DSU Awarded Grant to Help Low-Income STEM Students

A new scholarship opportunity is available for Dakota State University students majoring in the STEM fields of computer science, cyber operations, artificial intelligence, or math.

Through a National Science Foundation grant of almost $1 million, Dakota State University students will have the opportunity to receive financial assistance and other support with Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) funding. This initiative is designed to support the academic and professional growth of talented STEM students, particularly from low-income backgrounds, such as those eligible for Pell grants.

 The six-year grant program is a joint project between the College of Arts & Sciences and The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. It will impact six DSU students in each of two cohorts,  providing each student up to $15,000 annually for up to five years, totaling $75,000 in scholarships for each student. Applications will be accepted this spring, with the first cohort to start in fall 2024. 

The grant provides support structures to carry students through their studies.  Examples include help with certain math courses, supplemental instructions, study groups, and intensive advising. The grant also provides for undergraduate research opportunities, including funding for conference travel and research publication costs.