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Grants Administration

Computer Science, Mathematics & Technology (CMT)
Academic Rewards Program

Student Selection Process and Eligibility Criteria

Identification. Upon notification of the award, Calhoun Community College's Public Relations Department, under the direction of the PI, will issue news releases, set-up a web-page and develop appropriate materials to market the Project. The PI will advise all college personnel about the Project through electronic and printed media. CMT faculty, staff with recruiting assignments, college counselors, and financial aid staff will all attend a working session to understand the Project and then will assist in identification of potential Scholars. Applications will be available in the Financial Aid Office, on the College's web site, in brochures disseminated throughout the four-county service area, and in the CMT departmental offices. Students from underrepresented populations such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities will be actively recruited. Directors of college and area programs targeting these populations will be fully informed and their assistance sought in identification of potential Scholars.

Admissions staff, assisted by faculty from various disciplines, recruit high school students for all programs. Visits to high schools, coupled with on-campus activities, including Career Day, College Day, Science Fair, Scholars' Bowl, Workforce Expo, Robotics Workshops, Tech Prep Symposiums, and the Computing Olympiad attract many high school students and facilitates exploration of Calhoun's unique learning opportunities. These resources and activities will help identify potential Scholars.

Application. All scholarship applicants will be required to submit a scholarship application, documentation of need, transcripts, a short essay on their career goals, a plan for use of the funds for one year, and at least two letters of recommendation from employers, former teachers, or other professionals with insight into the character and maturity of the applicant. Each applicant will be provided individual guidance in completing the application process.

Eligibility. Recipients must meet the following eligibility criteria, which are based upon the NSF program guidelines and designed to reward academic excellence. The criteria are:

• Be a United States citizen, national, refugee alien, or permanent resident alien at the time of application;
• Be enrolled full time each semester, with an identified major in computer information systems, mathematics, or advanced technology;
• Demonstrated academic potential or ability defined as a minimum 2.75 overall grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in high school or postsecondary studies;
• Demonstrated financial need defined as Pell Grant eligibility;
• Demonstrated motivation, maturity and commitment to a CMT career; and
• Potential impact of the award on the student's retention and success.

Selection of Scholars. The CMT Academic Rewards Project Advisory Team will review scholarship applications prior to each semester. The review will be conducted as soon as possible the first year and in late spring in years 2, 3, and 4 to give awardees time to plan for fall college attendance. The spring and summer reviews will be held immediately after grades are processed for fall and spring, respectively. Scholars selected will be those the PAT members believe will be most likely to be successful and retained as full-time college students as a result of the scholarship support and guidance of the project. Special consideration will be given to students who belong to underrepresented groups (minorities, female, and individuals with disabilities.) The CMT Academic Rewards Program will provide scholarships to assist academically capable, financially needy, full-time students to complete their programs of study.

Rationale for the Number of Scholarships Requested. Total enrollment of majors in all eligible programs is 855. Of these, approximately 55% are Pell eligible which means about 470 students could be considered for these scholarships. Funding will not exceed $3,125 per Scholar for any given academic year, and will be awarded based upon the Scholar's need after all other financial resources have been tapped, including Pell Grants. As explained in detail in the Budget, the minimum amount based upon the Pell student budget will be $1470 per scholarship. The amount will be recommended to the PAT by the financial aid office based upon the student's Pell information, Pell unmet need figure, the plan for use of the funds submitted with the application, and whether or not the student needs to attend a summer session to complete in two years. Calhoun Community College is requesting $100,000 annually to support forty (40) scholarships for full-time students majoring in computer information systems, math, or technology.

Requirements to Continue as a Scholar. All Scholars must maintain eligibility according to the award criteria and participate in the required activities. These are: participate in personal and professional enrichment activities of three semester hours total of "Real World" Readiness Workshops in sessions offered with their cohorts, participate in one work-based learning experience during the term scheduled with the Scholar, bi-weekly contact with an assigned Faculty Mentor during the first semester as a Scholar, twice per term thereafter. At those meetings, the Scholar and Faculty Mentor will evaluate student status and address any concerns that might impact student success in the CMT Academic Rewards Project. Student tutors will be available if required to assist. At the end of each semester, the PAT will evaluate each scholarship recipient to determine continued eligibility. (Only a second year scholarship budget instead of a complete application will be required to continue the scholarship.) A student whose GPA falls below 2.75 in any one semester or does not participate in required activities will be placed on probationary status for the following semester. (Faculty Mentors may excuse Scholars from project activities with reason.) The probationary Scholar will be required to attend regular tutoring sessions and to meet bi-weekly with the faculty mentor. At the end of the term, if the GPA continues to be less than 2.75, the student will be removed from scholarship status. Each scholarship award can be continued for up to two years, assuming the student continues to meet eligibility requirements.

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