SSOAR

SSOAR: Student Supports Organized to Achieve Results

Project SSOAR will assist academically talented, low-income students majoring in computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics. The program will provide students with scholarship aid, STEM mentoring, experiential learning activities, and support services focused on course completion, obtaining an associate's degree, and preparing for transfer.

To apply for Project SSOAR, complete the two steps below.

Application and both recommendations are needed to be considered for SSOAR.

Step 1

Fill out the online application (click to apply)

Be certain to upload transcripts
Upload financial aid letter

Step 2

Complete two recommendation forms
(copy recommendation form link and send to recommenders)

Either two faculty recommendations or one faculty and one employer

Program Goals

The program seeks to :

increase the number of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need obtaining degrees in S-STEM eligible disciplines and entering the workforce or graduate programs in STEM;
improve the education of future scientists, engineers, and technicians, with a focus on low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need; and
generate knowledge to advance understanding of how interventions or evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities affect the success, retention, transfer, academic/career pathways, and graduation of low-income students in STEM.

Contact Us

Kevin Punsalan
NSF S-STEM SSOAR principal investigator
kpunsalan@citruscollege.edu
(626) 914-8723 · MA 129
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Toros Berberyan
NSF S-STEM SSOAR co-principal investigator
tberberyan@citruscollege.edu
(626) 914-8795 · MA 117

sstemssoar@citruscollege.edu

Eligibility Requirements+-

Be citizens of the United States, nationals of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), aliens admitted as refugees under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Please note that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals are ineligible for support from this solicitation unless they meet the requirements listed in the first sentence of this item.
Be enrolled, at least half-time, as defined by the institution in a program leading to an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in an S-STEM eligible discipline (i.e. declared computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics major).
Demonstrate academic ability or potential.
Be low-income. The definition of low-income must follow the institutional guidelines for income thresholds that qualify the student as low-income, per the U.S. Department of Education Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels web page.
Have unmet financial need. Demonstrated financial need for undergraduate students is defined by the U.S. Department of Education rules for need-based federal financial aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or, for graduate students, it is defined as financial eligibility for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN).

Eligible SSOAR Majors+-

Citrus College NSF S-STEM SSOAR Benefits and Services+-

Joining the NSF S-STEM SSOAR student support services program at Citrus College comes with many great benefits and opportunities.

All of our benefits and services are free to active participants and available until you graduate.

Connect with cohort peers
Develop a strong STEM identity
Experiential learning opportunities
Financial support every semester and scholarship aid
Personalized STEM mentoring
Priority registration
Tutoring in STEM subjects

National Science Foundation official logo
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant #2221691.