BLINN RECEIVES $562,500 GRANT FOR T-STEM SCHOLARSHIPS

  

In its second year of participation, Blinn College has been awarded a $562,500 grant to award scholarships that will continue to help students pursue high-demand careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Blinn will award 225 scholarships of up to $2,500 per student, through the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship Program. The program was established by House Bill 2910 in 2011 and is funded through a grant from the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, provided to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The T-STEM Scholarship program makes it possible for community and technical colleges to provide merit-based scholarships to qualifying, high-achieving students pursuing careers in STEM and related fields. This is Blinn’s second year of participation in the program after it was awarded $427,000 last year.

In a 2011 report, the U.S. Department of Commerce said STEM jobs had grown three times as fast as non-STEM jobs over the previous 10 years and that STEM workers command 26 percent higher wages than their non-STEM counterparts. The report noted that STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings even if they work in a non-STEM occupation.

“STEM jobs are in incredible demand as we grow the bio-technical and research industry in the Brazos Valley and throughout the state,” said Deborah Noe, grant and resource developer at Blinn College. “These scholarships will help students engage in their education full-time as they develop career pathways in majors that often lead to high-paying, high-demand jobs.”

As a participating college, Blinn is partnering with local business and industry to identify local employment needs in T-STEM occupations and develop part-time employment opportunities for scholarship recipients.

Eligibility requires:

  • graduation from a Texas high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a four-point scale in mathematics and science courses,
  • enrollment or the intent to enroll at Blinn and declared in a T-STEM instructional program, and
  • full-time student status while attempting 30 credit hours for the academic year (2014-15).

Eligible programs include Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Technician, Veterinary Technician, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Information Technology Administrator, Microsoft Certificate and Linux Specialist.

For more information or to apply for the scholarship, visit: www.blinn.edu/finaid/scholar.html.

Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis with the first 225 qualified applicants receiving awards. Students are encouraged to apply right away while funds are still available.

Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 18,413 students, Blinn ranks among the nation’s leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for its affordable educational excellence.

As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is currently implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled, “Destination Success: First-Year Focus,” which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.

Registration is currently available for the Fall semester. For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.  Story courtesy of Blinn College.

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