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College of Saint Mary Receives $580,000 Grant to Fund Student Scholarships in Science and Math

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

College of Saint Mary (CSM) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $581,172 grant from The National Science Foundation in support of the university’s Marie Curie Scholars Program.

College of Saint Mary’s prestigious Marie Curie Scholars Program provides significant financial support and resources for academically-talented young women who excel in the fields of biology, mathematics, chemistry and medical terminology and want to major in one or more of these fields of study. Marie Curie Scholars may receive up to $19,000 annually for four years in gift aid, and participants also have opportunities to work as science or math tutors, participate in research fellowships, attend seminars and participate in various science clubs.

“Without the partnership with the National Science Foundation, College of Saint Mary would not be able to offer the Marie Curie Scholars Program,” stated Dr. Jeff Keyte, CSM Division Chair of Arts and Sciences. “Students receiving these scholarships will benefit from CSM’s improved science facilities and instrumentation, expanded student research opportunities, and the integration of experiential and inquiry based learning. They will also have research and instructional partnerships with faculty, external institutions and programs and perhaps most importantly, an atmosphere that exposes students to the fundamental underpinnings of science in its roles and responsibilities to society and its many applications to progress and contributions to creating the future world.”

In 2006, College of Saint Mary was awarded its first National Science Foundation STEM Scholarship Grant in order to promote and advance the education of young women in scientific disciplines. Now, in 2014, after funding over 30 Marie Curie Scholarships, CSM science students are doing research at numerous research institutions and faculty members are establishing a research focus to be used throughout the curriculum. The science building has undergone a $5 million update/remodeling project. Experiential learning and investigative laboratory experiments have begun to be infused into the science curriculum, with a commitment to continue to do so. CSM is partnering with NASA, the Henry Doorly Zoo and UNL to provide students funded research opportunities, internships and hands-on experience.

Math and Science are quickly becoming the premier programs on campus, with outstanding, accomplished graduates who are successfully gaining entry to graduate programs, professional schools and scientific careers.

Eligibility Requirements for a Marie Curie Scholarship

  • Graduate from high school by the semester preceding enrollment with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • Have a composite ACT score of 22 or higher or a combined verbal/math SAT score of 1020.
  • Apply and be accepted to College of Saint Mary by the Marie Curie application deadline, January 2015.
  • Major in biology, human biology, chemistry or math.

 

Application Requirements

  • Complete a Marie Curie Scholarship application form.
  • Submit an essay describing your interest in math or science.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation.
  • Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Interview with the College of Saint Mary Marie Curie Scholarship Selection Committee.

 

For more information please visit CSM.edu/MarieCurie.

College of Saint Mary, founded in Omaha in 1923, is the region's only Catholic college for women. With approximately 1,000 students, CSM is dedicated to the education of women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership.