Below you will find many of the frequently asked questions about the Noyce Scholars Program and the STEM Intern Program. If your questions are not answered here, please contact Billie Díaz bm-diaz@neiu.edu or Laura West at l-west2@neiu.edu.
Noyce Teaching Scholarship
What is the Noyce Teaching Scholarship?
It is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that has been awarded to Northeastern Illinois University to provide a financial assistance, summer learning experiences, and programmatic support to talented undergraduate students majoring in mathematics or science and Secondary Education Teacher Licensure candidates. The grant seeks to increase the number of high school teachers with strong mathematics and science (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and math) content knowledge to teach in high-need school districts.
Why is it called the Noyce Scholarship?
Robert Noyce was the co-inventor of the integrated circuit and went on to oversee development of the very first microprocessors at a company he co-founded called Intel. Robert Noyce died in 1990, but his legacy lives on. The Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program is an act of Congress originally authorized in 2002 and subsequently reauthorized in 2007 and 2010. The goal of the scholarship is to meet the critical need for K-12 teachers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by encouraging talented STEM students and professionals to pursue teaching careers in elementary and secondary schools.
How much money is awarded through the Noyce Scholarship?
The NEIU Noyce scholarship program is accepting applications for two scholarship recipients of up to $14,500 each for the 2022-23 academic year.
When is the deadline?
July 1, 2022. Candidates who apply before the deadline may be interviewed and considered sooner.
How are Noyce scholars selected?
Scholars are selected based on a competitive application process. This process addresses the interest in teaching secondary education in a STEM area (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science) and within high-need school. Applicants are asked to share information in an essay about their educational experiences and what they hope to achieve as a Northeastern Illinois University Noyce Scholar. Applicants will be ranked based on their essay by the Noyce Leadership Team, letters of recommendation and interview with members of the Leadership Team. Scholars will be chosen by their combined score on essay, academic and teaching potential and personal interview.
What is expected of Noyce Scholars?
Noyce Scholars must be committed to participating in all Noyce Scholar courses, research projects, seminars, workshops, and other opportunities with a team of Noyce Scholars and faculty as presented upon admission into the Noyce Scholar cohort.
In addition, upon graduation, Noyce Scholars will fulfill two years of full-time employment in a high-needs school district for every one year of Noyce funding received. Since the scholarship supports students for up to three years, this means a maximum commitment of six years in teaching. Scholars have eight years to fulfill the commitment. If the teaching requirement is unmet, participants will be required to repay the amount of NSF Noyce Support received plus any applicable interest.
What does it mean to teach in a high-need local educational agency?
The term "high-need local educational agency" is defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as a school district that has at least one school in which 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, 34% or more teachers are not licensed or certified or are teaching out-of-field, or there is a 15% or higher attrition rate for teachers within the last three years.
What if I fail to meet the teaching requirements after graduation?
Upon acceptance of the NSF Noyce award, scholars sign a promissory note committing to teach in high-need school districts for two years for every year of NSF Noyce funding. Scholars have eight years to fulfill their commitment. Northeastern will monitor employment and if the teaching requirement is unmet, the scholarship will default into a loan and repayment of scholarship funds will occur.
I am undocumented. Can I receive the scholarship?
Because the funding for the Noyce Scholars Program comes from the NSF (National Science Foundation), Noyce Scholars must have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in order to receive the scholarship. Contact us directly if you would like to discuss further.
What long-term support is there for Noyce graduates?
Noyce graduates are part of the national NSF network of Noyce Scholars beyond graduation, even after they get their own keys to the classroom! Scholars are invited to stay in contact with Noyce faculty and local school mentors after graduation. Scholars are also invited to share experiences in the classroom with each other and with current scholars. Graduates are a valuable part of the program and are always welcome back for events at Northeastern.
Noyce STEM Internship
Who can apply?
Northeastern accepts applications from students who are undergraduates with an interest in STEM, particularly those interested in exploring careers in STEM education. The program welcomes applications from current Northeastern Illinois University students, as well as students from the City Colleges of Chicago who intend to transfer to NEIU.
Is this a paid internship?
Yes, interns in the NSF Noyce STEM Intern Program are paid hourly.
What are the requirements for the Noyce STEM Intern program?
Noyce STEM Interns complete a paid summer internship that provides exposure to the teaching profession and experience using robotics, coding, and modeling with students in grades 6-12 with the support and mentorship of current CPS teachers and Noyce faculty.
Where are the internships located?
Interns are placed in various partner locations throughout the city. In the past locations have included NEIU's main campus, NEIU's El Centro Campus, and Daley College. Partner programs include GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and other grant-funded programs that connect Noyce Interns with high school students from Chicago Public Schools.
Can students who have never done mathematics or science outreach or teaching apply?
Yes. These students will receive training from Northeastern staff and faculty as well as current CPS teachers from the Noyce STEM Intern Program.
What is involved in the application process?
After submitting application materials, students will receive an email confirming that this step has been completed. The Internship Committee then reviews the application materials and schedules in-person interviews.
I am undocumented. Can I be a STEM Intern?
Because the funding for the program comes from the NSF (National Science Foundation), students must have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in order to receive the hourly wages of the internship. Contact us directly if you would like to discuss further.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for the Noyce STEM Internship has passed, but if you're still interested in getting involved in this program this summer or in the future, please contact Aaron Cortes a-cortes@neiu.edu
Who can write a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation can come from a high school or community college instructor or current Northeastern faculty member.
