Per the California Community College Chancellor's Office, certain criteria must be met for a student to be accepted as an official MESA Scholar and to receive program benefits. 

MESA Scholars must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or Dreamer/DACA recipient; AND
• Must not hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; AND
• Must declare as their official major a STEM field that requires calculus; AND
• Must intend to transfer to a four-year institution; AND
• Must complete an educational plan (SEP) (before or after joining MESA); AND
• Must participate in our program activities and sign student agreement.

MESA Scholars must meet ONE* of the following educational criteria:

• Be a first-generation student (meaning neither of your parents have a bachelor’s degree or higher, in any subject or from any country); OR
• Have attended a high school with low or very low graduation and math performance rates, as identified by the California School Dashboard.

MESA Scholars must meet ONE* of the following financial criteria:

• Receive the California Promise Grant (formerly Board of Governors fee waiver), a federal Pell Grant, a Cal Grant Award, state aid through the California Dream Act Application, Federal Work Study, CalFresh, GI Bill benefits, or other need-based, subsidized Financial Aid; OR
• Participant in EOPS, CARE, or CalWORKs; OR
• Live with a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines; OR
• Be a recipient of TANF (or have a parent or guardian who receives TANF).

*There are limited, special circumstances under which a student may be admitted as a full MESA Scholar even though they may not meet any of the above educational or financial criteria. We recommend students submit a MESA interest form if they think they meet most of the eligibility criteria, as sometimes we are able to make exceptions, or at the least can refer students to comparable resources.
 

Which majors at Moorpark College are considered to be calculus-based STEM majors?

The following science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) majors at Moorpark College are calculus-based and therefore qualify for MESA:

• Biological Sciences/Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Physics

How do I apply to become a MESA Scholar?

Complete the Moorpark College MESA Program Interest Form. A MESA Program representative will follow up with more information and next steps in the consideration process.