U of Montana Lands Millions For Low-Income Student Scholarships

Montana industries that rely on science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates are growing faster than national competitors.

That has created a need for skilled labor to facilitate the state’s economic growth.

WHAT "S-STEM" MEANS FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS

UM News Service tells us that the National Science Foundation recently awarded nearly $5 million to the University of Montana and its partners to fund scholarships for low-income graduate students studying engineering or natural resource fields. 

UM graduate programs are poised to address the need for workforce growth by helping low-income students – who make up a quarter of Montana’s university population – succeed in their pursuit of advanced degrees by providing financial support, as well as structured mentoring to address barriers faced by students in rural areas.

The scholarship program is titled S-STEM: Supporting Talented, Low-income Graduate Students via Internships while Completing their Degrees. It aims to support students while they attain a graduate degree in eligible fields and move into the workforce, as well as understand and distribute information about factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue STEM careers in a low population-density state.

The program also aims to strengthen institutional, business and community support for low-income students to succeed in STEM graduate education and careers.

READ MORE: U of Montana Scores A+ Grade in Elementary Teacher Preparation

WHO AND FOR HOW MUCH?

The NSF award will support senior students in natural resource fields at UM as they transition to graduate school, internships and research work. The scholarships are expected to cover about $13,000 to $14,000 per student per year. The program expects to fund four cohorts over six years, each with up to 16 students, for 64 students total.

Barriers to graduate school for low-income students include insufficient finances, concerns about student debt and pressure to work full-time after completing an undergraduate degree. They may also have less access to social and cultural capital and limited knowledge of the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school.

Libby Metcalf, dean of UM’s W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, was quoted in the press release as saying, “We believe that by offering greater financial stability, hands-on experience and network building, combined with focused mentoring, we can increase graduate enrollment and provide low-income students with the tools they need to succeed in Montana’s growing STEM industries.”

Lots more information about this generous gift can be found on this page of the University of Montana website.