| Due to the fact that American students have | | | | tuition assistance to college students pursuing |
| recently scored poorly in the science and math | | | | teaching careers in math and science. |
| sections of standardized tests, President Obama | | | | Currently, the state provides $80 million to |
| recently unveiled initiatives to improve educational | | | | universities to help them increase their graduation |
| programs in the science, technology, engineering and | | | | rates, particularly in STEM fields. Prospective |
| math (STEM) fields. These efforts have been | | | | employers in these industries are launching similar |
| extended to the higher education sector, inspiring | | | | initiatives to entire students to pursue STEM-related |
| many organizations, institutions and state | | | | careers. For example, Tech Collective, a Rhode |
| governments to promote education on STEM | | | | Island-based information technology (IT) and |
| subjects. | | | | bioscience association, recently partnered with three |
| Fortunately for students, many of these initiatives | | | | other organizations to launch scholarship programs for |
| include financial incentives to help them complete | | | | students working toward degrees in IT-related |
| campus-based or online degree programs in these | | | | subjects. |
| fields. Texas Governor Rick Perry recently announced | | | | A total of five scholarships worth $7,000 are available |
| his support of a $100 million program to help students | | | | through three different awards. The Lighthouse |
| pursuing STEM-related degrees or certificates. | | | | Computer Services/Tech Collective scholarship will |
| The STEM Challenge Scholarship program is intended | | | | provide two $1,000 awards to high school or college |
| to foster regional partnerships between colleges, | | | | students who are working pursuing careers in the IT |
| school districts and employers in order to create and | | | | industry and have some affiliation with the U.S. |
| distribute financial aid awards in order to attract | | | | military. |
| students to degree programs and careers in related | | | | The company will partner with Fibertech Networks to |
| industries. | | | | award a $3,000 scholarship to a female high school |
| Governor Perry said the scholarship program is | | | | student planning to enroll in a college degree program |
| intended to "encourage higher education institutions | | | | in information systems, computer systems or |
| to design STEM programs that meet local employer | | | | another IT-related field. Female and minority students |
| needs, while providing Texas students the | | | | who demonstrate commitment, dedication, academic |
| opportunity to pursue the education they need as | | | | excellence, leadership and determination are eligible to |
| they fulfill their potential." He also proposed a plan to | | | | apply for the $1,000 Doug Schwinn/Tech Collective |
| expand the state's UTeach program, which provides | | | | Scholarship. |