Purpose

To increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students prepared to enter college, and improve their participation rate in mathematics, science, technology, health-related fields, and the licensed professions

Program Services

STEP provides academic enrichment in science and mathematics content areas.  Projects consist of academic year and summer components including:

• Core subject instruction/Regents exam preparation
• Supervised practical training
• Supervised research training
• College admissions counseling
• Standardized tests preparation
• Career awareness/development activities

STEP Improves Student Readiness:

• Enriches science and mathematics instruction
• Provides laboratories for supervised training in research method
• Conducts summer programs
• Provides standardized test preparation and practice
• Assists students with the college application process

Institutional Eligibility

Competitive grants are awarded to institutions of higher education (IHE).  IHE’s administer projects in schools/school districts with 20 percent or more enrollment of historically underrepresented students.

Student Eligibility

STEP serves secondary school students all over New York State.   Students must be:

• Enrolled in Grades 7-12
• Economically disadvantaged, or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.
  • Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • American Indian and Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.
  • Hispanics or Latinos are those people whose origins are from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South America, or the Dominican Republic. People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race.

Economically Disadvantaged

• For the purpose of STEP, a student is economically disadvantaged if he or she meets the income eligibility criteria (2015-20 STEP Income Eligibility Criteria). The eligibility standards set forth apply only at the time of admission as a first-time student to a STEP program. Once admitted, a student may continue to receive supportive services as needed, even if the family income rises above the current eligibility standards.
• Additional documentation of household income need not be collected to determine eligibility under economic disadvantage if the student falls into one of the following categories, and documentation is available to demonstrate:
  • the student’s family is the recipient of family assistance program aid or safety net assistance through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or a county department of social services; or is the recipient of family day-care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services or a county department of social services;
  • the student is living with foster parents and no monies are provided from the natural parents; or
  • the student is a ward of the State or a county.
  • the student is eligible for free or reduced lunch at his or her secondary school based upon family income (verified by the school).

For a list of Professions Licensed, Registered, or Certified by the Board of Regentsplease visit the Office of Professions at http://www.op.nysed.gov

Importance of STEP in our Current Economy 

Most STEP alumni live in New York State and work in high-paying STEM, health, and licensed fields that contribute to our tax base. STEM and licensed professionals are vital in meeting the needs of the 21st-century economy and job market in our state and nation. STEM fields are vital to the continued economic recovery of our state and nation. 

Preparing for the future 

In 2021-2022, (even with the onset of the pandemic and forced cancellation of many events) CSTEP and STEP served an additional 16,500 non-C/STEP students in grades K-12 through our statewide C/STEP Day of Service. The annual Day of Service is a statewide event whereby current C/ STEP students and staff meet with non-C/STEP students to share with them the benefits and challenges of pursuing careers in STEM, health, and the licensed professions.