FAQ

 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:

  • Financial support, including funding for transportation, meals, and textbook costs
  • Access to personal academic coaching to support your academic and career goals as you complete your degree program
  • Access to peer and faculty mentors to support your academic and professional development
  • Access to Supplemental Instruction (SI) to provide academic support both in and outside of the classroom
  • Participation in our Summer Programs, where you will be able to interact with faculty, students, and program staff to acclimate to William Paterson University and your respective fields of interest
  • Opportunities for research, internships, and other forms of work-based learning to refine your career-readiness skills

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 2024 cohort is due by Sunday, June 23, 2024. Early application submission is strongly encouraged!

 First-time, full-time, first-year students must participate in the Summer Bridge Program for First-Year Students, which will run for 10 days starting Monday, July 8, 2024 and ending on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Transfer/Current WPUNJ students must participate in the Summer Research Experience for Transfer/Current Students, which will run for five weeks starting Monday, July 8, 2024 and ending on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Both programs run 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. New students who choose to reside on campus for the Summer Bridge Program will not receive a transportation stipend. Specific location information, including parking information, will be shared with students once they are accepted into the program.

There is an optional, no cost summer housing program available to First-time, full-time, first-year students who participate in the Summer Bridge Program for First-Year Students. Please see further information in the FAQ section to learn more!

 Unfortunately, attendance for the Summer Bridge Program for First-Year Students or the Summer Research Experience for Transfer/Current Students are mandatory requirements to be a part of the ASPIRE Program. If you have any conflicts regarding attendance, please note them on your ASPIRE Program Application form and our team will reach out to discuss them further with you.

All commuter-based students in the Summer Bridge Program & Summer Research Experience will be provided with a meal voucher for lunch each day of their program. Breakfast and dinner will not be provided to commuter students; please plan accordingly.

Incoming Freshman students who choose to participate in the optional summer housing program for the Summer Bridge Program will be provided snacks on Sunday evenings; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on full days on-campus; and breakfast and lunch on days of departure. These meals are at no cost to the student and are paid for by the ASPIRE grant.

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

After the completion of a student’s respective summer program, they 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. 

 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:

    1. Week 1: 
      • Check-in Sunday 7/7 by 7 PM (provided snacks)
      • Reside on campus Monday 7/8 through Thursday 7/11 (provided breakfast/lunch/dinner 7/8 – 7/10)
      • Move out will be Thursday 7/11 by 4:30 PM (provided breakfast and lunch)
    2. Week 2: 
      • Move-in Sunday 7/14 by 7 PM (provided snacks)
      • Reside on campus Monday 7/15 through Thursday 7/18 (provided breakfast/lunch/dinner 7/15 – 7/17)
      • Move out will be Thursday 7/18 by 4:30 PM (provided breakfast and lunch)
    3. Week 3: 
      • Move-in Sunday 7/21 by 7 PM (provided snacks)
      • Reside on campus Monday 7/22 through Tuesday 7/23 (provided breakfast/lunch/dinner on 7/22)
      • Move out will be Tuesday 7/23 by 4:30 PM (provided breakfast and lunch)

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.   


If interested, the following three (3) requirements MUST BE MET BY FRIDAY 7/5 in order to participate in this residential component of the Summer Bridge Program:
1. Need to submit all required immunization documents and be cleared by WPU staff to live in the dorms
2. Need to obtain a campus ID badge to enter the dorms. Our staff will be assisting in this process; please watch out for future communications regarding obtaining this ID card.
3. Any students who need access to housing accommodations must contact the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) and complete the required paperwork and documentation process. Further information can be found at THIS LINK.

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.