Scholarships

Quicklinks

• Applications now open for the 2025-26 Academic Year (due April 1 1025): View/Start Application Now!  

• Download a FLYER!!

• Reach out to mentors: Christine von Renesse (cvonrenesse@westfield.ma.edu), Arne Christensen (achristensen@westfield.ma.edu)

• Timeline: Applications are typically due in March / April for the following academic year

• Financial Aid Contact: Cecilia Winiarski, Financial Aid Counselor, 413-572-8550, 1st Floor, Horace Mann Center, cwiniarski@westfield.ma.edu 

• STEM-ACT on the WSU Web site

• Early Career transition support: STEM-ACT Mentors and the Community of Practice

• FAQ - paperwork etc. (in progress)

Background

STEM-ACT is a program that provides scholarship support for Westfield State University STEM (Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Mathematics) secondary education students that are passionate about advancing STEM education. Students that are selected to become STEM-ACT Scholars will become part of our community of practice, which includes teacher candidates, teachers from high-need school districts, and WSU faculty. STEM-ACT Scholars receive scholarship support, testing support, and will be part of a community that seeks to make STEM a more equitable space in Massachusetts. 

STEM-ACT Description

STEM-ACT is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce Program, which addresses the need to prepare and retain highly effective mathematics and science teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. STEM-ACT Scholars will be participants in a community of practice that will support their training and retention in the program and as in-service teachers in Massachusetts high-need school districts.   

Scholarship and Benefits

• Scholarship support of $12,000 a year for the junior and senior year

• Customized wrap-around advising, professional development, and mentoring 

• Close collaboration with high-need school districts 

• Be part of a community committed to social justice and supporting STEM education in high-need school districts

• Opportunities to attend local, regional, and national conferences 

Eligibility 

• WSU undergraduate STEM Secondary Education students are encouraged to apply in their sophomore year to be admitted to the program for their junior and senior years

• Admitted Scholars agree to teach in one of the 122 MA high-need school districts for 2 years for each year of scholarship support they receive

• Must not have previously served (including concurrent service) as a K-12 teacher

• Must meet and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA and have a 3.0 minimum GPA in their education professional sequence to be eligible for practicum

• Must be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident

Application

• WSU students can apply to become a part of STEM-ACT through an online application 

• Applications for fall typically open in March (link will appear under Quicklinks above)