Application Open: March 27, 2026
Application Close: June 5, 2026
Eligibility
All program applicants must:
- Submit a complete program application packet as required by no later than June 5, 2026
- Be 18 years of age by the start date of the program (June 26, 2026)
- Plan to attend a STEPUP program information session before applying. See dates and sign up for a STEPUP information session between March 25, 2026 – June 5, 2026
- Be available to participate in all program activities as required between June 29, 2026 thru August 7, 2026 (Summer Residential Component), as well as actively participate in the program Non-residential Component consisting of meetings, professional development activities, etc., during the Fall and Spring semesters (Contingent on their availability based on their fall/spring courseload)
If selected to participate in STEPUP, participants will be:
- Required to pay an application fee ($250.00) “After” they have received written confirmation of their acceptance into STEPUP
- Required to attend and cover the cost of an Engineering Design and Society class (2 credit hours) pay. Program participants are strongly encouraged to submit a FAFSA application for the 2026 Summer semester.
- Expected to complete program surveys, etc., in support of program data collection and research
Live Q&A office hours
If you have questions about the application or experience with the website after attending the STEPUP information session, please contact us at 352-294-7933 or attend one of our live Q & A office hours via Zoom.
Office hours:
- Mondays: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
- Tuesdays: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesdays: 11:35 AM – 12:35 PM
- Thursdays: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
STEPUP program components
Summer 2026
Residential Component Activities will include but not be limited to:
- Corporate tours
- Corporate & faculty speakers
- NVIDIA Python workshop
- A Professional Development Seminar
- HWCOE lab tours
- Engineering Design & Society course
- Calculus | Chemistry | Physics supplemental workshops
- Peer mentoring
- Summer B residential Housing (Paid for by HWCOE)
- 7 day unlimited meal plan (Paid for by HWCOE)
Fall 2026/Spring 2027
- Periodic program participant meetings (Typically 1 or 2 per semester)
- Academic, Personal and Professional development activities (Typically 2-3 per semester)
- Respond to emails, etc., from their assigned STAR Mentors or STAR Office staff
- Corporate Tours (1 or 2 – Tentatively scheduled and based on student availability to attend based on their course load).
- Program socials (Typically scheduled at the end of each semester)