STEM Start
Why STEM Start?
STEM Start is a scholarship within the Summer Start program. The STEM Start scholarship is available for first-year, first-generation and/or Pell-eligible South Carolina residents majoring in a STEM field. The STEM Start scholarship is designed to assist students in successfully transitioning to Clemson University and to identify the STEM major that best fits them.
College is an experience characterized by change and challenges. First-generation and/or Pell-eligible college students have a higher rate of dropping out after their first year. A strong support system and solid academic foundation can make a difference in your success. Clemson University has developed a program to help ensure success for these new STEM students.
Who is STEM Start for?
The STEM Start scholarship assists first-year, first-generation and/or Pell-eligible Clemson students who are residents of South Carolina in reaching their career goals in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) majors. Click here for a list of eligible STEM majors at Clemson.
STEM Start Eligibility
The STEM Start scholarship is open to all first-year, first-generation and/or Pell-eligible South Carolina residents majoring in an eligible STEM field, who are admitted to Clemson University for the Summer semester. First-generation means that your parents have not earned a bachelor's degree. Also, if your sibling is currently enrolled in college or has earned a degree, you are still considered a first-generation student. You also must be willing to commit to being present for the entire Summer experience. Family vacations, camps, dance competitions, etc. will not be excused absences for this experience. Missing one day is like missing three days of classes due to the compressed timeline of the summer II semester.
STEM Start 2026 Timeline
| Time Frame | Action |
|---|---|
| June 28 | Move into Summer Housing |
| June 29 or 30 | Ready, Set, Roar! (optional) |
| July 1 | First day of classes |
| July 3 | University Holiday - No Classes |
| July 31 | Last Day of Classes |
| August 1 | Move out for all students who do not need to take in-person finals on August 3 and 4 |
| August 3 and 4 | Final Examinations |
| August 5 | Final move out of Summer Housing assignment for students who took in-person finals on August 4 |
The STEM Start Experience
Academic Coursework
- You will earn 6 to 7 credits towards general education requirements, MATH prerequisites, and/or major requirements.
- All STEM Start scholarship recipients will be enrolled in CU 1000, which is a course that introduces new students to Clemson's student success resources, community standards, and values.
- All STEM Start scholarship recipients will also be enrolled in CCPD 1200, a course that focuses on professional development and career exploration.
Math Placement
As a STEM major, math placement is critical to your future academic plan. We highly recommend sending in your ACT and/or SAT scores if you applied to Clemson test-optional as ACT math and/or SAT math scores are used for placement in a variety of courses, such as MATH and ENGR. If you did not take the ACT and/or SAT or desire a higher MATH placement, we recommend taking the Clemson Mathematics Placement Test (CMPT). More information about the CMPT can be found here.
Cost
The STEM Start scholarship is $5,000. This scholarship will go towards:
- Summer tuition
- Summer housing
- An unlimited meal plan
- STEM Start polo for employer visits
Costs for STEM Start Students:
- Any remaining balance for summer tuition, housing, and dining. The remaining balance will be dependent on your financial aid package and what courses you are enrolled in.
- Any required textbooks.
- A personal laptop.
- A Clemson parking permit, if bringing a vehicle to campus for the summer.
- A pair of closed-toed shoes and long pants (ex: khakis or dress pants) for employer visits.
- Any other personal or essential items you need for the Summer term.
There are two FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) that all Summer Start students and STEM Start scholarship recipients need to fill out. Students need to fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA to be eligible for Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loans for the summer II semester. The preferred deadline is April 1, and students should fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA as soon as possible, no later than June 30. Students will also need to submit a 2026-2027 FAFSA to be eligible for Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loans for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). Clemson University also uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid.
Housing
STEM Start scholarship recipients will be living in Summer Start Community Housing in Calhoun Courts or non-Summer Start Community Housing in Smith Hall, Barnett Hall, Mauldin Hall, or Calhoun Courts. Summer Start Community Housing allows a student to choose one space and roommate for both the Summer and Academic Year terms. This means Summer Start Community Housing residents will not change roommates or move out of their space at the end of summer. Non-Summer Start Community Housing means a student will have a different living space and roommate for the summer and academic year, meaning they will move out of their summer space at the end of the summer II term. All STEM Start scholarship recipients will be able to select roommates for the summer from the entire Summer Start cohort, and more information on the roommate process can be found here.
STEM Start scholarship recipients who live in Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens Counties can request to live with their families through a Residency Waiver request.
Applying
If you are eligible for the STEM Start scholarship, you will receive an official email invitation to the program from the University. Be sure to apply quickly because program space is limited. You will find the scholarship application in your Admitted Student Portal. If you would like to learn more about the Summer Start program and the STEM Start scholarship, we encourage you to sign up for a STEM Start scholarship Information Session in your Admitted Student Portal.
Enrichment Opportunities
Professional Development Outings in Upstate, South Carolina
You will tour various companies and organizations that highlight an extensive list of STEM careers to help you start with the end in mind. In previous years, STEM Start scholarship recipients have visited:
- BASF.
- Arthrex.
- Prisma Health in Greenville.
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
- Clemson University Institute for Human Genetics.
Workshops
Workshops will also be offered throughout the summer to help you learn more about campus resources and to connect you with the various services Clemson University offers. These workshops will be offered by campus partners, such as the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (CSLE). We will also help to ensure you have the best academic success strategies as you start your Clemson academic journey through workshops with the Academic Success Center (ASC).
Etiquette Dinner
We will participate in an etiquette dinner to prepare you for occasions on campus and off where a formal dinner may be the setting.
Social Activities
There will be many activities and opportunities for engagement and building relationships throughout the summer, including:
- Ice Cream Socials
- Fourth of July Celebration
- Lake Day at the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex
- Trivia at the Barnes Center
