Engineering Technology Career Scholars Program
Northern Virginia Community College's Engineering Technology (ET) Career Scholars Program is a student program seeking to strengthen career pathways toward in-demand engineering technology careers. For the fall 2024, NOVA is recruiting 40 students. The program will host 20 students on the Loudoun campus, and 20 students on the Woodbridge campus* where NOVA's Data Center Classrooms are located. This program is offered FREE of charge to all accepted participants.
Application deadline is May 21, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
*Woodbridge Data Center Facility is under construction, and courses may start on the Manassas Campus if construction is not complete for the fall start.
ET Career Scholars will:
Participate in a summer 2024 bridge program
- The bridge program will provide a structured introduction to the college environment, identify and support students in completing mathematics requirements, promote cohort cohesion, and will introduce the data center industry or semiconductor industry and the career opportunities available.
Have an academic year block schedule (cohort)
- Career Scholars will complete NOVA's Data Center Operations (DCO) career studies certificate (CSC) or an Engineering Technology CSC focusing on the semiconductor field. The classes (26 credits) will be completed in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students will progress through their coursework as a cohort, with structured co-curricular tutoring, mentoring, and professional preparation during the academic year. Block schedules will be structured to allow students to maintain existing out-of-school commitments (e.g., part-time employment, family care, etc.).
- During the application process, NOVA staff will work with each student to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA), Virginia G3, and scholarships to cover tuition costs.
Receive a guaranteed interview for an internship with a data center partner or semiconductor industry partner
- The intent of the interview is to select interns for summer 2025 internships and provide them with valuable professional development experience.
- Those selected for internships will work a maximum of 150 hours and work no less than 15 hours per week. The duration of the internship is dependent on the number of hours worked each week (e.g., 30 hours per week for 5 weeks = 150 hours). Interns will be paid a maximum stipend of $3,000 or $20 per hour.
The ET Career Scholars Program will provide:
Participant Stipends
- $500 stipend for summer bridge program completion
- Up to $3,000 academic year living stipend for participation in work-based learning and professional preparation activities ($1,500 Fall and $1,500 Spring)
- Up to $3,000 stipend for industry internship.
- Up to $1,000 for professional supplies (e.g. ET toolkit, PPE, professional attire, etc.)
Tuition
- $4,942.86 for 26 academic credits ($190.11 per credit)
Maximum TOTAL Program Support* per Scholar - $12,443
*Total program support is a maximum value and individual support may vary based on qualifications, financial aid determinations, and scholar performance as applicable by federal and state policies and procedures.
Feel free to contact systemic@nvcc.edu with any additional questions!
