NSF Awards Scholarship Grant for Computer Science

NSF Awards Scholarship Grant for Computer Science and MIS Students

TAHLEQUAH - The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded the university a $171,874 grant to be used for scholarships for students majoring in computer science and management information systems. The NSF is making these funds available in response to the mounting shortage of graduates in these disciplines.

The scholarship will fund 25, two-year scholarships at $3,125.00 per year. Scholarships will be available through the 2003-2004 academic year.

This scholarship is available to any U.S. citizen, national, or alien admitted as a refugee student who has completed 50 semester hours of college work with an overall grade-point average of at least 2.5. Applicant's GPA in any computer-related courses should be a minimum of 3.0, and he/she must also qualify for financial aid as determined by the U.S. Department of Education Fee Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.

A few exceptions to the GPA requirements may be made by the selection committee in cases of extenuating circumstances if the committee is highly confident that future performance will be on a higher level.

Because women and minorities are vastly under-represented in these fields and because disabilities that prevent people form working in many fields are only minor inconveniences for those employed in CS and MIS positions, these three groups are viewed as a vast reservoir of human resources that can help fill the nations need for CS and MIS professionals. This grant is part of the NSFs effortt to tap that reservoir to serve the nations needs while at the same time providing tremendous opportunities for those involved. Qualified people fitting these criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.

All of last years NSU computer science majors who did not continue with graduate studies were employed directly upon graduation in positions paying in the $30,000 to well over $40,000 range. Many graduates of recent years reach the $50,000 to 60,000 range after only a very short time of employment.

The selection committee is currently accepting applications for these scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded to qualified applicants until all 25 are granted. Selection will be made on the basis of proven academic ability and interest in the field with preference given to women, minorities, and persons suffering from recognized disabilities.

For additional information and an application, please visit http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~nsfschol/. You can also contact Dr. Michael D. Bolton, associate chairman for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, at 918-456-5511, ext. 5841, or by e-mail at bolton@nsuok.edu.

5/28/02

Published: 2002-05-28 00:00:00