Scholarships for Mathematics, Engineering, Science and IT Students

Scholarships for Upward Mobility (SUM)

Interested in engineering, science, math, computer science or information technology?

Apply for a TCC SUM scholarship!

(Click here for an application form)

The SUM program has appoximately $36,000 per academic quarter (fall, winter, spring) to give away in scholarships to TCC students! Scholarship amount range from under $300 per year to $10,000 per year, depending on Financial Need as determined by your FAFSA.

The SUM program is currently full. Due to a strong first round of applications, all funds have been awarded. There will not be a second round consideration. Please check back on this webpage during Fall quarter to determine if applications will be accepted for winter quarter 2010.

• Financial Support
  
  • On average, $4500 per year per scholarship.  Actual amount may be more or less, depending on financial need, as determined by FAFSA and the TCC Financial Aid Office. Scholarships have ranged from under $300 to $10,000 per year.
  • Scholarships may be started in fall, winter or spring and will be continued from quarter to quarter as long as the student continues to meet eligibility requirements, is making successful progress toward their degree and participates in enrichment activities.
    
• Academic Support and Enrichment
  
  • Cohort groups- Students will be grouped with other students who have similar academic interests.  Cohort groups will participate in activities related to their career interests, as well as mentoring and team development. 
  • Undergraduate research opportunities – Some students may participate in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community College Institute in Science and Technology, a 10 week summer research experience.  Native American students may attend summer programs at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.   Other students may work on the Nisqually Habitat on the Nisqually Delta.
  • Partnership with four-year institutions – Our program is partnering with a number of four year institutions to provide additional opportunities for SUM scholars.  Partner institutions include: the University of Washington (Seattle and Tacoma), Washington State University, Seattle University, and Pacific Lutheran University.
    
• To apply, students must have the following qualifications:
  
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll as a full time student (12 or more credits) at TCC.  (Note: Running Start students are not eligible.)
  • Plan to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, math, or computer science, or an associate's degree in information technology. Students who are selected will be required to take approved classes that are appropriate for their intended degree program. (Note: Medical professional/technical programs such as nursing are not eligible. Pre-med and pre-pharmacy degrees are not eligible; however, those planning to earn a BS degree in a science, such as biology or chemistry, are eligible.)
  • Demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, available on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.  (Note: Students are eligible for this scholarship even if they have already exceeded the credit limits for financial aid.)
  • Be a United States citizen, national, refugee, or permanent resident at the time of application.  (Note: International students are not eligible.)
  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA cumulative or 2.5 GPA for the last year of academic study. Individuals who completed high school more than five years ago and who have not attended college in the last ten years may submit substitute other indicators of potential for success. (See application for details.)

Women, minorities, students with disabilities, and returning adults are encouraged to apply. 

SUM scholars will be selected by an application committee.   Approximately 20-25 scholarships will be active at any given time.  For more information and applications, please contact:  Dr. Rebecca Sliger, rsliger@tacomacc.edu, 253.460.4428. 

Click here for an application form.

These scholarships were made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation.  Scholarships are available through Fall Quarter 2010.

Tacoma Community College has many other scholarships available through the TCC Foundation.