What are the benefits to students who are part of SPARC6?
- Four-year renewable scholarships (2 years at community college and 2 years at UNC Charlotte) of up to $15,000 per year based on financial need and academic merit
- Targeted advising designed to promote successful transfer to the biology, computer science, or data science 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 SPARC6 scholar?
Students who successfully complete the associate of science degree at Cleveland Community College, Gaston College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, or South Piedmont Community College as a scholarship recipient and who meet all eligibility criteria at UNC Charlotte will automatically be offered scholarships in the biology, computer science, or data science major 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 are high performing in math/science, have unmet financial need, and are intending to major in biology, computer science, or data science, but have not been prior recipients of scholarships.
How do I apply to the SPARC6 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 $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, Cleveland Community College, Gaston College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and South Piedmont 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 Humanities and Earth & Social Sciences at UNC Charlotte (particularly the Department of Sociology).