TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This grant, totaling $500,000, will establish a new scholarship program that assists incoming engineering freshmen.

The new program establishes a learning community that provides academic, professional and social support to enhance student retention. In addition, the program will influence students’ study habits, improving their success in scholastic endeavors and professional careers.

“Colleges must provide students with support structures and resources necessary to ensure their academic and professional success in engineering fields,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, associate dean for academic programs. “This grant will provide a model for future student support programs at UA and other institutions of higher learning.”

With the help of NSF, the College of Engineering will distribute 24 four-year scholarships to incoming freshmen majoring in electrical or civil engineering in fall 2007. The scholarships will be worth an average of $5,000 a year.

Most university scholarships target students with high academic credentials, relying heavily on ACT and SAT standardized test scores, but this process ignores a significant group of students who are academically talented and motivated. These scholarships, known as NSF S-STEM, will be awarded to students who may have modest ACT or SAT scores or come from rural or intercity districts that have limited offerings in mathematics and science.

One-third of the scholarships will target students who are eligible for placement into a Calculus course when they enter UA, and the other two-thirds of the scholarships will be awarded to students who need one or two semesters of pre-calculus. This allows those students with modest mathematical backgrounds to be eligible for the scholarship.

Students must also demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the scholarships. Applications are available online at http://sstem.eng.ua.edu/.

For more information, contact Dr. Harold Stern, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, 205/348-8669 or hstern@eng.ua.edu.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has about 1,900 students and nearly 100 faculty. In the last seven years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.