S4: Scholarships for Science Student Success
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S4: Empowering Your STEM Success
As an S4 Scholar, you’ll gain more than just financial support, and more. Each year, you’ll receive a scholarship along with access to a dedicated mentoring network, hands-on research opportunities, experiences, and internship opportunities. You’ll strengthen your skills, grow your confidence, and open doors to exciting career paths. Whether your passion is Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, Physics, or Math, the S4 program will help you thrive and prepare to make a meaningful impact in the STEM workforce.
Please note: for your application to be reviewed, you must have submitted the (FAFSA) or (CASFA) before submitting your application.
S4 Summer Bridge Program Aug 14-19!
Kick off your first year with a dynamic Summer Bridge experience designed to help you build academic confidence, connect with fellow S4 scholars, and find your place in STEM. Deadline to apply is May 1st
Contact Program Directors at S4@unco.edu听
Scholarships听
Focus on your future鈥攏ot your expenses. As an S4 Scholar at UNC, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 receive up to $15,000 a year for four years听to follow your passion in the Natural and Mathematical Sciences. With this support, you can stress less about costs and invest more in what matters鈥攂uilding your skills, gaining experience through paid research and internships, and preparing for a rewarding career in STEM.听
Summer Bridge & Skills for Success听听听
Start strong with the Summer Bridge Program! Before your first semester, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 join a one-week experience designed to help you feel ready, confident, and connected. During the program, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 get an inside look at college life and resources, meet mentors, advisors, and instructors, and take part in activities that build a supportive community of scholars. 驰辞耻鈥檒濒 discover your place in STEM and build the skills鈥攊nside and outside the classroom鈥攖o succeed and belong.听
The S4 Experience: Support, Research & Growth in STEM
Cohort Courses & Academic Support
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Learn and grow together. You’ll take University 101 with First Year Honors as well as foundational science classes as a cohort in a setting that is both challenging and supportive. You’ll also have access to peer tutors, giving you extra guidance to succeed in your studies while building lasting connections with your scholar community.
Support & Mentoring
Guided every step of the way. As an S4 Scholar, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 be supported by a dedicated network of mentors and advisors鈥攊ncluding peers, faculty, and proactive academic advisors. 驰辞耻鈥檒濒 also take part in bi-monthly workshops on careers, community building, the history of science, and more鈥攅quipping you with the guidance, connections, and skills to succeed in college and beyond.听
Paid Summer Research Opportunity
Gain Experience Through Hands-On Summer Research. You will have the chance to join a paid, eight-week summer research program with a faculty mentor between your first and second year. You can present your work at UNC鈥檚 Fall Symposium for Undergraduate Research or the Spring Students Showcase of Artists and Scholars. You will听also听receive financial听support to travel and share your research at national conferences. On top of that, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 get help applying for national summer research opportunities to keep growing your skills and STEM experience.听
Additional Experiences for Your STEM Success听
Step Forward on Your STEM Path. If you qualify, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 be invited to join the McNair Scholars Program, gaining hands-on research experience and preparation for graduate school during your junior and senior years. All scholars can participate in the Capstone Honors Experience, which focuses on advanced research and professional growth. 驰辞耻鈥檒濒 also have opportunities to serve as a peer mentor or tutor, building leadership skills while supporting fellow students. In addition, 测辞耻鈥檒濒 benefit from graduate school admission workshops to help you take the next step in your STEM journey.听
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Eligibility
The S4 program supports students who are passionate about STEM and have financial need. You are eligible to apply if you:
- Plan to major in an eligible STEM field
- Have at least a 3.0 high school GPA
- Are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
- eligible with demonstrated unmet financial need
How to Apply
Application Information and Process
Please note: for your application to be reviewed, you must have submitted the (FAFSA) or (CASFA) before submitting your application.
2026 Priority Application Finalists
Why did you choose to attend UNC?
What stood out to me about the University of Northern 黑料社区 was how much effort they put into showing me that I could belong there… Right from the start, I liked the smaller classes because I felt like it would be easier to build connections with professors and be more involved in class鈥� it made me feel like it was a place where I could truly be the best version of myself.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences (B.S.)
I chose to pursue a Biological Sciences B.S. at the University of Northern 黑料社区 because I want to learn how to use science to improve people鈥檚 lives. Being in this field feels like a chance to understand science on a deeper level while working toward improving real outcomes for people.
What are you most excited about as a participant in the S4 Scholarship Program?
The S4 Scholarship program is especially exciting because it gives me the chance to get into research early in college鈥� I also know there will be challenges, so having the support S4 offers鈥� is something I really value and appreciate.
Why did you choose to attend UNC?
鈥here never really was a why. I just remember freshman year I saw it on a college finder website and I became infatuated with it.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in Chemistry (B.S.)
I want to qualify to be a patent agent! Also being able to understand nature and wildlife down to a molecular level will definitely help me鈥� when I become a patent agent and rancher.
What are you most excited about as a participant in the S4 Scholarship Program?
I鈥檓 excited to have the possibility to get into internships and fun summer jobs. Having that extra help and availability from other teachers will help me excel in my STEM degree!
Why did you choose to attend UNC?
I chose UNC because of its tight-knit community feel. During the various events I attended, everyone was super friendly, and鈥� I felt comfortable approaching anyone to ask for help.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in Chemistry (B.S.)
I decided to pursue a degree in chemistry because I really enjoy learning about it. After taking various chemistry classes throughout middle and high school, I realized I have a passion for understanding how chemistry works, and that it is鈥� something I want to pursue.
What are you most excited about as a participant in the S4 Scholarship Program?
As a participant in the S4 Scholarship Program, I am most excited to participate in the Summer Bridge Program because it provides me with the opportunity to meet new people and professors. It also allows me extra time to transition into college before I dive into my studies.
Why did you choose to attend UNC?
I chose to attend the University of Northern 黑料社区 because it was both close to family and an affordable option鈥� The opportunity for research, shadowing experiences, and internships was definitely a leading factor.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences (B.S.)
I chose to pursue a degree in biology [for my interest in biomedical sciences].
What are you most excited about as a participant in the S4 Scholarship Program?
I am extremely excited for the research opportunities that the S4 program has to offer me. I am also extremely grateful for the scholarship this program has given me鈥� Now I can excel in my schoolwork without worrying about the cost.
Meet the Team
Murielle Watzky-Brewer
Associate Professor & Department Chair
Susan Keenan
Acting Dean & Professor
Victoria Duncan
Assistant Director, Mathematics and Science Teaching (MAST) Institute