www.uncw.edu/ed/STAR
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - WILMINGTON
WHAT IS STAR?
An exciting new program that provides
monies and support to UNCW students
pursuing teacher licensure in Middle
Grades or Secondary Mathematics or
Science and agree to teach in a high need
partnership school.
STAR Funding
• STAR is funded through a federal grant from the
National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce
Scholarship fund.
• UNCW was awarded the grant in 2009 for period of 5
years.
• The grant allows several scholarships to be awarded
each year!
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF STAR?
 To recruit high quality Math and Science teachers
who will assume positions in high needs schools;
 To increase the pool of math and science teachers
from traditionally underrepresented populations; &
 To provide financial, professional and personal
support to recipients throughout their preparation
program and their first years of teaching.
What are the benefits of being a
STAR recipient?
•F I N A N C I A L S U P P O R T :
A
$10,000
STAR RECIPIENTS RECEIVE UP TO
AWARD!
•H I G H Q U A L I T Y P R E P A R A T I O N C O U R S E W O R K A N D A N
INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN OF STUDY WITH ONGOING
ADVISING AND ASSISTANCE
•U N I V E R S I T Y / S C H O O L S Y S T E M C O L L A B O R A T I O N T O
ENSURE PLACEMENT IN APPROPRIATE TEACHING
POSITIONS
•S U P P O R T A N D M E N T O R I N G T H R O U G H O U T F I R S T Y E A R S
OF TEACHING
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR STAR?






Current UNCW Undergraduate Junior or
Senior, Graduate Student or Licensure Only
Candidate (apply spring semester before
scholarship is awarded) ;
Pursuing a license to teach Math or Science
at the Middle School or Secondary level;
Completion of all requirements for entrance
into the Watson School of Education;
Passing scores on Praxis I (or equivalent)
On time completion of all required
application materials (see STAR website);
No criminal record
HOW DO I APPLY FOR STAR?
•
•
•
Visit the STAR website at
www.uncw.edu/ed/STAR for an
application and instructions;
A personal statement, resume and
letter of recommendation are required
with the completed application form.
All materials are due by May 1 and
scholarships are awarded before fall
tuition is due.
HOW ARE STAR
APPLICANTS SELECTED?
•
All application materials are carefully reviewed by
members of the STAR Team Committee
(appointed UNCW Faculty and Administrators);
• Selected eligible students are invited to attend an
interview/information session;
• The committee discusses and determines final
selections;
• Awards are granted!
STAR
Requirements
All students receiving a
STAR scholarship
MUST sign an “Intent
to Teach” document.
Failure to comply with
the listed obligations
will result in the
student having to pay
back the full
scholarship amount
awarded.
INTENT TO TEACH

Consistent course attendance and participation

Attendance at all advising sessions

Completion of all courses required for licensure in Math
or Science within three years

Completion of all North Carolina licensure requirements,
including Praxis I and II testing requirements

Commitment to continuous development as an educator
including collaborating with and being responsive to
suggestions from instructors and mentors

Commitment to teach Math or Science (Middle School or
High School) in one of the designated partner North
Carolina school systems for two years for each year the
scholarship is awarded.
PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICTS
BRUNSWICK COUNTY SCHOOLS
CLINTON CITY SCHOOLS
COLUMBUS COUNTY SCHOOLS
DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
GREENE COUNTY SCHOOLS
JONES COUNTY SCHOOLS
ONLOW COUNTY SCHOOLS
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS
SAMPSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
WHITEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
FIRST YEARS TEACHER SUPPORT
Upon graduation, STAR students will receive support
with finding appropriate placement in teaching
positions within the partnership schools.
STAR teachers will receive continued support throughout their first years of teaching via mentoring by the
school system and university, quality professional
development programs, and accessible 24/7 webbased technology support via a Google Site.
www.uncw.edu/ed/STAR