YSU gets STEM scholarship money

Youngstown and Warren high school students will be recruited for the program.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s campaign to boost recruitment of students with aptitudes in engineering, science, mathematics and technology just got a $600,000 shot in the arm from the National Science Foundation.

The foundation has awarded a four-year, $600,000 grant to YSU’s new College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to fund scholarships under the NSF’s STEM Scholars Program.

The program will provide $5,000 scholarships for 28 or more STEM students for up to four years, said Robert Kramer, assistant professor of Computer Science and Information Systems and leader of the grant application team. Funds became available in mid-February, and the grant continues through Jan. 31, 2012.

“Part of the program is trying to recruit underrepresented groups — minorities and women — who are less likely to go into the STEM fields,” said Kramer. “We developed some aggressive strategies to attract underrepresented groups, and we’re excited to have an opportunity to put them into action.”

Members of the grant application team will visit upper-level math and science classes in Warren and Youngstown high schools, including Youngstown Early College on the YSU campus, to encourage students to consider a STEM major at YSU.

Enrichment activities for the scholarship recipients, including a speaker series that would bring high-profile regional experts in the STEM fields to YSU, are also planned.

The NSF grant is a continuation of a previous $400,000 scholarship award, a two-year program secured by YSU in 2000 and offering assistance for only computer science, engineering and math majors.

On average, the NSF awards $50 million a year in scholarship grants to colleges and universities nationwide, said Kramer, and only about one-third of the grant requests are funded.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled or planning to enroll full time at YSU with a declared major in one of the STEM subject areas and working toward an associate, baccalaureate or master’s degree. A grade-point average of 2.8 or higher is required. Incoming freshmen may also qualify based on class ranking or college entrance examination scores.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

For more information or to apply, contact YSU’s Department of Financial Aid and Scholarships or Kramer at rwkramer@ysu.edu.