CS-LEAP Scholarship Program Computer Science Department SUNY Potsdam http://cs.potsdam.edu/CS-LEAP

NOTICE

Our CS-LEAP scholarship program is in its final year of National Science Foundation support. One-year scholarships for the 2015/2016 Academic Year may be awarded to new transfer students, subject to the availability of funds, but no new two-year scholarships will be awarded.

Purpose

The Computer Science Leadership and Practice (CS-LEAP) scholarship program provides substantial financial support to students who transfer into the CS Bachelor's degree program at SUNY Potsdam.

Target audience

The CS-LEAP program is designed primarily for students who transfer from a community college with an Associate of Science degree in CS. SUNY Potsdam has articulation agreements with most SUNY CCs that have AS degree programs in CS. Students who transfer from these CCs into the SUNY Potsdam CS degree program can finish their degree requirements in two years of additional study.

Scholarship amounts

The amount of CS-LEAP scholarship support available to a particular student will be limited to the total cost of attendance minus the student's estimated family contribution as determined by the student's FAFSA. The average award is expected to be $8,500/year, with a maximum of $10,000/year. Scholarships will normally cover two years of study at SUNY Potsdam.

Eligibility requirements

Students seeking CS-LEAP scholarship support

• must be citizens or nationals of the United States as defined in Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, aliens admitted as refugees under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence;
• must be able to demonstrate financial need (see above);
• will normally have completed an Associate of Science degree in CS from a SUNY or CUNY community college or be a transfer student who has attained Junior standing (57 or more semester credits) with substantial lower-level coursework in computer science and mathematics typical of a student in an AS degree program in CS; and
• will normally have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in computer science coursework and a minimum of 2.5 GPA overall in transfer credits.

We can consider scholarship support for transfer applicants who do not meet one or both of the last two eligibility requirements but who can demonstrate, through their letters of application and poker-07 support, substantial promise for completing a four-year degree in CS at SUNY Potsdam.

How to apply

• Download the CS-LEAP application FAQ to guide your application process.
• Visit our CS program website to familiarize yourself with SUNY Potsdam's academic program in Computer Science.
• Discuss your plans with your community college major and transfer advisors.
• If you do not have up-to-date FAFSA documentation, start your application now by following the SUNY Potsdam Financial Aid Checklist. If you have FAFSA documentation on file at your community college, update your FAFSA application with current information and add SUNY Potsdam's school code (002850) so we have access to this information. Contact the financial aid office at SUNY Potsdam or your community college if you need help. Your FAFSA documentation must be available for our review prior to your receiving a scholarship award.
• Apply for admission to SUNY Potsdam.
• Prepare a letter of application. This letter should provide us with
  • a summary of your academic background,
  • a description of your motivation to seek a Bachelor's degree in CS at SUNY Potsdam, and
  • your career goals following graduation.
• Line up two letters of support. These letters should clearly address
  • your academic performance and promise as a candidate for a Bachelor's Degree in CS, and
  • your personal characteristics including motivation, time management ability, and communication skills.
  One of these letters will normally be from your major advisor.

Scholarship agreement

If you are chosen to receive a scholarship award, you must sign a Scholarship Agreement that certifies your eligibility to receive the award and that outlines your responsibilities as a CS-LEAP scholar. You must sign this agreement at the beginning of each academic year in which you receive support.

Maintaining eligibility during the scholarship award period

In order to receive continuing scholarship support, you must demonstrate continuing financial need. In addition, you must maintain continuing eligibility requirements:

• take a full-time course load (12 hours or more) each semester;
• maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for all undergraduate coursework at SUNY Potsdam;
• maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for all in courses required for the CS major;
• make positive progress toward meeting CS major and College degree requirements; and
• regularly attend scheduled CS-LEAP seminars (normally held on Fridays at 2pm) and special events (as announced).