Questions and Answers of some common questions about the program:
What program funds STEPS2Clemson?
The National Science Foundation provides the funding for STEPS2Clemson under grant number 2527751 (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2527751).
Is the STEPS2Clemson scholarship need-based or merit-based?
STEPS2Clemson requires students to be Pell-grant eligible or have a family income of less than 200% of the Federal poverty limit. Further, students can only receive funds up to their unmet need. Also, students must be “high achieving or have high academic potential,” which is evaluated by the scholarship selection committee based on high school grades and the essay.
What if I change majors?
To receive funding, students must be pursuing engineering degrees.
What if my financial situation improves?
If you are no longer Pell-eligible or if your family income rises above 200% of the federal poverty level, STEPS2Clemson will not be able to provide scholarship funds.
Once I am a Clemson student in Engineering, can I receive funds while I am on co-op or an internship in a fall or spring semester?
Students can defer scholarship funds if they are on co-op or an internship, but must be enrolled full-time to receive scholarship funds.
What if I drop a class?
Students must be full-time to receive scholarship funds. Consult your advisor and your financial aid office before dropping any classes!
I am a current Clemson Engineering Undergraduate. Am I eligible to join the STEPS2Clemson program?
No. STEPS2Clemson only accepts students who are attending / will attend TCTC.
Who do I ask for help?
For course questions, contact your instructor.
For course planning, contact your TCTC advisor, your Clemson advisor, or your STEPS2Clemson advisor.
For other STEPS2Clemson questions, contact steps2cu@clemson.edu
When can I receive funds?
Students must be enrolled at TCTC in the first fall and spring, and then transfer to Clemson in an engineering major. Students can receive funds for 3 years at Clemson as long as they stay eligible.
I am admitted to Clemson as a January start. Can I apply to STEPS2 Clemson?
No, the STEPS2Clemson program only accepts students to begin the program in fall semesters.
How many scholarships are available?
The program will award 16 scholarships per year in Fall 2026, Fall 2027, and Fall 2028, supporting a total of 48 students.