Are you a biology, computer science, or data science major who transferred to UNC Charlotte from a community college? Are you an excellent student who relishes a challenge? Do you have unmet financial need? If so, you may qualify for the new National Science Foundation-supported SPARC6 initiative, a partnership among UNC Charlotte, Cleveland Community College, Gaston College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and South Piedmont Community College.
This innovative initiative is possible as a result of $5 million in funding from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The collaborative effort seeks to increase the number of students who complete both associate of science and bachelor’s of science degrees in the biological sciences and computer and data science.
The STEM Persistence and Retention via Curricula, Centralization, Cohorts, and Collaboration Project will provide 156 scholarships over five years, beginning in fall 2026. For each year of the new initiative, 10-12 students at each community college will be chosen for one-year renewable scholarships, faculty and peer mentoring, and targeted advising designed to promote successful transfer to the biology or computer/data science majors at UNC Charlotte. Students will be eligible for continued scholarships and academic support when they transfer to UNC Charlotte. Any remaining scholarships at UNC Charlotte will be given to students with A.S. degrees who meet other eligibility requirements.
SPARC6 students benefit from:
- Up to four years of renewable scholarship support of up to $15,000 per year based on financial need and academic merit
- Targeted advising designed to promote successful transfer to the biology or computer/data science majors at UNC Charlotte
- Faculty and peer mentors
- Interactive hands-on STEM classes
- Research and internship opportunities
Who is eligible?
Students who successfully complete the associate of science degree at partner community colleges as scholarship recipients and who meet all eligibility criteria will automatically be offered scholarships in the biology and computer/data science majors at UNC Charlotte.
For scholarships not filled by students transferring from the SPARC6 program at the four community college partners, recruitment and selection will emphasize identifying transfer students from community colleges who:
- Have earned an AS degree
- Are high performing in math and science
- Have unmet financial need (verified through the FAFSA application)
- Are intending to major in biology or computer or data science