Science, Mathematics and Engineering Scholarship

Applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• High school seniors during the 2021-2022 school year
• High school GPA of 3.70 or greater (at your time of your application)

Scholarship recipients must major in one of 12 undergraduate academic areas:

• Actuarial Science
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Data Analytics
• Engineering – Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical
• Environmental Science
• Exercise Science
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Statistics

Interested students who meet the scholarship eligibility requirements will be asked to complete the information below when applying for the Science, Mathematics and Engineering Scholarship.

• A list of all of the science and mathematics courses, not listed on your current transcript, that you will complete before you graduate from high school.
• List and briefly describe up to three leadership experiences you have had in the past four years.
• Briefly describe why you are interested in the Science, Mathematics and Engineering Programs at St. Thomas.
• The name, email address and discipline of a teacher who would provide a letter of recommendation for you if selected as a finalist.

An invitation will be sent to qualified applicants to attend the 2022 Science, Mathematics and Engineering Scholarship alternate test day, held on Tuesday, November 30, where scholarship applicants will sign up to take tests in different STEM fields. Finalists are selected in part based upon testing results.

If selected as a finalist, we will contact the teacher you listed on your application for a letter of reference. In addition, you will be asked to provide an essay discussing your plans in science, mathematics, or engineering, and explaining how an education at St Thomas will contribute to them. Interviews of finalists will take place on January 22, 2022.

November 2, 2021 - Last day to apply for the scholarship if you wish to complete your exam at the Science, Mathematics and Engineering Day on November 6.

November 6, 2021 - Science, Mathematics and Engineering Day. Details of this event and testing modes, will be shared to invited candidates. The University will follow CDC guidelines and MDH recommendations when selecting virtual or in-person modalities.

November 15, 2021 - Last day to apply for the scholarship. 

November 30, 2021 - Alternate test day for applicants who were unable to attend the November 6 test day. 

Early January, 2022 - Finalists will be selected and asked to interview with the scholarship committee. The scholarship recipients will be chosen from these finalists.

January 11, 2022 - Last day for finalists to submit supporting transcripts to Admissions Office.

January 22, 2022 - Finalists will be interviewed by the committee.

February 2022 - Announcement of two full-tuition and three $10,000 scholarships.

How many students typically apply for the scholarship?
While numbers vary from year to year, the average number of applicants is around 200.

What is the format of the scholarship tests?
Each test will be administered at St. Thomas on a computer and will be multiple choice. Students will be given between 15-20 minutes to complete each exam (depending on subject area).

What material is covered on each test?
Click here to view the test description.

Can I use a graphing calculator for the test?
To complete the scholarship tests, you will need a scientific calculator. A graphing calculator is permitted but will not give you an advantage over students without one.