Program Details

Program Eligibility

To be accepted into the STEPS2Clemson program, students must:

  • Be accepted to Tri-County Technical College and intend to transfer to Clemson University to study engineering, or be accepted as an engineering student in the Bridge to Clemson Program
    • Only first-year students attending Tri-County Technical College are eligible to apply for the STEPS2Clemson program
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Demonstrate academic achievement with either a 3.5 high school unweighted GPA or an ACT or SAT score in the 85th percentile
  • Be ready to enroll in first-semester calculus
  • Maintain full-time enrollment
  • Demonstrate financial need, defined as being Pell Grant-eligible or having a family income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level, as identified in the Federal FAFSA Application

Program Benefits

  • Up to $10,000 per year at TCTC and up to $15,000 per year at Clemson University
    • Students may receive up to their unmet financial need, so actual award amounts may be lower
  • Laptops that meet Clemson University Engineering recommendations, provided at the beginning of students’ enrollment in STEPS2Clemson 
  • Faculty Mentoring at TCTC and Clemson University
  • Professional development series

STEPS2Clemson Scholars retain their scholarship when they:

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA, or regain a 3.0 GPA following a probationary period if GPA falls below 3.0
  • Bridge or transfer to Clemson University in an engineering major (Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering) after one year at TCTC
  • Continue to have unmet financial need as defined as being Pell Grant-eligible or having a family income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level, as identified in the Federal FAFSA Application

STEPS2Clemson scholars are invited to:

  • Attend the STEPS2Clemson scholars orientation
  • Meet with a faculty advisor and mentors each semester
  • Enroll in Creative Inquiry courses during each of the first four semesters
  • Participate in the STEPS2Clemson professional development series for the first 3 years
  • Use Supplemental Instruction or work with a mentor weekly if recommended by a faculty member or if on probation
  • Participate in surveys, focus groups, or interviews about their experiences to improve the program for future students