First-Year Scholars Program: Information for Accepted Students

Congratulations on becoming a First-Year Scholar! Please read the information below carefully.

Important Dates

DATE ACTIVITY/EVENT
Week of September 30, 2024 Mandatory Student Orientations (if you have questions about the Vendor form, please bring your bank information and we will walk you through it)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 by 11:59pm PI and Student Progress Reports due
Week of November 11, 2024 Office of Undergraduate Research sends first stipend ($500) for processing (payments are typically received 2-3 weeks later)
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 by 11:59pm PI and Student Mid-Year Program Evaluation due
Week of December 9, 2024 Office of Undergraduate Research sends second stipend ($500) for processing (payments are typically received 2 weeks later)
Week of January 6, 2025 Mandatory Student Orientation refresher
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 by 11:59pm PI and Student Progress Reports due
Week of February 17, 2025 Office of Undergraduate Research sends first Spring stipend ($500) for processing (payments are typically received 2 weeks later)
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 by 11:59pm PI and Student Year-End Program Evaluations due
Week of April 29, 2025 Office of Undergraduate Research sends final stipend ($500) for processing (payments are typically received 2 weeks later)

 

*Please note: International Student payments are taxed at a rate of 30%, and therefore your final payment will be less than what is noted.

Professional Development Workshop Attendance Details

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the Undergraduate Research Peer Ambassadors will be monitoring attendance to all professional development activities.

In order for your attendance to be counted, please be sure to follow the guidelines set in place:

  • You must be on time for all activities, arriving no later than 10-minutes after the start time
  • You must tap-in or sign-in upon arrival
  • You must stay for the duration of the activity
    • An attendance quiz will be given via D2L at the end of most activities. If you do not take the quiz successfully, your attendance will not count

What do I need to do to get the first Fall stipend ($500)?

  • Accepted students are required to attend one of the mandatory orientation sessions listed below. We highly encourage students to attend one of the in-person sessions to meet your fellow scholars!

    Please bring your bank information as we will walk you through the registration form required for direct deposit payments.

    • Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 11:00am-12:00pm
      • Kennesaw Campus
        • Academic Learning Center, Undergraduate Research suite 5500
          • Snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring your lunch
    • Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 3:30pm-4:30pm
      • Marietta Campus
        • Atrium Building, room J 109
          • Snacks will be provided
    • Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 12:30pm-1:30pm

  • Due: November 6, 2024 by 11:59pm

    • Student Progress Reports are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

  • Due: November 6, 2024 by 11:59pm

    • PI Progress Reports are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.
  • First-Year Scholars should be working 5-10 hours on their assigned project. If this is not the case, please talk to your PI about the working hours schedule.
Please note: Your first payment may take longer to receive, as you are a new vendor in KSU's system. If you requested direct deposit, but your bank rejects the request, you will automatically be sent a paper check to the address you noted on your vendor paperwork.

What do I need to do to get the second Fall stipend ($500)?

  • Any of the options listed below will count as your Professional Development Activity, which should be completed by December 6, 2024.
    • Undergraduate Research Peer Ambassador Workshop(s)
      • Workshops are available and listed every month
    • Workshops offered by the Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships
      • Listing TBD
    • "Check-In" Session for Accepted Students
      • TBD
        • Academic Learning Center (Kennesaw Campus), OUR Suite 5500
      • TBD
        • (Marietta Campus) - TBD
    • Undergraduate Research Club Meeting
      • October 28, 2024;  5:30pm - 6:30pm
      • November 11, 2024;  5:30pm - 6:30pm
        • Academic Learning Center (Kennesaw Campus), OUR Suite 5500 OR MS Teams

  • The Fall Symposium of Student Scholars is a multi-day event consisting of oral, poster, and virtual presentations. View more information, including the 2024 schedule.

    Please be sure to tap-in at the check-in table of each session you attend, in order for your attendance to be counted. Failure to attend will mean forfeiting the second stipend.

  • Due: December 4, 2024 by 11:59pm

    • Student Mid-Year Evaluations are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

  • Due: December 4, 2024 by 11:59pm

    • PI Mid-Year Evaluations are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.
  • First-Year Scholars should be working 5-10 hours on their assigned project. If this is not the case, please talk to your PI about the working hours schedule.

What do I need to do to get the first Spring stipend ($500)?

  • Returning accepted students' GPA must be above a 2.0 going into the spring semester in order to remain in the program.

  • Accepted students are required to attend one of the Orientation Refresher sessions listed below. We highly encourage students to attend one of the in-person sessions to reconnect with your fellow scholars!

    • Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 12:30pm-1:30pm
      • Kennesaw Campus
        • Academic Learning Center, Undergraduate Research suite 5500
          • Snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring your lunch
    • Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
      • Marietta Campus
        • J.M. Wilson Student Center, TBD
          • Snacks will be provided
    • Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:30pm - 3:30pm

  • Due: January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm

    • Student Progress Reports are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

  • Due: January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm

    • PI Progress Reports are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

  • Due: January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm

    • PI Progress Reports are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

What do I need to do to get the final Spring stipend ($500)?

  • All of the options listed below or any of the options listed in the previous cycle will count as your Professional Development Activity, which should be completed by April 25, 2025.
    • Undergraduate Research Peer Ambassador Workshop(s)
      • Workshops are available and listed every month
    • Workshops offered by the Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships
      • Listing TBD
    • Year-End Social for Accepted Students
      • TBD
        • Academic Learning Center (Kennesaw Campus), OUR Suite 5500
      • TBD 
        • (Marietta Campus) - TBD

  • The Spring Symposium of Student Scholars is held on the Kennesaw Campus and virtually.

    All First-Year Scholar students are required to submit an abstract for review and present their project at the Symposium.

    Abstract Deadlines:

    • In-Person Oral Presentation or Performance Abstract Submission Deadline:
      • Wednesday, February 26, 2025 by 11:59pm
    • In-Person Poster Presentation, Visual Arts Display, or Virtual Presentation Abstract Submission Deadline:
      • Wednesday, March 3, 2025 by 11:59pm

    Symposium Schedule:

    • Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 9:00AM-6:00PM
      • In-Person Oral Presentations or Performances
    • Thursday, April 17, 2025, 9:00AM-5:00PM
      • In-Person Perter Presentations and Visual Arts Displays
    • Friday, April 18, 2025, 12:00pm-5:00pm
      • All Virtual Presentations

    View more information on abstract submissions and the Symposium.

  • Due: April 23, 2025 by 11:59pm

    • Student Year-End Evaluations are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.

  • Due: April 23, 2025 by 11:59pm

    • PI Year-End Evaluations are to be completed via InfoReady. Please check your email for a direct link.
  • First-Year Scholars should be working 5-10 hours on their assigned project. If this is not the case, please talk to your PI about the working hours schedule.