SMART scholarship

<p>So I have been researching the "SMART" scholarship and it looks interesting. I just received my A.A. and I believe that I am eligible for this SMART scholarship. It is for people who are computer science, engineering, math, etc majors. Basically it is for people that are getting STEM degrees. I am changing my degree audit to computer science next semester and I currently have a 3.41 GPA. However I was researching it, and it was saying that I have to work for the government after college and it also said that under the degree I couldn't take out loans or pay for my classes with pell grants either, which is bad for me because I am on those programs right now. It said that I absolutely had to go to school under the smart scholarship's money and that's it (no pell grants nor federal loans). It looked pretty good, but yet I'm not sure if it's for me, is any one else on this scholarship right now and how is it working out for you?</p>

<p>I’d suggest you go back and reread the program requirements - you seem to have misunderstood them.</p>

<p>As for working for the government . . . yes, that’s the point of the program. The government pays for your education in exchange for your commitment to accept employment with a government research facility after you graduate. If you’re not willing to do that, then this program isn’t for you.</p>

<p>Well thank you dodgers mom. I just don’t know much about this program and my college counselor could provide me with no information as well. I would be willing to work for the government doing research and that would not be a problem. The question is where would I need to go to do this, how much would they pay me for my college degree, and would it be enough to survive.</p>

<p>For goodness sakes, they’re looking for students who’s be able to get security clearance - that doesn’t sound like it’s going to involve menial labor! But you need to go back to the SMART scholarship website and read all sections of it very carefully. I’d never seen it before, but I was pretty impressed by what I saw. The scholarship offer is generous. It’s a quid pro quo: one year of work commitment in exchange for each year of scholarship. And I’m only assuming that you’d be doing research . . . I didn’t actually read any details of what the work would involve.</p>

<p>My son received this scholarship. It paid tuition and a stipend for three years of his PhD. In exchange he will work for the DoD for three years. You don’t get to choose where, and he’s certainly not worried about what he will be doing and how much he will be getting paid. </p>

<p>It is, however, extremely competitive. It certainly won’t hurt for you to apply.</p>

<p>@3bm103</p>

<p>Wow you don’t get to choose where you work. Yikes! I may look into some other popular scholarships for STEM degrees. Can anyone provide me with some information on this because I haven’t met one college financial aid counselor or adviser that could?</p>

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<p>That may be because there’s not a lot out there for transfer students. The best scholarships are provided to entering freshmen by the schools themselves. If the guidance counselor at your current school couldn’t help you, you need to start talking to the financial aid advisors at the schools you’re applying to.</p>

<p>I’m sorry I missed the deadline for this for my S3 - but it could be a great deal for the right person and I plan on reading as much as possible. It’s also interesting that it can be used for more than an undergrad.</p>

<p>@dodgersmom</p>

<p>I just started my first semester at my new school this semester. I’m a junior student, and I already have my A.A. My undergrad was in psychology, but it’s set to be changed next semester to computer science. I changed my major because it appears as though a psychology degree is worthless without at least a masters. However, I can actually get a pretty high paying job in computer science with just a bachelor’s. So given my current situation, I guess that it could be quite difficult to get a scholarship. </p>

<p>However, this is good news as well. First off, I had a high GPA when I graduated with my A.A. degree, and it was a 3.41. Next, I’m very poor and I may be eligible for some hardship scholarships. Finally, I am pursuing a STEM degree and I am told that there are quite a few scholarships for those types of degrees.</p>

<p>EDIT: I talked to the financial aid adviser at my last school and this new school as well and they know barely anything about scholarships.</p>

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<p>Who told you this? That would be the person who might be able to help you find them. Good luck!</p>

<p>@dodgersmom</p>

<p>No one told me this. It was in fact the internet who told me this. It seems like STEM degrees are the things to get now-a-days.</p>

<p>Well, unfortunately, I suspect that many of these STEM scholarships are for entering freshmen only . . . so, for you, it’s going to be a bit tougher. I hope your current school is reasonably affordable. Try to work and earn as much as you can while you’re in school, so that you can keep your debt to a minimum.</p>

<p>It can most definitely be used for more than undergrad. But again, it is highly competitive. My son had an undergrad engineering degree from UMich with a 3.8 GPA. The SMART scholarship paid his tuition, medical insurance and a generous stipend. He will graduate sometime this year and then work for the DoD doing research. If you receive the SMART scholarship you won’t need any other grants or loans since it pays everything. Oh yeah, he also gets money for books.</p>

<p>3bm103 - Does your son know yet where he will be assigned? And, was he given any opportunity to indicate a preference of assignments?</p>

<p>I’m just wondering what might happen if a student marries during grad school (after accepting the scholarship) and later finds him or herself unable to relocate because of the spouse’s job or continuing studies.</p>

<p>He knew when he accepted SMART where he would be assigned and has done internships there every summer until graduation. He had no choice at all. He did, in fact, get married during his studies and his wife knows where they will be living until he fulfills his commitment. She is also a grad student and she got jobs nearby during the summers during his internships and intends to find a job nearby when they both graduate which they are timing so they can graduate at the same time.</p>

<p>So there were no surprises . . . everything was disclosed up front. That makes a HUGE difference - the student knows what he or she is getting into!</p>

<p>Thanks for the information!</p>

<p>@3bm103</p>

<p>Did he at least have a choice as to what type of job he would be doing, or are you a complete slave to uncle Sam? Also, can you do it part time as well or is it strictly a full-time gig? I only ask because with computer science, one class builds on another, which builds on another, so many times I have to wait to take one class in order to take other classes. This is preventing me from being full time right now.</p>

<p>Jnelson - Look at the program requirements again. It does specify that applicants must be enrolled in a full-time program.</p>

<p>You’d probably do best to see about supporting yourself until you can go to school full-time . . . and then see if you’re a candidate for the SMART program.</p>

<p>By the way, if you’re apprehensive about committing to a government job, then this program isn’t for you. For a lot of students, a guaranteed job upon graduation would be a good thing . . . and a great stepping stone for further opportunities. But if you value your independence, and want to do your own thing after you graduate, then this probably isn’t a good match. And keep in mind that you’re committing your summers, as well. It’s a pretty substantial commitment!</p>

<p>@Dodgersmom</p>

<p>Yeah, you are probably right. I’m gonna try to look into scholarships for students that are part-time (if I can find any).</p>

<p>Jnelson - I think the best “scholarship” for a part-time student is a JOB! :)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>