I-CAAN: Fostering Confidence, Academic Achievement, and Networking to Strengthen the STEM Workforce is a scholarship and student success initiative funded by the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NSF S-STEM) program, award number 2527077. The I-CAAN program provides financial assistance and supportive programming to foster the educational and career success of academically talented, economically-disadvantaged students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science at Lawrence Technological University.
For questions about the I-CAAN program, please contact Dr. Shannon Timmons, S-STEM grant principal investigator, at stimmons@ltu.edu.
The key features of the I-CAAN program are:
The I-CAAN scholarship provides $15,000 in tuition support per year, for a total of $60,000 across a 4-year course of study. First-year, full-time students starting at LTU in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027 who meet the Eligibility Guidelines are encouraged to apply. Please review the Application Process for more information.
The I-CAAN summer bridge program helps prepare scholars for their upcoming classes through interactive mathematics and composition workshops. This week-long program will also focus on building camaraderie within the I-CAAN cohort, fostering a sense of belonging within the larger LTU campus community, and introducing students to research and careers in STEM fields.
The I-CAAN program establishes a new living-learning community within an LTU residence hall, which will build social connectedness and promote academic success. While I-CAAN scholars are encouraged to live on campus, all program participants (including commuter students) will have access to a common space in a residence hall to help build a community atmosphere and cohort cohesion.
Monthly group “Mentor Meals” are designed to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie amongst I-CAAN scholars and their faculty mentors. During these meals, scholars meet with their mentors in a relaxed setting where they can ask questions about coursework, career paths, research opportunities, and student support services at LTU.
This innovative seminar series is designed to cultivate a sense of belonging and encourage growth through the universal experience of storytelling. Guest speakers from diverse STEM fields will discuss the events that led to their interest in STEM and as well as their academic and career journey. Dessert receptions following the seminars provide an excellent networking opportunity for students.
This biannual event helps prepare I-CAAN scholars for their transition to employment or graduate school through the exploration of different STEM career paths. A diverse array of STEM professionals meet with scholars to discuss their career journeys, including challenges encountered and overcome. Scholars have an opportunity to network with these professionals at a reception following the panel session.
I-CAAN scholars are incentivized to participate in student support programs through the Blue Devil Bucks program. If scholars attend at least three of these events each semester, they will receive a $250 credit to use at the LTU bookstore to help them purchase textbooks and supplies.
Students must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for I-CAAN program admission and the associated scholarship.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Applicants must have a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and provide the names and contact information of two teachers or mentors who can submit recommendations attesting to their academic skills, curiosity, motivation, and work ethic. In addition, applicants must submit answers to two short essay questions discussing their interest in STEM as well as their academic and career goals. Please see Application Process for more information about requirements.
Applicants must meet Pell eligibility requirements and have demonstrated unmet financial need, as determined by the LTU Office of Financial Aid. Unmet financial need is calculated by considering the total cost of LTU attendance, Student Aid Index (SAI), and other grants and scholarships an applicant may have (excluding loans and work), as reported on the applicant’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please note that LTU’s FAFSA code is 002279.
The I-CAAN program is for students entering LTU as a first-year, full-time student in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027 semesters. Applicants must declare one of the following majors (with or without an optional concentration) in their initial LTU application to be eligible for admission to this program:
Up to 12 students will be accepted to the I-CAAN program to begin their studies in Fall 2026, with an additional 12 students accepted for Fall 2027. While LTU and the I-CAAN program have a rolling admission policy, applying early helps applicants secure a spot within the program and avoid being placed on the waitlist if it reaches capacity.
Apply to LTU with via the general LTU application, either using the Online Application or the Common App. To be eligible to participate in the I-CAAN program, students must declare a major of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematical sciences, or computer science, including optional concentrations within these majors.
For best consideration for the I-CAAN program, students should complete the general LTU application by January 1, 2026.
Questions about the application process? Want to apply to LTU for free? Contact I-CAAN Program Coordinator Erika Forest at eforest@ltu.edu!
In order to determine eligibility, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
During the FAFSA application process, I-CAAN applicants must list Lawrence Technological University as a school that may receive FAFSA information using LTU’s FAFSA School Code: 002279. If you are a Michigan resident, you must place LTU first on the list (before any other out-of-state schools).
LTU’s FAFSA code is:
002279
If applicants meet citizenship, GPA, major, and financial need requirements, a link to the secondary S-STEM application is sent to the email address they used to apply to LTU.
The secondary application includes two short essay prompts to be completed by the applicant to assess resilience, persistence, and authenticity. Applicants must write a response (250 word maximum) to each of the following two questions:
The secondary application also includes the identification of two teachers or other mentors who know the applicant well. The recommendation form will ask teachers and mentors to provide feedback on the applicant’s academic skills, curiosity, motivation, and work ethic via a 10-question Likert-scale survey.
For best consideration for Fall 2026 admission, students should complete the secondary I-CAAN application by February 1, 2026.
The essay responses are scored by at least two members of the I-CAAN leadership team using a Likert-scale evaluation. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements and score 3.5/5 or higher on their recommendation form responses and essay prompts will be invited for a phone interview with the I-CAAN leadership team.
The first round of applicants will be notified by the I-CAAN team regarding an invitation to participate in a phone interview by March 1, 2026. Applicants applying later in the application cycle will be notified regarding their application status within one month of secondary application submission.
Applicants invited to the phone interview stage of the application process will speak with members of the I-CAAN leadership team about their interest in STEM, academic and career goals, and motivation for joining the I-CAAN program. Phone interviews will be scored for thoughtfulness and motivation by at least two members of leadership team using a 5-point Likert-scale evaluation.
The initial round of phone interviews will take place by March 15, 2026. The I-CAAN leadership team will work with applicants to determine a mutually agreeable date and time for the interview. Applicants applying later in the application period will have their phone interview scheduled within two weeks of the phone interview invitation.
Following phone interviews, the 12 top-scoring applicants will be selected for admission into the I-CAAN program. The first round of applicants will be informed of the final decision by April 1, 2026.
Accepted students must complete and sign a letter of intent stating their intention to attend Lawrence Technological University as part of the I-CAAN program. The letter of intent must be signed and submitted by May 1, 2026.
Students who are not initially selected may be added to a waitlist, with higher scoring students given priority for acceptance. Waitlisted applicants will be notified of their acceptance as spots become available.
The I-CAAN program is led by a collaborative team of faculty and staff from across LTU’s College of Arts and Sciences. The leadership team provides I-CAAN scholars with the mentorship and resources they need to succeed at LTU and prepares them for the next steps in their career after graduation.
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