The eligibility requirements for the Tech Valley Scholars program and a scholarship are as follows:  (1) must be a United States citizen or permanent resident; (2) demonstrate financial need as determined by our financial aid office using cost of attendance and the family’s ability to pay; (3) intent to elect a major in CMPS disciplines: computer science, mathematics, physics, or chemistry (non-health professions tracks); (4) have full-time student status (12 or more credits) during the semesters receiving support; (5) have an overall GPA of 3.0.

To apply, students are required to have completed an application form including a personal statement about joining the Tech Valley Scholars program and two letters of recommendation. For students who have not yet matriculated or completed a semester of coursework at Siena, additional documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and an academic transcript are required.

Once accepted into the program, students must enroll in and actively participate in the one-credit Career Seminar for Tech Valley Scholars each semester unless studying abroad. The program will provide a fee waiver for any student for whom enrollment in the seminar will place them in more than the maximum allowed credits for the semester. Every semester, the status of each TVS student will be reviewed by the committee for maintenance of eligibility as follows: (1) remain in one of the CMPS STEM majors; (2) continue to take part in TVS activities, including the seminar; (3) work closely with the assigned faculty and peer mentors who monitor the TVS student’s progress and advise; and (4) maintain an overall GPA > 3.0 for all courses, with no grade lower than B- in CS, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.