INFORMATION FOR
If you do not find the answer to your question, please send your question to StemAspire@wpunj.edu.
The ASPIRE-STEM Program began in the Spring 2022 term and had its first cohort of students in Summer 2022. New cohorts will begin each Summer of the remaining years of the grant program.
Please fill out the ASPIRE Program Information Request form
Yes, due to the nature of the grant students must be enrolled full-time in one of the majors listed below; if you are enrolled in another major, or if you are a part-time student, please be advised that you will not be eligible for this program:
Mathematics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Information Technology, Biology, Environmental Sustainability, Exercise Physiology
Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Earth Science, Medicinal Biochemistry, Integrated Math and Science
Yes! You may apply if you think you meet the eligibility criteria even if your school is not listed as a partner school.
Great question! There are numerous benefits to joining this program, including the following:
The Financial Aid Office at WPU provides financial consultation to help you figure out which options best maximize your benefits. Please send an email to FinAid@wpunj.edu to schedule an appointment with one of the financial aid experts.
YES! If not done so already, please fill out the ASPIRE STEM Program Application form. This form is required to be considered as a participant in the ASPIRE Program, as well as the Summer Programs. The application for the Summer 2025 cohort is due by Sunday, June 22, 2025. Early application submission is strongly encouraged!
Current students at William Paterson University with a declared STEM major, have a full-time credit load (at least 12 credits for the Spring 2025 term), and started their William Paterson University degree programs in the Fall 2024 term may be eligible for this program. Transfer students who are beginning their degree programs in the Spring 2025 term may also qualify for this program.
Per grant requirements, all applicants must either demonstrate a high level of financial need, determined by the Director of Student Financing and defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), OR identify as Hispanic and/or Latina/o/x.
Students who enroll into the ASPIRE STEM Program and complete their mandatory attendance for the Winter Bridge Program will receive all available academic, financial, and professional benefits as offered through the ASPIRE STEM Program.
Please visit the following webpage to learn more about public transportation options to visit the William Paterson University campus: https://www.wpunj.edu/commuter/services.html
The Winter Bridge Program will run from Monday, January 13, 2025 to Friday, January 17, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in-person on the William Paterson University campus. All participants will be provided with daily meal vouchers for lunch and a transportation stipend will be provided to students at the end of their program.
Specific location information, including parking information, will be shared with students once they are accepted into the program.
Unfortunately, as a current WPUNJ student, attendance for the Winter Bridge Program is a mandatory requirement for you to be a part of the ASPIRE Program. Please be advised that current WPUNJ students were eligible for the Summer 2024 Summer Programs, thus they are not eligible for the upcoming Summer 2025 Summer Programs. If you have any documented or emergency conflicts regarding attendance, please note them on your ASPIRE Winter Bridge Program Application form and our team will reach out to discuss them further with you.
As an incoming transfer student, you must either attend the Winter Bridge Program for Transfer/Current Students (January 13, 2025 to January 17, 2025) OR attend the Summer 2025 Research Experience for Transfer/Current Students, which will run for five weeks starting Monday, July 7, 2025 and ending on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The Summer 2025 Program runs Monday through Thursday at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the William Paterson University campus. All participants will be provided with daily meal vouchers for lunch and a transportation stipend will be provided to students at the end of their respective programs.
If you prefer to attend the Winter Bridge Program and you have any documented or emergency conflicts regarding attendance, please note them on your ASPIRE Winter Bridge Program Application form and our team will reach out to discuss them further with you.
Students in the Winter Bridge Program will be provided with lunch each day of their program. Breakfast and dinner will not be provided; please plan accordingly.
After the completion of the Winter Bridge Program, students will receive a transportation stipend which will be credited to their WPU student account by the Student Accounts office, which will be sent as a refund check to the mailing address on file with the University. Please ensure that your mailing address on file is accurate with University records.
ASPIRE Staff will contact all program participants no later than by 6:30 AM if any changes to the program schedule are necessary due to weather conditions. Also, visit the University website for information regarding campus closing. In addition, make sure you are signed up for university emergency text notifications. In cases of campus closure, information will be communicated to participants regarding steps to ensure participation credit for that day of the program.
Please be advised that there is no on-campus housing available for transfer students participating in the Summer Research Experience Program for Transfer/Current Students.
However, there IS an optional, no cost on-campus housing option available for incoming Freshman students participating in the 10-day Summer Bridge Program. Below are some details regarding this opportunity:
Incoming Freshman students will have the option to reside on campus for the following days and be provided the following meals; both meals and housing are at no-cost to the student and are covered by the ASPIRE grant:
Student will have the option to reside on campus for the following days and be provided the following meals FOR FREE; both meals and housing are at no-cost to the student, they are covered by the ASPIRE grant:
NOTE: Students are not allowed to reside on campus Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the program. All University, campus housing and ASPIRE Program rules and policies must be adhered to in order to remain in the housing program.
Any students who elect not to participate in this summer housing program will be responsible for commuting to William Paterson University for the 10-day Summer Bridge Program. Commuter-based participants will be provided with daily meal vouchers for lunch and a transportation stipend will be provided to students at the completion of the program.
