CSTEP Stipend Policy

Stipend Opportunities

Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, CSTEP is launching a new way to support our students. Students in good standing (see attendance policy) may apply for CSTEP stipends throughout the year. This will replace the current progress stipend, which has typically been awarded as students graduate. Within the following categories, students can apply for funding from CSTEP once per semester (except where noted). Their applications will be reviewed by the CSTEP staff to determine their award eligibility. Stipend awards are dependent on available funds and application criteria. 

Funds will be distributed via direct deposit and students must have the following forms on file with CSTEP for the money to be distributed. 

Stipend Categories

  1. Emergency: Maximum award is $500. Students may apply to CSTEP for support in a situation where limited resources constitute an emergency that impacts students’ academic life or personal health. Students must submit a detailed budget of what the funding will be used for and a short explanation essay of need. Submitting to this category will require a meeting with a staff person to ensure that the student has the support they need, whether or not they are awarded these funds.
    1. NOTE: This stipend is only available once per academic year. 
    2. Examples of emergencies include: unsafe living conditions (i.e., situations of physical threats, fire damage, flood damage, etc.); catastrophic computer failure; emergency medical costs; emergency car repair so students can access campus and/or work), funds needed to unblock a student account as part of a payment plan that allows students to register for classes (available once).
  2. Travel: Students may request up to $120 for travel home. They must submit their request before travel happens.
    1. NOTE: Processing (including reviewing their application and completing paperwork) may require up to 3 weeks, so money needed in advance should take this into consideration. 
  3. Course materials: Students may request up to $200 per semester to support purchasing course materials. Details on resources costs (e.g., (used) book costs via screen shots, online subscription service cost) must be uploaded with the request, as well as relevant syllabi. (For example, if you need a textbook for PSYC111, upload the course syllabus that indicates the textbook you need, and a screenshot of the Amazon page showing the cost of the book.)