What is the Noyce Scholarship?
The National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship for 2019-24 is for students majoring in chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, or mathematics education. The grant provides significant support ($10,000 to $20,000 per year for four semesters total) to eligible college students in their junior and senior years. In return, for every year of scholarship support received students commit to two years of teaching in a high-need school division in Virginia.
What is a high-need school division?
The Noyce Program recognizes a district as “high-need” if it has at least one high-need school in it. Noyce teaching commitments can be fulfilled in a Virginia school district defined to fall within one of the following three high-need categories:
- A school system in which 50% or more of the enrolled students are eligible for participation in the free and reduced-price lunch program established by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 I.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
- A school system in which: (1) more than 34% of the academic classroom teachers at the secondary level (across all academic subjects) do not have an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or graduate degree in, the academic field in which they teach the largest percentage of their classes, or (2) more than 34% of the teachers in two of the academic departments do not have an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or graduate degree in, the academic field in which they teach the largest percentage of their classes.
- A school system with a teacher attrition rate that has been 15% or more over the last three school years.
Who can apply?
Sophomores and rising juniors from the University of Lynchburg and community college transfer students can apply for the scholarship. Transfer students must be formally admitted to the University. Admissions are rolling. Acceptance is for both junior and senior years as long as eligibility requirements are maintained. Preference is given to full-time undergraduate students.
How many Noyce Scholars can be funded?
The grant provides funding for a total of 22 Noyce Scholars during the 2019-24 grant time frame.
What are the eligibility requirements for the scholarship?
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- Major in STEM education.
- Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum STEM GPA of 3.0.
- Complete and submit a Noyce Scholarship application.
- Plan to complete entry requirements for the University of Lynchburg’s Educator Preparation Program.
What support is available for Noyce Scholars?
Each student is guided by two faculty advisors and the Noyce pathway coordinator, and also has an experienced STEM teacher as a mentor throughout the program and into their teaching career. In addition, eight workshops are provided during the junior and senior years which focus on methods and strategies for teaching students with special needs and/or diverse backgrounds.
Does the Noyce Scholarship impact financial aid awards?
The Noyce Scholarship is awarded in addition to merit scholarships and other financial aid during the student’s junior and senior years at the University of Lynchburg. This scholarship can cover other costs of attendance, as needed, beyond tuition.
Where do I find more information?
- Email noyce@lynchburg.edu.
- Call Susan Hogg, Noyce Grant Pathway Coordinator, 434.544.8305.