STEP Summer Program

To be an eligible applicant for the STEP program, you must:

• Be a resident of New York State
• Be a rising 8th - 12th grade student

• Meet the income guidelines set by the New York State Education Department. You are considered economically eligible if any one of the following applies:

  • Your parent/guardian’s 1040 Income Tax form (showing you as a dependent) meets the 2021–2026 STEP Income Eligibility Criteria, or

  • You qualify for free or reduced lunch at your school (verified by the school), or

  • Your family receives public assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) through the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or your county’s Department of Social Services, or

  • Your family receives family day-care payments through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services or your county’s Department of Social Services, or

  • You are in foster care or are a ward of the state or county.

In addition to the eligibility criteria above, students must also:

• Be available for all dates of the program

• Have an 85 average in Math and Science courses and overall good academic standing

Thank you for your interest in the Fordham University STEP Program. To complete the application in one sitting, please have the following prepared in advance:

• A scanned copy of your most recent report card for upload (PDF, Word, Image/Picture are acceptable).
• The complete email address of a math or science teacher that will complete a recommendation form on your behalf.
• Two short responses to the questions below.  Each response should be a minimum of 150 and no more than 500 words.
  1. What is the biggest problem that you see in your community/neighborhood? How would you solve it?
  2. What do you hope to gain from being a part of the Fordham STEP Program?
• Resume

Note: Parents will have to provide an electronic signature to verify the facts of the commitment to the STEP program.

• Is there an application fee?
  • No, there are no fees to apply to the STEP Program.
• Is there a cost to participate in the program?
  • Yes, there is a registration fee for the summer. Please reach out to program staff for summer pricing. 
• Are there other opportunities available for my child once they enroll as a STEP Scholar?
  • Yes, students have access to the following program components
    • Priority seating for continuing students
    • Priority seating in Kaplan SAT Program
    • Data Science/Business Analytics Internship
    • Research Program with university faculty
    • Fordham University college credit bearing course
• How are the days structured during the STEP Summer Program?
  • Monday - Wednesday:  scholars will attend morning math and science classes followed by an elective class in the afternoon.
  • Thursday - Field Trips
• Are there other academic offerings if I am not taking a math or science class in the summer or academic year?
  • Yes, for students who either are not taking a math/science class in the summer or academic year or are taking a math/science class at school that STEP does not offer, there will be a course available for those students.
• What is the attendance policy?
  • Due to the limited number of sessions, STEP scholars are required to be present for all sessions and classes. There is a limit of 2 excused absences before membership in program is jeopardized.