The S-STEM Husky PAWS scholarship is awarded competitively to incoming first-year
students who are Pell-eligible and majoring in Applied Geophysics, Applied Physics/Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering,
Computer Engineering, Computer Network & System Administration, Computer Science,
Cybersecurity, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology,
Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, Geospatial Engineering, General Computing, General Engineering, Materials Science
and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics,
Mining Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Software Engineering.
These scholarships are made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation’s
Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program,
which seeks to increase the number of low-income, academically talented students with
demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields.
*Husky PAWS Scholars will be required to participate in a 3-week Summer Bridge 1-credit course prior to the start of their first semester, followed by Prep4Tech and Orientation Week.
Award Value
S-STEM Husky PAWS scholarships will meet student's remaining unmet need (after all
other scholarships and aid are awarded), up to $15,000 each year for undergraduate
students, and up to $20,000 for students pursuing a master's degree.
For the four-year Husky PAWS scholarship:
- Any new incoming first-year undergraduate student AND
- Majoring in engineering, computing, or physics programs AND
- Pell-eligible
*Transfer students may be eligible if they intend to major in engineering, computing,
or physics and none of their transfer credits apply to the major they are enrolling at Michigan Tech.
For the one-year Husky PAWS finishing scholarship:
- Any current Michigan Tech student with senior standing AND
- Majoring in engineering, computing, or physics AND
- Pell-eligible
*Students pursuing an accelerated master's degree are strongly encouraged to apply.
Students from all different backgrounds have a familial culture and a community culture,
and there are assets that come from that lived experience. We are looking at the Cultural
Wealth of Students (Yosso, 2005). Other terms for wealth are capital or assets, which
comes in the form of
- Aspiration is the ability to sustain hopes and dreams for the future in the face of real and
imagined barriers.
- Navigation is the ability to move through college and into a desired job.
- Social skills use existing community resources and connections to build a group of people
supporting your goals.
- Language assets are the knowledge, social, and communication skills gained from your language,
history, and experiences.
- Family includes the cultural knowledge gained from family and community experiences.
- Resistance is the ability to resist inequality within systems. This includes resisting stereotypes
that are not authentic to your sense of self.
As part of their S-STEM Husky PAWS Scholarship Application, students will submit an
essay addressing the following topic: "Explain the types of capital you possess (you don't need to discuss every one - just
highlight the top 1-2 of importance to you) that will help you attain a STEM degree." The essay can either be in written (1,000 to 1,500 words) or video/audio (3 to 5
minutes) format. Students are welcome to search online for videos/other resources
on cultural wealth to support their written/video/audio essay.
Application Deadline and Other Important Dates
Additional Scholarship Details and Requirements
The Husky PAWS (Pathways for Academic Wellness and Success) program has three goals:
- To elevate each student's assets, which include the unique and valuable skills, knowledge,
and resiliency derived from their familial and community experiences.
- To foster a sense of belonging.
- To increase retention and graduation rates for STEM students who have demonstrated
financial need.
Husky PAWS Scholars will participate in a 3-week Summer Bridge 1-credit course prior to the start of their first semester, followed by Prep4Tech and Orientation Week. Students will be part of cohort activities throughout their academic careers at
Michigan Tech. They will be provided tools to identify and map their own development
pathway, building the social capital essential to navigating and succeeding. Additional
educational opportunities include Study Away and Undergraduate Research.
Four-year scholarship recipients must remain in good academic standing and Pell-eligible, which requires the annual completion of the FAFSA.
Applicant and Scholarship Questions
Questions can be directed to the S-STEM Coordinator, Rachael Hathcoat at rehathco@mtu.edu or 906-487-3692.
