Scholarships

If you are looking for biochemistry, data science or biotechnology scholarships, you have come to the right place.

For Fall 2021, we are proud to announce that we will offer five four-year $5,000 STEP Science Scholarships for incoming SVC freshmen majoring in biochemistry, data science or minoring in biotechnology. The scholarships will be in addition to Saint Vincent’s generous scholarship awards, which range up to $27,000 per year depending on academic record and test scores. Scholarship selection will be based on scholastic performance and an essay, as described below. Financial need will also be taken into account, so you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.

Students must participate for the first two years in the Collaborative Learning Program (CLP), aimed at providing students with supplemental instruction in the rigorous courses of their major. 

Science Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA or demonstrate satisfactory academic progress throughout their undergraduate career, graduating with a major in biochemistry data science or minor in biotechnology.

How to Apply for STEP Science Scholarships:

After your acceptance to Saint Vincent College, you may apply for the STEP scholarship by completing the following steps:

1. You must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. In the online application, you will be asked to verify that you have completed and submitted this form. Your application cannot be considered unless this step is completed. 
2. Visit the STEP Science Scholarship Online Application page and provide your information.
3. Complete and attach the following STEP Science Scholarship Essay question:
   

   Describe in 1,000 words or less why you want to enroll in one of the following interdisciplinary program: biochemistry, data science or biotechnology; explain why science interests you and how the field you selected will assist you in achieving your future career goal.

4. Submit your online application by pressing the 'Apply Now!' button. A confirmation will be sent to your email address. 

The deadline for receiving the completed STEP Scholarship application is Feb. 14, 2021.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact your admission counselor.

The Stanley Black & Decker Scholars program awards scholarships to outstanding first-generation college students majoring in engineering, mathematics or physics under the direction of the Dean of the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing, Dr. Stephen Jodis.

The Stanley Black & Decker Scholars program honors Edward “Eddie” W. Swink.  Eddie Swink was a man who was incredibly inventive and hardworking.  Because of where he came from he never had the opportunity to pursue higher education, however, he valued quality, innovation and learning just as Stanley Black & Decker and Saint Vincent College do.  He believed in America, was a veteran of war and believed in being the first in line for the work and last in line for the credit.  He worked tirelessly for over 40 years to send all of his three children on to higher education, including a daughter and grandson who both attended/attend Saint Vincent College.  Further, he collaborated with Jeff Ansell, Saint Vincent alumnus and Senior Vice President of Stanley Black & Decker Inc., on many products over the decades.

For Fall 2020, we will offer one $1,000 annual Stanley Black & Decker Scholarship for an incoming first-generation Saint Vincent College freshmen majoring in engineering, mathematics or physics. The scholarship will be in addition to Saint Vincent’s generous scholarship awards, which range up to $27,000 per year depending on academic record and test scores. Scholarship selection will be based on scholastic performance and an essay, as described below. Financial need will also be taken into account, so you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.

Scholarship Recipients must:

• Preference but not required; first generation college student.
• Sign a FERPA waiver enabling Saint Vincent College to report on scholarship recipients.
• Remain an engineering, mathematics or physics major at Saint Vincent College.
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA.  A student that drops below a 3.0 (but no less than 2.75) will be placed on academic probation for one semester.  If their overall GPA is not above 3.0 after the 1-semester on probation (fall or spring) the student is removed from the Scholars program.
• Scholars commit to engage with Stanley Black & Decker; examples include attending the annual meeting with Stanley Black & Decker representatives on the Saint Vincent College campus; participating in visits to the SBD facility in Towson, MD; and applying for internships and full-time employment.
• Satisfy the requirement to participate during their first two years in the Collaborative Learning Program (CLP) by attending at least 10 CLP sessions in any course that you enroll in that does have CLP. 

• Scholarship is awarded annually
• Scholarship amount:  $1,000 per year, scholars must maintain eligibility per outlined guidelines
• Scholars receive one guaranteed summer internship at Stanley Black & Decker's Global Tools & Storage headquarters in Towson, Maryland

• SBD internships length:  8 weeks; estimated timing June through end of July
• Full-time, paid weekly
• Scholars may select the summer they plan to intern; must select during fall semester of the year they choose to participate
• Room and board is provided to scholarship recipients in Towson, Maryland
• Upon performance review, the intern manager can recommend scholar to return for additional internship opportunities

• Scholars MUST maintain eligibility during their time in the scholarship program
• Scholars MUST intern with SBD a minimum of one summer
• Scholars MUST receive an approved for hire rating upon completion of their internship at SBD, by their intern manager and human resources

How to Apply for Stanley Black & Decker Science Scholarships:

After your acceptance to Saint Vincent College, you may apply for the Stanley Black & Decker scholarship by completing the following steps:

1. You must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. In the online application, you will be asked to verify that you have completed and submitted this form. Your application cannot be considered unless this step is completed. 
2. Verify that you will be a first generation college student.
3. Visit the Stanley Black & Decker Scholarship Online Application page and provide your information.
4. Complete and attach the following two Stanley Black & Decker Scholarship Essay questions:
   
   1. Describe in 750 words or less why you want to enroll in one of the following programs at Saint Vincent College: Engineering, Mathematics or Physics; explain why this discipline of study interests you and how the field you selected will assist you in achieving your future career goals.
   2. List the biggest challenge you faced and how you faced it.
5. Submit your online application by pressing the 'Apply Now!' button. A confirmation will be sent to your email address. 

Saint Vincent College’s Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing was awarded funding by the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program.   The scholarship program was offered for students considering enrollment in Saint Vincent College’s Biology Scholars: Literature, Laboratory and Leadership Program during a three year period.  Dr. Jennifer Koehl, Biology is the principal investigator in this program and Dr. Jim Kellam (Biology), Br. Albert Gahr, O.S.B. (Biology) and Dr. Stephen Jodis (Dean) are co-investigators.

The program provided funding for 18 scholarships that high school seniors were able to apply for (six each for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years) valued at up to $40,000 each over four years.   No new scholarships will be awarded after the 2015-16 academic year.  Students in the program continue with the activities and requirements of the scholarship through their senior years.

Applicants needed to reside in the Pennsylvania counties of Mercer, Venango, Butler, Jefferson, Carbon, Monroe or Schuylkill, one of the Beaver County school districts of Blackhawk, Riverside Beaver, South Side Area or Western Beaver, or one of the Erie County school districts of Corry, Fairview, Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane, North East, Northwestern, Union City or Wattsburg. Applicants must also have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be a U.S. citizen with financial need.

The scholarship award requires the student to major in biology at Saint Vincent and participate in clubs, fulfill sophomore rotations, meet with career services annually and attend or present at a local, national or international research conference in the junior or senior year. 

While the scholarship awarding phase has completed, the program continues with the students currently in the program.

The program used several pieces of information in selecting awardees including: High school grade point average; unofficial copy of SAT or ACT scores broken into the major divisions; class rank, if available; information on achievements attained in science, technology (computer), engineering and/or mathematics courses; letter of reference from a biology teacher that addresses the student’s enthusiasm for the study of biology; information on extracurricular activities, leadership roles and community service activities; essay, using specific examples, that describes why the student is drawn to the field of biology.

Questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Koehl at 724-805-2357 or jennifer.koehl@stvincent.edu.

The S-STEM Faculty Team: Dr. Jennifer Koehl (2^nd from right), Biology is the principal investigator in this program and Dr. Jim Kellam (Biology, far right), Br. Albert Gahr, O.S.B. (Biology, 2^nd from the left), and Dr. Stephen Jodis (Dean, far left) were co-investigators.

The 2013-14 Awardees: Six freshman biology majors at Saint Vincent College have been named S-STEM Scholars for the 2013-14 Academic year and awarded four-year scholarships valued at up to $40,000 each. Aaron, right, a sophomore biology major who is serving as the S-STEM upper class leader, congratulates the recipients, from left, Hannah, Erica, Esther, Kara, Alyson and Kayla. 

The 2014-15 Awardees: Five freshman biology majors at Saint Vincent College have been named S-STEM Scholars for the 2014-15 Academic year and awarded four-year scholarships valued up to $40,000 each based on strong academics and need.

Matthew, right, a sophomore biology major who is serving as the S-STEM upper class leader, congratulates the recipients, from left, Emily, Garret, Kathryn and Carrie. Absent from photo is Rachel.

The 2015-16 Awardees, from left, Peter, Maddie, Rebecca, Rachel, Bailey, Lauren and Luke

Class of 2017, Hanna, Kara, Erica, Kayla, Esther.  Absent from the photo is Alyson

Class of 2017, Hanna, Kara, Erica, Kayla, Esther, and upper class mentor, Aaron

Class of 2018 Kathryn, Rachel, Carrie, Garrett, Emily and upper class mentor Matthew (Class of 2017)

The Three S-STEM Cohorts (Classes of 2017, 2018 and 2019)

The S-STEM students, Dr. Koehl and Br. Albert Gahr O.S.B.

Conferences, Presentations and Publications

Neuroscience, San Diego, November 2016 (from left to right, Carrie, Marissa, and Dr. Michael Rhodes)

Conferences Attended but not Presented at

• Allegheny Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (ABASM) Annual Meeting at Penn State University – Behrend campus, November 2016
• ABASM Annual Meeting at University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg, November 2015
• Tri-Beta Regional Meeting, April 2016

Saint Vincent College is partnering with the Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Program of the Henry Luce Foundation to support and inspire women in science and engineering. CBL Scholarships will be awarded to  exceptional female students majoring in Computing, Engineering, or Physics. Two current sophomores will be selected this year (2019-20) to receive the award for their junior and senior years (2020-21 and 2021-22).

Since its first grants in 1989, the CBL Program has become the single most significant source of private support for women in science, mathematics, and engineering. Clare Boothe Luce, the widow of Henry R. Luce, was a playwright, journalist, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, and the first woman elected to Congress from Connecticut. In her bequest establishing the CBL program, she sought “to encourage women to enter, study, graduate, and teach” in science, mathematics, and engineering. Thus far, the program has supported more than 1,900 women. Ambassador Luce was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall Of Fame on September 16, 2017.

CBL Scholars will receive:

• Full tuition, fees, room and board for their junior and senior years, and
• Compensation for participation in a summer STEM program developing modules for use by middle and high school students or for assistance with a research project to be conducted during the summer between their junior and senior years.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A rising female sophomore majoring in Computing, Engineering Science, or Physics at Saint Vincent College; and
• A student with the intention of pursuing a graduate degree or a career in engineering or the sciences, excluding the health professions.

The selected recipients will be responsible for

• Maintaining a grade point average higher than 3.0 in one of the three required fields of study;
• Working with a faculty member to develop STEM modules for middle and high school girls or to conduct research as part of a six-week paid program from mid-May to the end of June between the junior and senior years;
• Serving as mentors and role models to Saint Vincent freshman and sophomore students majoring in science and engineering;
• Serving as CLP leaders or tutors;
• Participating in activities to promote the sciences to female high school students, such as  the Pasta Engineering Bridge Competition or Cybersecurity Day;
• Speaking to high school students at SVC’s Get Acquainted Days; and
• Meeting regularly with the Dean of the Boyer School to discuss participation in these activities.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of:

• Academic goals,
• Career goals, and
• Service goals.

Applications are due by February 14, 2020. Recipients will be selected based on their grades, their responses to the short essay questions, and the letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Notifications are expected in March or April. Submit your online application by pressing the Apply button. A confirmation will be sent to your email address.