic and career support for your success in engineering, this may be the program for you!
To remain in the program, CARES Scholars must maintain the following:
Live in residential communities operated by University Housing during the summer bridge and first two full academic years.
A declared major in Engineering Science at CCU. All concentrations in Engineering Science are eligible.
Full-time student status with a minimum semester GPA of 2.0/4.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0.
Be on track to graduate in four years and intend to enter the engineering workforce. Intent to enter the engineering workforce means that you want to either a) obtain a job in industry or government in engineering or b) go to graduate school in an engineering field after graduation.
Students are expected to participate in all CARES program activities that are provided for Scholars as part of the program.
*See the complete list of activities below. *
Scholars accepted into the program will participate in the following:
Enhanced orientation week with fellow scholars and CCU S-STEM Program Team
Cohort housing with fellow scholars
Summer bridge program courses in mathematics and engineering design
Cohort scheduling of courses with fellow scholars
First-year research experience with other students in the major to foster peer interactions
Peer and faculty mentoring throughout the eight semesters
Early internship employment in the summer as a rising sophomore
Mentoring by a job-site supervisor during the internship
Determine your potential eligibility. If you answer *yes *to the following questions, you are eligible to apply to the CARES Scholars program.
Are you an incoming first-year student who has applied to CCU for Fall 2025 start?
Will you declare a major in Engineering Science?
Do you intend to enter the engineering workforce? Intent to enter the engineering workforce means that you want to either a) obtain a job in industry or government in engineering or b) go to graduate school in an engineering field after graduation.
Do you aspire to do well academically?
Do you have demonstrated financial need (are you Pell-eligible)?This last question may be difficult to answer. The best way to determine this is by filling out the FAFSA; see the information below.
The application portal is currently closed. Please contact Dr. George Hitt at ghitt@coastal.edu for more information. Continue to check this website for program and application updates.
Note:Completing the FAFSA isNOTan acceptance of financial aid. It is the determination of eligibility for financial aid. You will receive details on your specific financial aid offer and how to accept it only after determining eligibility. Likewise, completing the FAFSA is important in confirming whether you are eligible for the S-STEM program (up to eight semesters of support). Find information about filling out the FAFSA at theCCU Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
2. Complete the application.
The application portal is currently closed. Please contact Dr. George Hitt at ghitt@coastal.edu for more information. Continue to check this website for program and application updates.
Questions
If you have any questions about the program or application, please contact Dr. George Hitt, department chair for the Department of Physics and Engineering Science, at ghitt@coastal.edu.
If you have any questions about the FAFSA, please contact the CCU Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at finaid@coastal.edu or 800-277-7000, extension 2313.
Coastal Carolina University is a comprehensive, public liberal arts institution in Conway, South Carolina. More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with world-class faculty and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 145 student clubs and organizations.
