On Feb. 13, St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) announced that it will be introducing the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to Brooklyn and Long Island students starting later this semester.
CSTEP is funded by grants from the New York State Department of Education through 2030 and aims to provide economically disadvantaged students a greater opportunity to pursue degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) or health-related fields. The program offers various opportunities that might otherwise be financially inaccessible to students. SJNY joins a list of more than 70 colleges and universities across the state that offer the program.
“Although it does not offer students a traditional scholarship, it offers students a value of up to $2,000 per academic year, if they take advantage of all that CSTEP has to offer,” says Kelly Cortes, director of grants and foundation relations at SJNY.
Offerings of the program include supplemental instruction in key foundational courses and specialized tutoring from individuals hired by CSTEP for those further along in their degree. This additional access to academic assistance is provided alongside help with graduate school admissions, as well as stipends for research, textbooks and the cost of attending conferences. Other academic and career development activities are available based on individual career goals.
The benefits of CSTEP will be offered to 37 full-time students at the University per academic year, for the next five years.
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled at SJNY, residents of New York state, in good academic standing, pursuing a career in a STEM or health-related field, and have a financial need.
Applications for the program are currently being accepted through Mar. 6. For additional inquiries, students may contact Kelly Cortes at kcortes@sjny.edu.
