Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are driving forces in future development, and to encourage interest in STEM careers, the University of North Alabama is offering a new scholarship to low-income students from rural areas.

The scholarship, created by a grant through the National Science Foundation STEM program, is for current high school seniors. A total 18 scholarship winners will have the opportunity to receive more than $25,000 in funding during their time at UNA.

“The STEM Scholars program will provide scholarship recipients with a tailored-yet-diverse breadth of academic and co-curricular opportunities to promote retention, graduation and future success in the STEM workforce,” said Ross Alexander, UNA vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Scholarship winners will receive $5,400 a year toward education cost and automatic enrollment into the UNA Honors College.

This will include an Honors College scholarship of $600 for freshman and sophomore years and $1,200 for junior and senior years.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in an Alabama high school that meets the criteria for rural status, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate current financial need and submit a letter of recommendation.

Students will also have to submit a video of three minutes or less discussing their intended STEM major, why they chose this major and their long-term career goals.

To apply, students must complete a FAFSA application, UNA admission application and 2020 STEM scholarship application and submit the required video essay and letter of recommendation.

To maintain the scholarship while in college, award winners must take at least 15 credit hours a semester, maintain a 3.0 and participate in STEM scholar activities.

Students can apply now for this scholarship. Priority deadline to apply is Feb. 3, with interviews Feb. 19-26. Candidates will be notified March 5 if they received the scholarship.