Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum level of finanacial need to qualify?
What is the cost of attendance (COA) at Missouri State University?
What are the student's responsibilities for maintaining the scholarship?
How do I apply for a Missouri State University CSEMS scholarship?
When will I know if I have received a CSEMS scholarship?
How does the CSEMS affect my other scholarships?
Can the CSEMS scholarship be renewed?
Why are Computer Information Sciences (CIS) and Math Education majors not eligible?
What's in this program for those who don't get the scholarship?
Schedule of events open to scholarship recipients only
Schedule of events open to all students
What is the amount of the scholarship? The scholarship award is expected to be about $3,125 per year. Somewhat larger or smaller awards may be possible. The award will not be larger than the student's unmet costs at Missouri State University. [Back to Top]
"CSEMS scholarship recipients will be selected by the awardee institution, but must
- be United States citizens, nationals, refugee aliens, or permanent resident aliens at the time of application;
- be enrolled full time in computer science, computer technology, engineering, engineering technology, or mathematics degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level; [Note: the Missouri State University majors of Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Math Education are not included.]
- demonstrate academic potential or ability; and
- demonstrate financial need, defined for undergraduate students by the US Department of Education rules for Federal financial aid.
The CSEMS program at Missouri State University is primarily intended for freshmen and sophomore students, who will be given first consideration in scholarship awards. Depending on the number of freshmen/sophomore applicants, some awards may be made to upperclassmen. The availability of such awards will be announced in this space in the second half of the spring semester. You may indicate interest to Ken Vollmar.
What is the minimum level of financial need to qualify? [Back to Top]
Students must demonstrate financial need, and the level of need may be considered during selection of scholarship awards. There is no minimum level of need for this scholarship. An award will not be larger than the student's unmet costs at Missouri State University. A student's financial need is defined for undergraduates by the U.S. Department of Education as
Financial need = Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution
The Cost of Attendance, as defined by the U.S. Congress, is the total amount it will cost a student to go to school, including tuition and fees; on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students); allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, dependent care, costs related to a disability; and miscellaneous expenses. The Estimated Family Contribution is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and represents the expected family contribution toward the Cost of Attendance (see http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/2000-1/need.html).
What is the cost of attendance (COA) at Missouri State University? [Back to Top]
The estimated costs to attend Missouri State University for each year are shown below (from the 2008-2009 catalog). These figures are based on a 12 credit-hour course load, with typical courses. Several housing and meal plans are available; the amount shown is typical.
Missouri Residents:
$ 900 Estimated books and supplies
6,256 Tuition and Fees(12 hrs./semester)
5,666 Room and Board (typical)
$12,822 Total
Out-of-state Residents: pay tuition of $11,536. The cost to attend increases to $18,102.
What are the student's responsibilities for maintaining the scholarship? [Back to Top]
The NSF awarded Missouri State University this grant to address three objectives: to increase the number of newly enrolled students and the retention rate of enrolled students, to improve student performance in introductory courses in computer science and mathematics, and to increase students' interactions with workforce and graduate-level universities.
Scholarship award recipients' responsibilities include minimum enrollment and completion of CS/Math courses, etc., and participation in activities designed to meet the objectives of the grant.
Recipients will be required to meet academic goals and to attend regularly scheduled sessions with faculty mentors, workshops on professional workplace conduct, and two scheduled presentations each semester by faculty, former students, and outside speakers. These presentations will be specifically intended to connect typical student coursework and knowledge with professional and industry practice. These activities will be designed to improve student performance in introductory courses by expanding the amounts of formal contact with faculty mentors, tutoring by peers, and informal contact among students to address the isolation of individuals (especially isolation among members of underrepresented groups, e.g., women, minorities, and persons with disabilities).
Students will also be encouraged to make professional contacts, participate in tours of industry locations, attend professional conferences, and become members in student chapters of professional/academic societies. The grant will contribute up to one-half of the amount of these membership fees.
How do I apply for a Missouri State University CSEMS scholarship? [Back to Top]
- Apply to Missouri State University beginning in September for the following fall. See the procedures at Missouri State University Admissions.
- Complete financial aid forms (such as FAFSA) by Mar. 1. See the procedures at Missouri State University Financial Aid. We encourage you to use the electronic form of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov .
- Submit the Missouri State University CSEMS application materials, found at this website , no later than Mar. 1 to be guaranteed consideration.
When will I know if I have received a CSEMS scholarship? The Missouri State University Financial Aid office will notify students as soon after April 1 as possible of the amount and sources of their entire aid package, including this scholarship. [Back to Top]
How does the CSEMS affect my other scholarships? The CSEMS scholarship will not reduce other Missouri State University scholarships you may be receiving. Your total financial aid package, including scholarships, cannot exceed the cost to attend Missouri State University. [Back to Top]
Can the CSEMS scholarship be renewed? The scholarship awards are intended for freshmen and sophomores. Each student is eligible for at most two awards (i.e., two school years). Eligibility for a second year is based on satisfactory academic progress, availability of funds, etc. [Back to Top]
Why are Computer Information Sciences (CIS) and Math Education majors not eligible? Those majors are not included in the programs of study supported by this National Science Foundation grant. [Back to Top]
What's in this program for those who don't get the scholarship? Most activities, such as tutoring (and being a tutor), workshops, speakers, and tours will be open to all students. [Back to Top]
How can I become a tutor? Watch this website for further information, available in the second part of the spring semester. You may indicate interest to Ken Vollmar. [Back to Top]
- September: apply to Missouri State University for the following fall
- Mar. 1: Complete FAFSA, preferably online at www.fafsa.ed.gov .
- Mar. 1: Submit Missouri State University CSEMS application, found at this website . Consideration of applications begins on this date and continues until complete.
Schedule of events open to scholarship recipients only Answer to this FAQ is yet to be determined. [Back to Top]
Schedule of events open to all students Answer to this FAQ is yet to be determined. [Back to Top]
For more information, contact:
Dr. Ken Vollmar (Computer Science) KenVollmar@missouristate.edu , (417)836-5789
Dr. Yungchen Cheng (Mathematics Dept.) YungchenCheng@missouristate.edu , (417) 836-5112
Last updated 04/21/2008 by Ken Vollmar