Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve collected answers to some of the most common questions we hear from Engineering Momentum students.
Our Helpful Guide to Understanding Everything Engineering Momentum
There’s no better time to jumpstart your engineering career! Let us guide you from high school graduation or community college to successful completion of a four-year engineering program, with mentorship and paid internship opportunities along the way. Transform your potential into success with our specialized programs, including our Engineering Summer Bridge and STEM Core pathways. Through comprehensive academic support and real-world experience, we empower students to surpass their initial academic goals and excel in competitive engineering fields.
FAQ Sections
Still have questions?
If you can’t find an answer to your question please reach out:
info.em@colorado.edu
General Questions
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Engineering Momentum is a partnership of local community colleges, 4-year institutions, and employers that seek to significantly increase the number of engineering professionals from groups typically underrepresented in engineering.
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The Engineering Momentum program is for recent high school graduates and early-career community college students interested in pursuing a future in engineering. The program is specifically for students currently at, or soon to be enrolled, at the five community colleges in the Denver-metro area.
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The five community college partners include Arapahoe Community College, the Community College of Aurora, the Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College.
* Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College will officially become part of Engineering Momentum in fall of 2025. Students from these colleges may still be qualified for a summer internship.
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The 4-year partners are CU Boulder and CU Denver.
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Engineering Momentum is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Many other corporations and National Lab partners are involved, such as Lockheed Martin Corporation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
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The application process differs for each part of the pathway: the Engineering Summer Bridge program, STEM Core, and Engineering Momentum internships. For detailed information please refer to the respective program's FAQ section.
Eligibility
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To be eligible, students must be currently attending or planning to attend one of the five Denver-metro area partner community colleges.
Additionally, when a pathway program includes the payment of a financial support (for example, the Bridge program or internships), students must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Students outside this criteria may participate in STEM Core, but will not be eligible to received any financial support from the program.
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At the time of community college attendance, you must reside in the state of Colorado to participate in Engineering Momentum.
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Students have the opportunity to receive a stipend for participating in Engineering Momentum summer programs. Stipend amounts may vary depending on the program and participant attendance. To receive any financial support, students must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Prospective Community College Students
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This free, optional program—offered over 4-weeks in the summer—gives you a jump start on your community college math course or offers a refresher for those who are still a bit shaky in math after their first year of college. Not only can you earn a summer income, but you'll also receive an excellent foundation for your engineering pursuits.
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Engineering Summer Bridge is designed for students graduating from high school or earning a GED by June 2025, who have an interest in engineering and plan to enroll at one of our partner community colleges. Also, students early in their community college career may also be eligible to attend.
Participants of Engineering Summer Bridge must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and enrolling into college algebra, or below, in fall 2025.
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No, Engineering Summer Bridge is for students who will have high school graduation degree (or equivalent) by June 2025.
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No, Engineering Summer Bridge is only available for students who will be attending the Community College of Aurora and the Community College of Denver starting in fall 2025.
Beginning in summer 2026, Engineering Summer Bridge will also be available to students who will be attending Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College.
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For summer 2025, Engineering Summer Bridge will be held on-site at the Community College of Aurora and the Community College of Denver.
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Engineering Summer Bridge is cancelled for Summer 2025
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Eligible students can earn up to $2,500 for completing the program. The amount is paid to students 2-3 weeks after the program ends.
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Yes, there will be a required Engineering Summer Bridge virtual orientation. Date TBD.
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Not necessarily, but you are expected to get to Engineering Summer Bridge daily and on-time, either by personal vehicle or public transportation.
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After completing the Engineering Summer Bridge program, participants are encouraged to join STEM Core at one of our Denver-metro area partner community colleges.
Current Community College Students
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STEM Core provides extensive student support, academic guidance, and mentorship that will help take your 2-year associate degree at one of our partner community colleges to the completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree in engineering.
STEM Core students also learn about available resources to help them navigate the educational landscape.
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STEM Core is currently available to students attending the Community College of Aurora or the Community College of Denver.
Beginning in fall 2025, STEM Core will be available at Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College.
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You must be a current or prospective student at one of our Denver-metro partner community colleges with an interest in obtaining an engineering degree.
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The University of Colorado has partnered with the Colorado Community College System to create transfer pathways for engineering students. For more specific information and transfer guides please visit the following websites:
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STEM Core itself is an academic-year program that provides student guidance and transfer support to a 4-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in many different types of engineering. The choice is yours!
Please see the Engineering Careers page to learn about different types of engineering.
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Engineering Momentum internships are for current Engineering Momentum STEM Core students at CCA and CCD and STEMbound students from ACC, FRCC, and RRCC.
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You must be enrolled in a STEM degree pathway, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Prior engineering or computer science coursework is required for an internship.
For more detailed information on the application process please view our internship page.
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Internships are hosted at the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Denver, Lockheed Martin, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Other internship locations may be added. Check back regularly for updates!
Internship distances vary by location. Please take this into account when selecting your internship location preference.
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Internships will run for a total of 10 weeks starting on May 27, 2025 through August 1, 2025.
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Interns will work 35 hours a week.
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This is primarily an office-based role with physical demands in line with working in an office environment: ability to sit or stand at a desk for extended periods of times, ability to use a computer keyboard, mouse, and screen for extended periods of time, and occasional lifting of office materials such as files, binders, and office supplies. An ability to get around to different campus locations will be necessary, including but not limited to building to building, parking lot to building, bus stop(s) to building.
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Yes! Students will be paid $7,600 for 10 weeks of full-time work (based on 35 hours per week).
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Most internships are in-person; however, modality may vary by internship site.
If remote work is offered, interns must still attend in-person a minimum of 3 days a week.
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There will be a required Engineering Momentum virtual orientation on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
There will also be a required in-person orientation on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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Not necessarily, but you are expected to get to your internship each day and on-time, either by personal vehicle or public transportation.
Please take into account internship distance before you select specific locations.
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Not necessarily, but you are expected to have access to a computer for orientation and virtual check-ins.
Internships
KEY DATES
OPEN
STEM Core
Applications open 07/15/2024 through 01/31/2025
KEY DATES
CLOSED
Paid Internships
KEY DATES
OPEN
Engineering Summer Bridge
Applications open 12/04/2024 through 06/21/2025