Fund: Edison STEM Scholarship Fund Department: Undergrad Student Financial Aid D02089 Purpose: Undergraduate Student Support Background: The general purpose of the Edison STEM Scholarship Fund is to provide financial scholarship assistance to undergraduate students at the University of California Riverside pursuing a bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) related field. Degrees in STEM fields are necessary for economic success in the economy of tomorrow. The national need for more young people to enter STEM fields is well documented. Similarly, it is clear that the nation needs greater ethnic diversity in engineering and technology. The fast-growing Inland Empire region east of Los Angeles (mainly Riverside and San Bernardino counties) lags behind the state in economic opportunity, college matriculation rates, and college graduation rates. Moreover, the nature of engineering education also is changing - innovativeness, the ability to work in teams, and the ability to work across cultures and distances are increasingly important. Successfully competing a STEM related bachelor's degree requires a strong command of math and science principles and leads to success in many fields. Selection and Purpose: Eligible students will be selected based on the following criteria: 1. Have financial need, as determined by the UCR Financial Aid Office and the successful completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on an annual basis 2. Majoring in a STEM field 3. Is a continuing student with a 3.0 GPA or higher 4. Preference will be granted to those applicants who are served by Southern California Edison Applicants may apply for this scholarship by completing an application with the UCR Financial Aid Office, who accepts on-line applications January 2 to March 2 annually. For more information on how to apply, contact the UCR Financial Aid Office at finaid@ucr.edu