LSUS receives another $400,000 from NSF for scholarships 11/12/02

LSUS has been awarded a second $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to fund scholarships for qualified students who want to pursue degrees in computer science, mathematics and engineering.

The grant provides for 30 scholarships a year, beginning in the spring 2003 semester. The $3,000 scholarships are awarded $1,500 at a time in each of two semesters. The first scholarships under the companion $400,000 NSF grant were awarded last spring.

The NSF project provides scholarships, focused enrichment activities and support services to academically talented but financially disadvantaged students, including non-traditional students and those from under-represented groups. The scholarships are intended to promote full-time enrollment and academic success in the Master of Science in Systems Technology program and in undergraduate computer science, engineering and mathematics curricula.

The project encourages more students to pursue degrees in advanced technology needed for national competitiveness in the global economy of the 21st Century. Students’ classroom and laboratory experiences are enriched through advanced technology use, research training and interaction with industry partners.

The $3,000 per year scholarships can be used with other financial aid and low/moderate income students are encouraged to apply. At least half of the scholarships assist students from under-represented groups.

Funding for the NSF program comes from the $500 fees that U.S. employers pay to the federal government for each high-tech immigrant employee “imported” under the H-1B visa program established by the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. The goal of the scholarship program is to train American students to provide the high-tech skills needed to assure national competitiveness.

For more information about the scholarships, contact Dr. Paul Sisson, chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, at 318-797-5377 or psisson@lsus.edu. An online application may be found at: www.lsus.edu/sc/math/csems/index.htm.