Great Minds Scholars Program

1. Increase the number of low income, academically talented, and first-generation students that apply, enroll, and graduate with a STEM B.S. degree from WPI
2. Academically, and emotionally support Scholars with holistic, intentional, and research-backed programming
3. Develop, implement, and investigate a framework with a comprehensive mentor network and workshops that will lead to sustainable, institutional change to support students of different identities 
4. Examine the ways in which our students navigate and experience the institution over time that influence student retention and graduation  

This project is intended to increase the number of low-income, academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields. It also aims to improve the education of future STEM workers, and to generate knowledge about academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of low-income students.  

The Great Minds Scholarship is a secondary scholarship that meets the student’s full demonstrated financial need for tuition and fees once all other merit- and need-based scholarships are assessed. The program also includes an additional Great Minds Housing Allowance. 

Scholarships are awarded every year to incoming first-year students. The scholarships are renewable for four years, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and meets all other terms in the Award Conditions and Notes.

All merit-based scholarships at WPI, including the Great Minds Scholarship, are evaluated based on academic performance in high school, recommendations, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and community service.

In order to be eligible for the Great Minds Scholarship, students must:

• Be Pell-eligible High School seniors, applying as first-year candidates.
• Apply to WPI as a first-year student through the Common Application no later than Feb. 1, the regular decision deadline.
• Students can choose whether to apply for Early Decision 1, Early Action 1, Early Decision 2, Early Action 2, or Regular Decision.
• There is no separate application for the Great Minds Scholars Program required.
• Fill out the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE (Profile) financial aid forms by Feb. 15. (Learn more about financial aid forms.)

After WPI Admissions completes reviewing all applicants, eligible accepted students will then be reviewed for the Great Minds Scholarship.

Students selected for this program will be known as Great Minds Scholars, and will be notified no later than mid-April by email. Great Minds Scholars must make their enrollment decision by May 1 to retain the award.

Enrolling at another institution or formally declining WPI’s offer of admission will, as with any other scholarship, void the offer of the award. Great Minds Scholars interested in deferring their enrollment should read the deferral terms. 

We will support each cohort of great minds scholars through all four years at WPI with the below programming:

Get connected 

• A Welcome Event for Great Minds Scholars and their families during the New Student Welcome Event in June.
• Participation in the Connections Program, a pre-orientation experience with approximately 100 first-year students that focuses on community building and academic support strategies. [look for additional information about this program] 

Build a community 

• Co-located housing & dedicated Insight group
• Cohort-based course registration 

Built in support 

• Weekly meetings with the cohort and faculty/staff mentors to answer questions and foster connections during the first year.
• Dedicated math tutoring through the first year’s weekly meetings.
• Peer mentoring by upper-class Great Minds Scholars  

Ongoing professional development 

• Faculty Mentoring to support your academic and professional growth
• Social Events and community-building activities with your Great Minds cohort
• Ongoing Support from the Great Minds Scholars team including term meetings, professional development programming and special events throughout your time at WPI.  

The Great Minds Scholarship program is intended to provide wraparound support to its scholars through all four years at WPI. Below is a general sense of what that support will look like over the years. Plans may change as we continue to develop the program or based on the specific needs of each cohort.

Early Start to WPI: Welcome to WPI and the GMS Scholar Program. Enrollment in Connections

First Year at WPI (College Transition): Workshops on college transition, assessment of strengths, campus resources, the hidden curriculum, financial aid, etc. 

Sophomore Year (Professional Development): Industry and career exploration, summer internship and co-op opportunities, resume and cover letter building

Junior Year (Graduate School Exploration): Graduate School exploration, assistantships and Fellowships 

Senior Year (Road to Graduation): Graduate School exploration and decisions,  graduate School application process, financial planning