2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper presents preliminary findings from a study investigating the influence of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) program on community college transfer students pursuing engineering degrees at a large public university. The S-STEM program provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to support academically talented, low-income undergraduate students in STEM fields. Beyond financial aid, S-STEM integrates evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities designed to enhance recruitment, retention, and student success.

Community colleges serve as a vital entry point for aspiring engineers, but transferring to a four-year university comes is fraught with unique challenges. Nationally, while 80% of community college students express the intention to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree, more than half of those who transfer fail to do so, with low-income, underrepresented minority, and non-traditional students facing the greatest barriers such as tuition expenses and work-study-life imbalance. The S-STEM scholarship is intended to address some of these challenges by providing financial support as well as academic and social interventions.

This study explores how the S-STEM scholarship influences students’ decision-making in pursuing and persisting in their STEM education and careers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 23 students and four focus groups comprising 16 additional students. All participants are community college transfer students enrolled in engineering programs.

Preliminary findings reveal that the S-STEM scholarship plays a significant role in supporting students across four key domains: academic choices, community engagement, motivation and persistence, and career development. Academically, the scholarship provides access to study groups and peer networks that help students navigate difficult coursework, enhance their learning, and remain focused on their educational goals. This communal support reinforces their commitment to STEM fields and broadens their understanding of career options through exposure to projects and insights from peers and alumni.

The S-STEM scholarship enhances students’ motivation and persistence by providing a supportive environment and financial security. Being surrounded by driven peers and receiving financial aid boosts students’ commitment to their studies and helps them overcome doubts about their major. The S-STEM program fosters a sense of camaraderie, encouraging students to decide to persist toward an engineering bachelor’s degree.

S-STEM provides students with information about internship and career opportunities, which can otherwise be challenging to access. Access to career-related resources and guidance helps students navigate their career paths more effectively, making informed decisions about their future. Additionally, the S-STEM scholarship informs participants' future aspirations by offering personal and professional development, educational and research opportunities, and access to resources and informational support. Participants highly value the scholarship's role in contributing to their academic success and shaping their engineering career trajectories.