What is Support for Talented Students, Inc. (STS)?

Support for Talented Students (STS) is a tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization whose sole purpose is to provide scholarships for summer enrichment programs for gifted and talented Central Ohio students currently in grades 3-11 from families who cannot otherwise afford the costs. Scholarships are available for all qualified students regardless of gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or country of national origin. STS has awarded scholarships for summer enrichment programs to hundreds of gifted and talented students in Central Ohio since 1983. 

 

Who can sponsor a student?  

Each applicant must be sponsored and referred to STS by a public or private school gifted coordinator, classroom teacher, school psychologist, guidance counselor, or other qualified educator for the child’s current school who can certify that the child has been identified as gifted or talented according to the Rule of the State of Ohio.  Click here for gifted identification criteria.

• In the Columbus City Schools district, students do not need to submit the sponsor’s form. STS will obtain the sponsor’s recommendation through the Columbus Gifted Program.

• In districts outside the Columbus City Schools, students must have the sponsor complete a recommendation from and verify the student’s gifted identification. Sponsors may complete that form from the STS website.

 How do I enroll in a program?  

• Parents must register separately for the desired Program.

• Student must be accepted to the Program and Session for the specified start and end dates.

• STS will finalize scholarship award.

TIP: If the program’s application process is available only online, and it requires a pre-payment (often by credit card) to complete its registration process, do not make the payment. You must contact the camp directly to request advice on how to complete the application process where an STS scholarship is pending. STS works with many Program Coordinators to help facilitate registration without parent’s full, direct payment.

 

What are eligible programs?

It is recommended, but not required, that the student attend one of the programs to which scholarships have previously been awarded (see the list of “Summer Programs”).  Their directors have worked with STS to register scholarship award winners into their programs.

You may, of course, apply for a scholarship to a program not on this list. However, STS will have to investigate the program to determine if the program meets STS’ criteria as an academically-, artistically-, or career tech-focused activity. If it fails to do so, the scholarship application will not be considered.

If the Program is not on the STS “Summer Programs” list, the application must also include a statement describing the program’s main goals and activities. Almost every program makes this information available online.

 

How do I choose program? 

Approved programs are focused on ACADEMICS, THE ARTS, OR CAREER TECH, such as:

• STEM: math/computer courses; science/engineering camps

• Art, theater, music, and dance instructional programs

• Writing and language workshops entrepreneurship studies

• Chess programs

Programs not approved:

• General-activities camps centered on recreation

• Sports camps

• Private military school programs

• Programs outside the continental United States

 

When will I be notified of the scholarship? 

Caregivers will be notified around mid-May of the application status. The enrichment programs will be notified of the student scholarships as well.

Questions: If you have any questions about the application process OR if you need assistance, please contact STS by email at: STSinfo@supportfortalentedstudents.org