Senator Ken LaValle Announces Availability of STEM Scholarships for Graduating High School Students

The New York State Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program provides a full SUNY tuition scholarship to the top ten percent of students in New York high schools if they major in a STEM field and work in a STEM job in New York State for five years after graduation.

“This innovative program will encourage our young, bright, aspiring students to remain on Long Island as they build their careers, futures and families.  I have worked hard to bring state investment into economic development in our region, and the STEM program is another component necessary to encourage our young talent to stay here as we work to create lasting, good paying jobs. I’m glad we are able to offer the STEM scholarships and I encourage eligible students to apply.” said Senator LaValle.

To be eligible for a STEM award, a student must be attending a New York State high school and be ranked in the top ten percent of his/her graduating class (beginning with the 2014 graduating class), and enroll in full-time study at a SUNY in the fall term following high school graduation. Award details and applications are available at the New York State Higher Education Services (HESC) website at HESC.ny.gov. Applications are due August 15, 2014.

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About HESC: HESC is New York State’s student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC’s core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2012-13, HESC helped more than 342,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing more than $979.4 million in grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness benefits, including $931 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).