Eligibility

The CSTEP Program is a New York State-funded program designed for students interested in scientific, technical, health-related, or licensed professions or who are economically disadvantaged, and who demonstrate interest in, and potential for, a CSTEP-targeted profession.

CSTEP students:

• Must be a New York State resident
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 (exceptions are made on conditional basis)
• Must be economically disadvantaged, and/or
• Demonstrate a need for, or can strongly benefit from, academic enrichment or STEM-related support
• Must be majoring in a STEM field or planning to major in a field that leads to a New York State professional license, such as Accounting, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Economics, Education (math and science), Engineering, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders.

For the purpose of CSTEP, a student is considered a New York State resident if he or she resides in New York State and has lived in New York State for the last two terms of high school prior to graduation; or resided in New York State for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first term for which the applicant is seeking acceptance into CSTEP and has established permanent residence in New York State; or was a resident when the applicant entered military service, VISTA, or the Peace Corps and re-established New York State residency within six months after release from service.

For the purpose of CSTEP, a student is economically disadvantaged if he or she meets the economically disadvantaged eligibility requirements. See NYS Income Eligibility Criteria (PDF). Students enrolled in the state-funded opportunity programs (HEOP, EOP, SEEK, or College Discovery) are eligible to participate in CSTEP.