Scholarships
For Juniors and Seniors
Quicklinks
Applications now open for the 2025-26 Academic Year (due April 1 1025): View/Start Application Now!
Reach out to mentors: Christine von Renesse (cvonrenesse@westfield.ma.edu), Arne Christensen (achristensen@westfield.ma.edu)
Timeline: Applications are typically due in March / April for the following academic year
Financial Aid Contact: Cecilia Winiarski, Financial Aid Counselor, 413-572-8550, 1st Floor, Horace Mann Center, cwiniarski@westfield.ma.edu
Early Career transition support: STEM-ACT Mentors and the Community of Practice
FAQ - paperwork etc. (in progress)
Disclaimer: Recent Executive Orders and Court Orders at the federal level have prompted the potential for uncertainty around federal grant funding, including funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF). At this time, and until further notice, NSF awardees like STEM-ACT at Westfield State University should continue activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of their NSF awards (see here). However, the WSU STEM-ACT leadership group and the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs want applicants and participants to be aware of the potential for changes to the terms and conditions of federal grants which could impact awards made under the STEM-ACT grant. We will keep all stakeholders informed.
Background
STEM-ACT is a program that provides scholarship support for Westfield State University STEM (Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Mathematics) secondary education students that are passionate about advancing STEM education. Students that are selected to become STEM-ACT Scholars will become part of our community of practice, which includes teacher candidates, teachers from high-need school districts, and WSU faculty. STEM-ACT Scholars receive scholarship support, testing support, and will be part of a community that seeks to make STEM a more equitable space in Massachusetts.
STEM-ACT Description
STEM-ACT is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce Program, which addresses the need to prepare and retain highly effective mathematics and science teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. STEM-ACT Scholars will be participants in a community of practice that will support their training and retention in the program and as in-service teachers in Massachusetts high-need school districts.
Scholarship and Benefits
Scholarship support of $12,000 a year for the junior and senior year
Customized wrap-around advising, professional development, and mentoring
Close collaboration with high-need school districts
Be part of a community committed to social justice and supporting STEM education in high-need school districts
Opportunities to attend local, regional, and national conferences
Eligibility
WSU undergraduate STEM Secondary Education students are encouraged to apply in their sophomore year to be admitted to the program for their junior and senior years
Admitted Scholars agree to teach in one of the 122 MA high-need school districts for 2 years for each year of scholarship support they receive
Must not have previously served (including concurrent service) as a K-12 teacher
Must meet and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA and have a 3.0 minimum GPA in their education professional sequence to be eligible for practicum
Must be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
Application
WSU students can apply to become a part of STEM-ACT through an online application
Applications for fall typically open in March (link will appear under Quicklinks above)
Questions regarding STEM-ACT? Reach out to a member of the STEM-ACT team!
Megan Kennedy (Education): mkennedy@westfield.ma.edu
Arne Christensen (Biology): achristensen@westfield.ma.edu
Jessica Stephens (Biology): jstephens@westfield.ma.edu
Christine von Renesse (Math): cvonrenesse@westfield.ma.edu
Volker Ecke (Math): vecke@westfield.ma.edu
Shannon Gleason (Education): sgleason@westfield.ma.edu