Scholarships are being awarded to academically talented, financially needy students majoring in the biological sciences, chemistry, computer aided drafting and design, computer science, electronics technology, engineering, geosciences, information technology, mathematics or physics. The number of scholarships that are being awarded annually varies from twenty five to fifty depending upon the individual need and the availability of financial aid from other sources. Twelve of the twenty two partnering school districts are classified as high poverty areas; hence, the scholarships are serving as a powerful recruiting aid and are resulting in increased numbers of students entering higher education programs in STEM subjects. Retention and graduation rates are also increasing.
