Florida International University was one of three state universities to receive $1 million in student scholarships to help erase any financial barriers for students and increase the number of graduates in computer and information technology, thanks to the National Science Foundation.
Along with the University of South Florida and University of Central Florida, FIU was awarded the five-year scholarship grant in support of the collaborative Florida IT Pathways to Success project that includes recruiting, retaining and providing scholarships and other support to academically talented students in IT-related disciplines who have financial need.
Located in Florida’s three largest metropolitan areas, the three universities comprise the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities.
Collectively, the colleges serve about half of the students and produce about 65 percent of the IT graduates in the State University System.
Historically, science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STE – degrees take longer to finish than other majors.
The scholarships program helps financially-strapped students, who are close to completing their degrees.
STEM is an important part of FIU’s contribution to workforce preparation, innovation and research for Florida and the nation.
The College of Engineering and Computing accounted for 56 percent of FIU’s STEM degrees in the last academic year, with more than 400 of those graduating with a degree in computer science of information technology.