STEM Scholars Program

If you are a student pursuing a degree or career in STEM, Oakton College’s STEM Scholars program and scholarship can help provide additional support and guide you through your academic and professional goals.

Students with demonstrated financial need are eligible for the STEM Scholars scholarship and program. The STEM scholarship provides financial support while the STEM Scholars program invites its students to various professional development events, shared cohort experiences, and engage in undergraduate research. 

The STEM Scholars program values diversity and individuality, highly encouraging people of color, females, and LGBTQIA students to apply.

All qualified applicants are welcome!

Benefits of being a STEM Scholar: 

  • Scholarship
    Financial support covers tuition, fees, and associated school and living costs up to the cost of attendance.
  • Faculty Mentor
    A one-on-one relationship with a dedicated STEM faculty mentor.
  • Research Experience
    Opportunity to engage in research coursework at Oakton and summer research internships at partner universities/institutions.
  • STEM Scholar Community
    Connection with other STEM scholars in interdisciplinary courses, symposia, presentations, and other informal club activities.
  • Advising Support
    Proactive advising with both academic and financial advisors to ensure successful and timely completion of studies.
Syeda Samiha

"I knew I was interested in STEM, but I also wanted to do something creative. Oakton’s STEM Scholars Program supported me as I explored my interests, connected me to professionals in the field, and offered various hands-on experiences. I am happy to give back to this program through the work I’ve done during my internship and opportunities that came through the STEM Scholars Program."

Read more about Syeda's story here.

Syeda Samiha

Member of STEM Scholars

Gloria Liu
"The kind of students who would enjoy the support from the STEM Scholars Program are students who are motivated and determined but don't have the resources (scholarship, knowledge, and network) to reach their STEM goals."

Gloria Liu

Coordinator and Co-Director, Center for Promoting STEM, S-STEM Co-principal Investigator

Mario Borha
"We want to make sure that there is diversity in the STEM field and to do that students should be given the opportunity to see themselves in it. This program provides that opportunity. And eventually, our students will become the mentors to the next generation of STEM mentors."

Mario Borha

Associate Professor, Mathematics, S-STEM Co-principal Investigator

Suzanne Ziegenhorn
"Through my participation in this program, I have had the opportunity to work with individuals across the college and learn so much from my teammates. It gave me the chance to continue my own education and challenge me each and every day. And I love it."

Suzanne Ziegenhorn

Professor of Biology, S-STEM Lead Principal Investigator

Sanele Stewart

"Through the STEM Scholars program, I attended seminars and listened to people working in the field. Meeting people in the field you want a career in makes you start to believe you can do it too."

Read more of Sanele's story here.

Sanele Stewart

Member of STEM Scholars

Learn More About STEM At Oakton

Eligibility Requirements


  1. Interest in pursuing a degree or career in a STEM field.
  2. Full or part-time enrollment (full-time preferred). 
  3. U.S. Citizen or non-citizen who is a permanent resident or refugee.
  4. Minimum unweighted GPA of 2.8
  5. This program is designed for students who have not completed EGL102, humanities, and BIO106 courses.

STEM Scholarship Application (PDF) (390kb)

Girl in front of computer

Application Process

The application for the STEM Scholars program is incorporated as part of Oakton's General Scholarship Application.

Oakton’s Scholarship Application is a system that automatically searches through our database to match scholarships based on your profile. If you’ve selected a STEM discipline as an interest during the application process, you’ll be invited to complete an application for the STEM scholars program. 

Please contact stemscholar@oakton.edu if you have any questions about how to apply or about your eligibility.

Learn More About Oakton's General Scholarship Application

We can also offer you feedback on your application essay.

After completing the STEM Scholars application, you will be asked to submit the following: 

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Completed essay describing your interest in your particular STEM field.
  • One letter or recommendation from a high school or college faculty.
  • Official copy of high school transcript and unofficial college transcript (if applicable) 

STEM Scholarship Application (PDF) (390kb)

Contact Us

 Please contact stemscholar@oakton.edu if you have any questions.