What are the benefits to students who are part of SPARC4?
- Three-year renewable scholarships of up to $10,000 per year based on financial need and academic merit
- Targeted advising designed to promote successful transfer to the biology or pre- biology major at UNC Charlotte and increased success after enrolling at UNC Charlotte
- Faculty and peer mentors
- Interactive hands-on STEM classes
- Research and internship opportunities
Who is eligible to be a SPARC4 scholar?
Students who successfully complete the associate of science degree at Gaston College or Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as a scholarship recipient and who meet all eligibility criteria at one of the partner community colleges will automatically be offered scholarships in the biology major at UNC Charlotte.
For scholarships not filled by students transferring from the SPARC4 program at the two community college partners, recruitment and selection will emphasize identifying transfer students from community colleges who are high performing in math/science, have unmet financial need, and are intending to major in biology, but have not been prior recipients of scholarships.
How do I apply to the SPARC4 program?
View the eligibility and application process here.
Where does the funding come from for this initiative?
This innovative initiative is possible as a result of $4.5 million in funding from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program.
Who are the partners?
The primary partners are UNC Charlotte, Gaston College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Collaborators at each institution include faculty from diverse disciplines, as well as institutional leadership. The lead organization at UNC Charlotte is the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at UNC Charlotte (particularly the Department of Biological Sciences, but also including other academic departments). UNC Charlotte partners also include the University Transfer Center, which is a resource for transfer students.