Senior Receives National Scholarship

Posted by: admin on February 3, 2016, One Comment

Money is a factor that plays a big role in nearly every college student’s life. Sifting through financial aid and student loan documents can seem daunting. Paying for an education is an overwhelming task that nearly every student faces. East Stroudsburg University (ESU) senior Zachary Cappella was very familiar with that responsibility. Unwilling to incur debt that will take him years to repay, he took matters into his own hands and is now one of 207 college students granted a scholarship from the United States Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) program.

Cappella, a computer science and computer security major, became aware of the scholarship when a friend from ESU told him about his personal experience with the SMART program.
“My friend was the only other student at ESU who won the scholarship,” said Capella. “After hearing the benefits, I knew I had to apply.”

The SMART program is for students in science, mathematics and related fields. Winners of the scholarship receive full tuition waivers, internships, health insurance and a stipend rate up to $38,000. SMART’s hefty rewards don’t come easy. Applicants are required to submit several personal essays, three letters of recommendations and attend multiple interview sessions.

“The process was extremely long,” said Capella. “It took a lot out of me with no guarantees.”

After finishing the process in 2015, Cappella was notified that he did not receive the scholarship. Resilient, he applied again. But this time he got it.

“Doing the entire process over again was exhausting. Being able to win just validated all of the work I have done at school,” said Cappella.

The money Cappella receives from SMART will help support him financially during his last semester at ESU. “It’s a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders,” he said. “This scholarship means everything to me.”

In addition to Cappella’s monetary compensation, he is also guaranteed post-graduation employment.

“After I graduate from ESU I get to start working immediately as a civilian software engineer for the Air Force. It’s awesome,” he said.

Cappella’s persistence and attitude rewarded him with the satisfaction of knowing exactly where he will be post-graduation.

“Any student can do it.,” he said. “You may get denied once or twice, but it’s worth it. This experience has been absolutely incredible.”

One Response to “Senior Receives National Scholarship”

Kim and Mario Cappella

Posted February 3, 2016 at 5:24 PM

We are so proud of what you have accomplished and look forward to seeing what is yet to come.